American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-08-08
VOL. XXIV.

likes" put in the willy widow In a mont
the marriage was celebrated, and, after
sumptuous repast nj Fairview, the happ,
pair, accompanied by their friends-all oil
the /" Irish ting-car'-drOve to Il pref
ty resort about six miles distant. In th'
village inn some pleasant hours wer
spent. As the shades of evening wer'
gathering the bride and bridegroom had'
the party good-by and drove to Spring
vale, their future home.
Mr. Verdant's "house-warming" was
grand affair. His friends all believed
that he would receive Il large forum,
with his wife, and so they expected grea
shings. They were not disappointed
Gallons of Jameson's best were ordered
and goodies were provided for the ladies
n fiddler and IA piper were engaged, an6
in an adjoining barn dancing was the or
der of the night. Indeed, the "house
warming at Springvale, like O'Rourke's
wedding.
Will ne er be forgot
BY those who were there
Or those who were not
| \ round of parties followed. for Mr.
and Mrs. Verdant had busy time of il
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 it pru-
dent to visit his mamma-in law Mounting
| Il good horse, he was soon at Fairview
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 l mention the matter of
Bridgets fortune"
"Oh, dear, not at all; Bridget will
just have $50 $3.50, and l am afraid
must ask you to take it in installments."
Mr.. Verdant was speechlcss. He had
" married in haste" and now he must re-
pent at leisure At length he gave strong
expression to his bitter disappointment
but Mrs MacSweeny cut his elOquence
short by coolly adding, I'm thinking
now of getting married myself, and of
course | must mind No. |"
Whether the installments" were reg
ularly paid L cannot say; but few per
sons were found shedding tears over Mr.
Nerdant's failure to find 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 it 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. |
may add that cows, sheep, etc, are often
borrowed by struggling farmers in order
to make 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
a 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,
horse, six cows and 600 $500 to furnish
a house." replied the father.
That's not enough" said Tom.
well, not tenpenny piece more will
1 give"
Tom saw that he had a 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 a
with her father he asked:
How much will you be able to give
herr
1.-THE small farm at the crossroads,
eco ($100), little furniture, and set of
china"
could not you give mores"
No. l have had a good deal of afflic-
ton, and Pm not as well off as l was.
You're getting good wife, however and
that is better than lands or money"
g I know she's good girl, and I'll take
her; but (glancing round the kitchen) /
would like that big pot"
The big pot was thrown in, and in few
weeks the marriage was celebrated
In Ireland the g go-between" plays an i'm |
pOrtant part in matrimonial affairs. Some
times he is a mutual friend; at other
times a wandering dealer IN ladies'
clothing or jewelry; and | have known
the role to be filed by female mendi-
can't. The "go-between" conveys mes
;ages or carries love-letters Indeed,
ministers sometimes try their hands at
match making, and | have known some
Of the matches made in this way turn
)ut very badly.
1nthe rural districts marriages are re
garded with much interest, and if the
parties newly welded are popular, bon
Tres blaze from every eminence, and
here are other marks of rejoicing The
people turn out in large numbers to
manifest their good feeling and it is
he brides father to commission the
,wner of the nearest public house to sup
by refreshments to those who have
lighted the fires and cheercd so Justify.
In respectable, well-to-do society the
Wedding breakfast is grand affair the
,ride's cake is cut over her head and the
cast of " the happy pair" is duly hon
'red-among the teetOtalers in pure,
parking water. Then the newly mar
led pair get ready for their trip, and as
hey make their appearance in the hall
hey are assailed right and left with
hover of old shoes and slippers. 1t is
considered lucky to throw an old shoe
fter person who is starting on an i'm
'Ortant journey. After the usual affect
ng leave-taking they enter the carriage
nd away they go to spend their honey
noon.
Marriage in Ireland is regarded as a
acred, Heaven-appointcd rite; and the
beautiful island is dotted over with hap
" homes basking in the sunshine of
'ure, God given love, Long may ireland
'c celebrated for the valor of her sons
md the virtue of her aughtcrs,-CJTsfy
,r"yon, IN Phrenologicot Journol FIR
fugUst.