The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-07-08
AN ILLINOIS wEDDING.
At the age of eighteen l married a

At the age OF eighteen 1 married
minister
Eugene Morrison was my first and
last love; and though | must in truth
say that life of minister's wife is
a sort of refined slavery, still l had
never for a moment regretted my
choice
Eugene's first call after our marriage
was to the village of BrOokboroa small
place in the State of Illinois.
Our home was primitive, but | had
brought with me many luxuries from
the east, and we both were young
and hopeful, and life was not unpleas-
ant to Us.
/ |, OF course encountered the trials
4 Of most minister's wives. | was crit
icised and found fault with, until
wondered if / was not the inearna-
ton of original sin itself; and l fre-
quently had doubts wehther anybody
Y in the world was to be held response
bic for their Ill deeds but myself.
Nv theology was very dubious at
this time, and my faith frequent
IIy went down below low water
mark.
Ny Pensioners were exceedingly
faithful in pointing out the beams in
nv eyes. If ever woman had in
eentivss to reform in the advice of
! friends, then | had; hot day passed
but was admonished in some way
Miss Splitwood said dressed too
much.
A minister's wife ought to set a
better example before the younglings
of her flock. | laid her admonition
to heart. and took the trimming off
NV bonnet, and wore it with nothing
/ but the cape. Then Mrs. Hale called to
/ tell me that it was. a disgrace to the
parish. wearing such a dreadful bon
net People would think, | was Of
the Quaker persuasion. So Iput the
trimming on again Then old Mrs.
Stanlv met me on the street, and
said so much blue ribbon was unbe-
fitting the wife of preacher of the
gosple, so | laid the blue ribbn aside,
and appeared in brown
Aunt Sallie Lane called the next
dav before breakfast to know who Of
nv folks was dead-she had noticed
that my bonnet was trimmed in morn
ing.
i'll called on few Of my parish
they said l was gabbing, and pittied
poor Mr.. Morrison, dreadfuliy," if
| staid at home, was too stuck up to
visit poor folks
Just as sure as the supply in my
larder ran low, / would have an in
aux of company and the air of Brook
boro was favorable to the growth of
appetite.
All the struggling ministers, tract
agents, beggars and vagabonds came
to the parsonage; and we were oblig-
ed to entertain them, because Eugene
said, by thus doing We might enter
tain angels unawares.
In endeavoring to do his command,
gave shelter to man who called him
self colporteur, and who proved his /
right to wear rings by stealing dozen
silver napkin rings and a butter
knife, given me by my sister.
But did not intend to write my
own personal history-I was going /
to give you a glimpse Of an Illinois
wedding.
One fine day in the early winter,
nv husband received summons to
Burk's settlements, TO unite a couple 1
in the bonds of wedloek 1t was
requested that his wife 1
should accompany him, and we
should he 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. A dozen tow
haired children were at The door
awaiting our arrival They tele-
graphed the news instantly
Marin, marin, here's the elder and .
his woman. They're nothing but folks I
She's got a mans hat on, and turk
ey wing in the front Of it; and his
nose is Just like dads crooked as a
COW horn squashl"
Alas for Mr.. Morrisons aquiline 4
noise Of which he was little vainl
SAM" called shrill female voice
from the interior of the cabin. run
out and grab the rooster. and III
clap on the pot Sal, you quit that
churn aud sweep the floor. Kick
that corn dodger under the bedl Bill
you wipe the taller out 6f that cheer
for the minister's wife and be spry
about it!n
Further remarks were cut short by
our entrance.
Mrs Burke, in calico short-gown,
blue pettieoat, and bare feet, came
forward-wiping her face on her
apron.
How do you do, Elder? how dye
DO, marm? Must excuse my head
haint had no chance 10 comb it since
asst week Work must be did, you
know. Powerful sharp air, haint III 1
Shoe, tberei Bill drive that turky out
Of the bread trough Sal, take the
ady's things. Set right up to the
ire, marin. Hands cold2 Well, just
run EN- in Bills hair-we keep it long
a purpose.
Bill presented his shaggy head,
but declined With an involuntary /
shudder.