Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-08-20

and Mrs. Verdant had busy time OF 1t
responding TO the invitations OF those
who enjoyed their hospitality at the
"house warming.
AT length Mr.. v. had time TO think OF
practical affairs, and he deemed II pru-
dent to visit his mamma-in-law. Mounting
good horse, he was soon at FairvleW,
where he was cordially received and hos
pitably entertained. After some CONVEX
sation on general matters, Mr.. V. timidly
said:
"You will not think it odd, Mrs. Mac
Sweeny, If / mention the matter OF
Bridget's fortune"
"Oh, dear, not at all; Bridget will
just have ESQ $3.50, and am afraid |
must ask you TO take it in installments.
Mr.. Verdant was speeches. He had
married in haste" and now he must re-
pent at leisure At length be gave strong
expression to his bitter disappointment,
but Mrs. MacSweeny cut his cloquence
short by coolly adding, sim thinking
now Of getting married. myself, and OF
course / must mind No. l."
Whether the installmeDts" were reg
ularly paid cannot say; but few per
sons were found shedding tears over Mr..
Verdant's failure to find a 1" fortune"
BY the way, it Is not the first time in
Ireland that both cows and sheep have
been borrowed with the object OF max
ing favorable impressions; and 1t is also
customary TO borrow china, silver tea
pots, etc, to give an appearance OF re-
spectability to the tea-table when enter
tanning Young men who are known TO be
in search OF wife. Parenthetically, j
may add that cows, sheep, etc, are often
borrowed by struggling farmers in order
TO make a good show--give an air Of
prosperity TO the place when the land
agent is expected to visit their farms.
These fortune hunters sometimes drive
hard bargains Farm is weighed against
farm, house against house, COW against
COW.
A man in the South of Ireland courted
fair girl, and at length spoke TO her
father on the subject OF marriage.
What fortune will you give herr"
asked Mr.. Tom Skinfint
She'll have the farm at the mill, a
horse, six cows and Gl00 $500 to furnish
a house." replied the father.
That's not enough" said Tom.
Well, not tenpenny piece more Will
| give"
Tom saw that he had firm gentleman
to deal with, and, after thinking over the
matter, he said:
"I'll take her If you throw the litter OF
pigs into the bargain"
The ten young grunters were promised
to Tom and the matter was settled,
In the North Of Ireland young man
was accepted as the future husband Of
an industrious girl In humble life. In
conversation with her father he asked:
How much will you be able to give
her?'
"The small farm at the crossroads,
ego $500, little furniture, and set OF
china"
could not you give moref"
"No / have had good deal of afilic-
ton, and I'm not as well off as was.
You're getting good wife, however, and
that is better than lands or money"
/ know she's good girl, and I'll take
her; but (glancing round the kitcben)
would like that big pat"
The big pot was thrownin, and in few
weeks the marriage was celebrated.
In Ireland the " go-betwcen" plays an i'm.
portant part in matrimonial affairs. Some
times he Is mutual friend, at other
times wandering dealer in ladies'
clothing or jewelry: and ! have known
the role to be filed by female mendi-
cant The "go-bctween" conveys mes
sages or carries love.letters. Indeed,
ministers sometimes try their hands at
matchmaking, and / have known some
of the matches made in this way turn
out very badly.
In the rural districts marriages are re-
garded with much interest, and If the
parties newly welded are popular, bon,
fires blaze from every emiDence, and
there are other marks Of rejoicing, The
people turn out in large numbers TO
manifest their good feeling, and it is
customary for either the bridegroom or
the brides father TO commission the
owner of the nearest public house to sup
ply refreshments to those who have
lighted the fires and cheered SO Justify.
In respectable, well-to do society the
wedding breakfast Is grand affair; the
brides cake is cut over her head and the
toast of =" the happy pair" is duly hon
ored-among the teetotalers In pure,
sparkling water Then the newly.mar-
ried pair get ready for their trip, and as
they make their appearance in the hall
they are assailed right and left with a
shower Of old shoes and slippers II is
considered lucky to throw an old shoe
after person who is starting on an inn
portant journey. After the usual affect
ing leave.taking they enter the carriage
and away they go to spend their honey
moon.
Marriage in Ireland is regarded as
sacred, Heaven-appointed rite; and the
beautiful island is dotted over with hap
Ply homes basking in the sunshine of
pure, God given lovel Long may Ireland
be celebrated for the valor of her sons
and the virtue of her daughters!-Cristy
Crayoa, IN Phrenologfcal Journal for
August.
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