The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-06-06
THE iSTORT-TELLER.
EDITH WELDON,S MARRIAGE.

Ten years ago it was less the custom
than at present for people to be married
in church. At that period the good
Clergyman was wont to come to the
residence OF the brides father" where,
in the presence of few intimate friends,
the ceremony would take place, after
which, perchance, would follow re-
reception for the less favored "ten
thousand :" and it was upon this plan
that Edith Weldon's was arranged to
take place. 1t was within the hour ap-
pointed for the marriage, and she stood
ready dressed in her pretty boudoir,
when her mother came in to attend to
the final touches in the fastening of the
bridal veil.
Has Dick come 7" asked Edith, stay
ing her mothers hand as she was about
to throw the finsy lace over her head.
"No, not yet, of course. Why. don't
look so pale, my darling, it is not time
for him yet"
"I wish he were here" sighed Edith.
Somehow l cannot help worrying
about him"
"You are nervous, DEAR that is all, !"
said Mrs. Weldon, kindly. He will be
here presently. Dick was never un-
punctual and he will scarcely be to-
night"
While the finishing touches are put to
the pretty toilet, n few words with re-
gard to the story of Edith are necessary.
The young bride was the eldest
daughter of one of our city merchant
princes, e lovely woman though per-
haps a shade more demurc than most
girls of her age. Yet III spite of her
quiet, and what some of her friends
called "old-fashioned" ways, they We're
somewhat surprised when she accepted
Mr. Richard Strong as her lover. He
was a country gentleman, scion of one
of the best families of which New York
can boast, and lived on his farm, which
he took great pains in cultivating. He
was man Of fine powers and high edu-
cation, but his agricultural life had led
to certain roughness of dress and
manner that was at times almost un-
couth. Then his face was Drowned by
the sun to a deep tan color his hands
were rough and brown, and he would
not wear gloves, and would wear heavy
boots. Despite this he was a tine-look-
ing man, with intelligent eyes and we'll
knit frame, and Edith had sense enough
to see beneath the somewhat rude eX-
terror cultivated mind and affectionate
heart
Mr.. Weldon was well pleased with his
daughters choice. Mr.. Stropg's family
was one for which he had the highest re-
spect, and Edith's simple tastes were
such as admirably fitted her for country
life. The young lady's city friends were,
however, rather contemptuous at her
lovers Enthusiastically bucolic appear
ance ; and some Of these who looked no
deeper than the surface declared that
he was only a country "clodhopper." +"
To tell the truth, Edith herself had been
little Mortified at Dicks utter indif-
ference to style, and had even urged him
to employ her fathers tailor.
go to Digby." he exclaimed, with
horror; "why he would make me look
like fool No; Bounderby always
has made my clothes, and Bounderby
always shall. He knows how to suit
me- ~
And SO even the wedding garments
We're made by Bounderby, who had a
large rhn of custom among the gentle
men farmers of New York, and under
stood how to make coats of excellent
material and no particle of style.
Edith's toilet was complete by half
past seven, and her mother and brides
maids left her to finish their own pre-
parations For a short time she was
alone, and sat listening to every ring of
the bell, hoping each one was Dicks,
and expecting to be called down to meet
him; as the moments went by and no
message came, her anxieties increased.
1t was certainly very strange that he
had not arrived. He was the very soul
of punctuality always sure to appear
at the precise moment appointed.
Presently people began to come into
the room; aunts, and cousins, and par
ticular friends; and there was much
chatting over the bride and her dress.
Edith put the questions, HAS Dick
come z" "Have you seen Mr.. Sh ongI"
until she grew ashamed to repeat them,
and her companions laughed at her for
her seemingly needless anxiety; AT
eight o'clock her mother joined her,
gorgeous in blue velvets and diamonds
"Well, Edith. the hour has come
"But not the man." added one OF the
gay girls, laughingly.
as not Mr.. Strong here yet" asked
Mrs. Weldon, in surprise.
81 think not"
"That is strange she replied, looking
Enthusiastically annoyed. "But don't