The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-09-21
A Wedding Experience.

had "fallen from the gracc'' of non-re-
sistance, and had been "dropped from
the roll.' He was therefore no longer in
'good and regular standing'' in that com
munion-if that can be called com
munon' where they do not observe the
communion. He retained, however, very
much of the plainness and bluntncss and
downright honesty for which that people
are provcrbial. Everybody knew him and
everybody respected him, as an indus,ri-
Gus, plain spoken, honest man. He owned
fine farm three miles from town, where
he lived with family who helped him to
carry it on. His farm was devoted most
~ to the dairy business. He also had an
i;cc-house, and supplied the heated deni-
zens Of the city with that luxury. He
was bachelor, and it was the general
opinion that whatever else he fell from he
would surely illustrate the perseverance
of the saints" in this. But his friends
were reckoning without their host in this
matter, Or rather without their hostess. In
fact, they did not know that there was "a
hostess To be counted H.
One day he drove up to my door on his
way home. He wanted to know if |
still kept up MY Sabbath afternoon ap-
pointment at the school-hous west of his
place, and if 80, at what time / should
pass his house on my way home" | re-
piled that - | still kept up the appoint
ment, and should return past his house
about five o'cIock.'' 'IIc did not wan,
~ put Inc to any trouble, but if could a.
well ar not he wished would call in as
passed. They had a little job they want
ed me to do" / guessed at once what
was wanted, and told him | would surely
call
So the next Sabbath, above five O'Clock
| turned up the lane that led 70 his house,
tied my horse to the fence, and went to
the door. | was admitted by the house
keeper and seated. The housc-work was
going on just as usual-just as in any
farm -housc-and | was received just a,
any stranger would be- There were evil
| IDENTIFY no unusual preparations going on.
| asked for my friend. He was out in
the yard milking. Should they call him.
| replied II could wait, but / wanted To
see him. began to feel little cheap
about the blunder | had made in suppoS-
ing it was wedding | was callcdto Had
it been some men, / should have suspect
had too much respect for me to play a
| joke on me in such a matter, 50 sup
posed it must be something he wanted to
| consult me about and had entirely mis-
understood him. In few minutes he
came in. He was in his shirt sleeves and
| ovcra]ls, and was carrying a trimming
pail Of milk. lie set the milk in the pan
| try, and the - women folks proceeded TO
strain it. He greeted me very heartily,
twas sorry to detain me, but would soon
be ready.'' He then introduced me to a
| bright looking young woman whom had
| noticed before, and presented her as the
cxpectant bride. With that they two dis
appeared in different directions, and
was alone again. In a few minutes they
returned, neatly dressed, and an
nounccd themselves as ready"
stripped the ceremony of all needless or
nament, and made it as business like as
possible, SO as to correspond with the sur
roundings. The house was quiet during
the service, but there was no gathering of
he family in the room, and the Interrupt
ton to the regular course Of affairs was
very brief indeed. caught the business
like spirit of the occasion, and excused
myself and departed. AS l mounted my
horse and turned down the lane ! saw the
new-made bridegroom emerge from the
house, reclad in the ovcralls before men
toned, and carrying the aforesaid milk
pail, and going out toward the barn to
finish " that milking" The COWS had
probably never known such an Interrupt
ton before. They had been kept waiting
not less than twenty minutes. No doubt
they wanted "dreadfully' to ask him
what the matter was. But doubt if ever
there was wedding in which less pre-
cious time was wasted, and where the
regular course of events was less dis
turbed.
The coolest part of the proceedings is
yet to be mentioned. After the ceremony
the bridegroom came up, and in frank,
business-l like way spoke of the fee. He
said :" if it would be just as satisfactory
to me, he oould like to gi0e me ney s'lmnser's
ice." This soas perfectly satisfactory to
me,' as it was quite liberal sum, and
the coolness of the operation was quite re-
frcshing. No artist could have finished
the picture better. There would have
been an incompleteness without this final
touch. With this added, the whole scene
seems like an inspiration of gcnius.-A
" Frontier MISSIONARY" in Christian
| Union.