Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-13
A RICH AND RACY LETTER.
How an American Girl Managed 10
Attend the wedding of the Prfn-
cess LUutse-A Daring Adventure.

mission to Windsor Chapel except by
stratagem. Papa and mamma had gone
to Paris to see 10 the traps we had
left behind us when we decamped so sud
denly, you know; and as soon as their
backs were turned ] set my Yankee wits
to work TO discover what amount of ma
neuver and brass, added to such brains
and good looks as your humble servant
is known to possess, wonld take me to
the royal wedding
OF course | must 90 alone, and dared
not speak of il except to mamma's maid,
q quick-witted French girl, who was de-
lighted at my conceit, and did her best
TO help me carry it out. We arose very
early yesterday morning, and Marie
dressed me in my lovely rose-colored
silk, with court, train and pannier,
trimmed With point. / helped myself to
mammals great solitaires and locket.
Marie did wonders with my long blonde
hair, and if | do "say it, who shouldn' t
say it," | looked as we'll and was dressed
as well, as the average young ladies saw
on that eventful day. / hesitated whether
to wear the pink or the lovely white silk
stars, and pale blue velvet over-dress,
with my pearls, but feared the latter
might be trying in broad daylight; Tor
evenin smoky London the sun shone out
in an unusual manner for the grand occa-
sion. Sulficeit to say that when stepped
into the handsomest carriage that Marie
could procure (for papa left me plenty
of money to have good time while he
was away, little thinking where ! should
bring up), was entirely satisfied with
my appearance; and il mamma had
gone, she would, have looked forty times
better than the old Queen in her black
satin dress and bare neck and arms.
But am getting ahead of my story, and
in fact am so flustered with what went
through yesterday, that wouldn't try to
write did | not wish to send this by to-
day s steamer to be in New York by the
first of April; and l must prepare for a
scene tomorrow, when papa and mann
ma come, for though we New York girls
do about as we please, fear the old
folks will think ! have gone little too
far for this time.
We went early to Windsor; my car
riage fell into line. The guards eyed
us rather sharply as we passed Il IL g gates,
but seeing a sprightly blonde in pink
silk, point lace and diamonds, with a
| understanding maid in attendance,
bowed and suffered us to pass on. 1t
was past their comprehension that a
young girl, attended by single servant
woman, without invitation, would dare
| enter that sacred enclosure. / now be-
gan to feel fearfully nervous, as l had
not formed the least plan for carrying
out my bold designs, when just as |
! alighted, party of gentlemen of the
clan Campbell were passing, and with
my most winning smile-and you know
/ can smile-I addressed one of them, a
pleasant, green-looking Highlander, in
full uniform, saying:
Excuse me, sir, but am separated
from my party, and would like to have
an escort to the chapel"
Certainly" said the good-natpred
fellow, and gave me his arm. Your
name, my lady" said Scott.
Lady Constance Percy, said un-
blushingly. ;,
| go, yesl of the Duchess family;
and nothing could exceed his polite and
respectful manner.
Well, it certainly was a frst-class we'd
ding, though in some things not much
ahead Of our New York affairs. The
young gentlemen flew about with compli-
ments and congratulations, though the
grand panjandrum himself, the High
Chamberlain, seemed over anxious to
keep down any excitement; and cold
chill ran over me as | thought how
quickly he would order one of the guards
to pitch me with his speer, by my CHG
non, over the castle walls did he know l
was only Caroline Hastings, of Madison
Square, performing the part OF Lady
Constance Fercyl But ! rallied, and
soon became absorbed in the pageant be-
fore me. After great flourish of trum-
pets, the heralds announced the approach
of the bridal party, the Prince OF Wales,
with his wife, brothers, sisters and
cousins, with the Duke and Duchess Of
Argyle, approached, and behind them
my gallant Highlander and myself passed
to the choir through the west door, the
noble relatives being ushered into the
gallery near the altar. Her Majesty,
the Queen, entered with the fair bride,
surrounded by her eight bridesmaids,
every one the daughter of an earl. The
bridegroom, with q low salqtatien, took
his place by the bride;
The Bishop of London performed the
ceremony, assisted by several high church
dignitaries. The royal mother gave
away her daughter. The handsome Mar
quis stood up brayely, saying will,
in such tone as any young man would
naturally assume could he marry a
Queens daughter, young and pretty at
that. will do him the justice to say
think he will love and protect her; she
promised to love, honor and obey him.
New times, these, when a subject Of
fers to protect and Princess promises
to obey
The boy choir sang, BLESSED are all
thew the nobleman and the Princess
were pronounced man and wife; the
rovnl family saluted each other with a
/ ho1y Kiss, ana tie entire party moved of
IN The tune OF Mehdelssohp' Grand
Wedding March" which quite took me
home again. The question Of a new
time for the occasion was warmly dis
cussed, but the Queen-who IS authority
in musical matter-decided that nothing
can exceed Mendelssohns
As the rehnue loft the chapel | knew
my time bad CONE TO escape heeiorEe I was
detected.
So ] gave scream Of delight and
spFang aaay from my Highlander Whom
| hope 20 meet agaih and thank for his
~. exclaimed Why, there :
sUu' s..fi.t se,f s-~aao me, thousand
thanks" and gathering up ~ "a-".
went pell-mell, between lords and ladies,
peers and duchesses, regardless Of their
astonishment and despite all the pro
prieties of the occasion, and remember
nothing more till Marie seized me,