The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-09-08
The Frontier Wedding.
BY THE MINISTER'S w1rr

BY THE MINISTER'S WIFE
One day in early winter, my husband
received summons to Burke's settle
ment, to unite couple in the bonds of
wedlOck. 1t was especially requested
that his wife should accompany him, as
we should be expected to remain all
night and partake of the festivities.
1t was twenty miles TO the settlement,
and we reached the log house of Mr..
Burke, the father of the expectant bride,
about noon. \ dozen tOw-haired chill
dren were at the door, waiting our
arrival. They telegraphed the news
instantly.
''Marm marm here's the elder and
his wOmanl They're nothing but fOIksI
She's got a mans hat on, and turkey
wing in front of me; his nose is Just like
dad dis-croOked as cOwhorn squash ~
Alas for Mr.. Morrison's aquiline nose,
of which he was little vainl
''Sam ~ cried 4 shrill female voice
from the interior of the cabin, "run out
and grab the rooster, and I'll clap him
into the pot Sal, you quit that churn
and sweep the floor. Kick that corn
dOdger under the bed. Bill, you wipe
the tallOw out OF that cheer for the min
ister's wife, and be spry about it.u
Further remarks were cut short by our
entrance.
Mrs. Burke, in calico short gown, blue
petticOat, and bare feet, came forward,
wiping her face on her apron.
''HOw do you do, elder? How dye
do, marm Must excuse my head;
hain't had a chance to comb it since last
week. Work must be did, YOU know.
Powerful sharp air, hain't it? Shoe,
there! Bill, drive that turkey out of the
bread-tTough. SAL take the lady's
! things. Set right up to the fire, marm.
Hands cool? Well, just run 'em in
Bills hair-we keep it long a purpose. u
Bill presented his shaggy head, but |
declined with an involuntary shudder.
"Lawk, if she ain't shivering ~
cried Mrs. Burke. Bring in some more
wood. Here, marin, take this hot corn
dodger inter yer lap; it's as good as a
sOapstone."
\ fearful squall announced the execu-
tiOn of the rooster, and shortly after he
was bouncing about in Il fOur-quart
kettle, hung over the fire. Sal returned
to her churn; but the extraordinary
visitor must have made her careless. for
she upset the concern, and buttermilk K
went skimming over the floor.
Grab the ladle, Bill,n cried Mrs.
Burke, ''and help dip it up. Take keer!
| don't put that snarl of hair in. Strange
how folks will be so nasty. Dick, do
keep your feet out of the buttermilk; il
won't be fit for the pigs when the but
ter's gathered. Drive that hen out.
| quick she's picked up pound already.
There, Sal, do try and churn a little
more keerful. If you are gwine to be
| spllced tomorrow, you need mt run crazy
about it,"
~ advise you to dry upP' remarked
the bride elect, humping away at the
ehurn.
BY the time / had fairly warmed,
dinner was ready, and you may be sure
did not injure myself by Over-eating.
Night came on early, and after so
eial chat about the event of the morrow,
| signified my desire to retire.
Sal lighted a pitch-knOt, and began
climbing n ladder in one corner Of Tho
room; l hesitated.
"COme on" said she; ''dOn't be afraid
oSam and Bill and Dick, and ali tho raSt
of We. duck your heads while the eIdarss
wife ooes up. Look out for boar,js
marin: and mind, or you'll smash y,o,,i.
brains out against the beami Take keer
of the hole where the chimbIv comes
through
Her warning came too late. caught
my foot in the end of a board, stumbled,
andfell headlong through what appeared
TO be interminable space, but it was only
to the room | had just left, where was
saved from destruction by Bill, who
caught me in his arms, and set me on
my feet, remarking cody: "What made
you come that way? We generally use
the ladder"
/ was duly eOmmiserated, and at last
got to bed. The less said about that
night, the better. Bill and Dick, and
four others, slept in the same room with
us, and made the air vocal with their
snoring. / fell asleep, and dreamed
was being shot from the muzZle of n
cOlumbiad, and was awakened by Mr..
Morrison, who informed me that it was
morning.
The marriage was TO take place before
breakfast, and Sally was already clad in
her bridal robes when l descended the
ladder
She was magnificent in a green calico
over crinoline full four inches larger
than the rest of her apparel; n white
apron with red strings, blue stockings, a
yellow neck ribbon, and white cotton 1
gloves. Her reddish hair was fastened |
in pug behind, and well adorned with I
the tail-feathers of the defunct rooster
before mentioned.
When it was announced that Lem
Lord, the groom, was coming, Sal dived
behind a coverlet, which hung across
one corner of the room to conceal sundry
pots and kettles, and refused to come
forth. Mr.. Lord lifted one corner of the
curtain and peeped in, but quickly re-
treated with few sharp words from
Sally, advising him to mind his own
business
Lemuel was dressed in blue with
bright buttons. The entire suit had
been made for his grandfather, on a ]