The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-08-15

were allowed until one Of them cried
enough" Unfair or foul play was
highly dishonorable, and the use of any
weapons was branded as cowardly and
disgraceful, and death and manning from
deadly weapons war scarcely ever known.
But the mosthilarious, joyful occasions
were weddings aud iniairs. Good mothers
really looked upon their growing-up
children as so many pledges Of their iuN
turc triumphs in their culinary and
housekeeping arts, for few Young ladies
ever past their teens without marrying,
and most younG men, unde,crod by the
present expense OF fine lady's parapher~
MALTA, sought hclp-mect for him in some
healthy, blooming young girl, and gems
orally found one.
At these weddings, all the relations and
most OF the ncighbors, were invited guests.
Every family in reach rendered their del>
icacics-nic'~narls and even their per-
soual services in contributing TO the gem
eral feast. The table groaned with meats,
fowls, custards: the whole families of
pies, cakes, dc. The marriage ceremony
WAS performed at early candle-light, and
the ftasting then commenced and con-
tinued until periec, safety easued, and
the table then cleared for plays or dane.
ing; according to the religious sentiments
OF the old folks.
Though not OF as refined polish as at the
present day, wit, sentiment and humor,
OF the clearest ring, produced repeated
bursts of loud, uproarous laughter. These
amusements We're participated in 10y all
till late bed time, when the Old folks left
for their homes, but the younger ones
continued their amusements until the
small hours, when they sought few
hours repose, where they could best find
it but the great excitement always came
or the next day in running for the bottle,
No matter how profound a secret the be-
trothel was considered, every youngster
in the neighborhood, who had a nag with
any pretentions to heetness, would learn
enough OF the secret TO put his nag in
training. The programme was as fol-
lows: The company met at the residence
of the bride to accompany the happy
pair to the infare; the cavalcade pro-
ceeded TO within one or two miles of their
destination, when they came to halt,
and all VINO wished to join in the race
repaired 10 the front, and when they all
answered themselves ready, the signal
was given and away they dashed, Eelter>
SHELTER; but the race was not always to
the swift. When there was large bends
or crooks in the road, perhaps the very
hindmost would take advantage of his
woodcran, and by a nigh cut he the first
to reach the door Of the bridegroom.
At this door the jolly old folks were
always ready with the capacious bottle,
to be handed to the first arrival, who res
cciyed it with shouts and yels OF triumph;
and rode back with the utmost speed to
meet the company, who received him
with a general shout o; applause. The
bottle was handed to the bridegroom,
who CALAMITY held it to the lips OF the
bride, ana next imbibed himself; then
wiping the mouth Of the bottle with his
coat-slre,e, passed it around the compa-
ny, all OF whom underwent the same
process, and then a brisk canter brought
them to their place Of destination, where
the same process of feast and irolc was
acted over again.
TO DE CONTINUED