The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-10
A WEDDING IN DEATH.

Away in the great Canadian North
west, where the piercing winds and
drifting SHOWS sweep over the land in
wild freedom; where frost and ice hold
the earth in their iron embrace; where
the trees in the gorges groan and
creak as the cold breezes sigh through
them; where the pale faces are few and
far between, is small settlement of
about 100 souls.
On dreary Christmas day, some
twenty years since, this settlement
looked deserted. Snow lay in undis-
turbed drifts down the wide, solitary
street Of the pioneer village. No mark
of foot or shovel disturbed the white
surface; no CHEEKY sleigh-bells rang out
in the frosty air, and no merry skaters
gided on the frozen river. Silence
reigned supreme.
John Kirby, a hale and hearty old
pionees. lived at the far end of the set
tiement. He bad made that his home
among the first who were brave and
daring enough to leave Old England
and settle in the wild West of Canada.
His wife, who had accompanied him,
shared his joys and sorrows for years,
but at last they had to make grave
for her, and lay her to rest in the little
ehurchyard.
Their only child was girl, now q
woman of 2O-gentle, kind and thought
full. Annie truly was q thorough
woman, and was beloved by all the vii
lagers-old and young, male and female.
This Christmas was to see her married
to George Hughes, worthy young
farmer of Is, with whom she had played
and associated, and who had loved her
since they both attended the village
school.
The clay wore away, and the night,
which was drawing on, threatened to
be stormy and wild. The snow-olouds
thickened, shutting out completely a
feeble sun, which had striven feebly to
throw it's smile on the earth this Christ
mas day. For many days previously it
had been showing necessarily, burying
fences, trees and shrubs in white graves,
and now it began to fall again, at first
quietly and calmly. 49,.
But, after while, piercing east
wind sprung up, drifting the snow into
huge hills, and burying everything with
out pity. III
Evening at length arrived, bringing
with it the guests who were to witness
the ceremony at John Kirby's house.
Everything was ready, and the rough
but comfortable home looked as cheer
full and pleasant as could be. The old
man wandered among the company,
heartily shaking hands with each and
wishing the compliments of the season
over and over again. Annie was look
ing lovelier and more womanly than
ever, and not an unmarried man there
but envied George Hughes.
Nine o'clock came, the hour appoint
ed for the wedding, yet no bridegroom
appeared. Annie and her father, as
we'll as their friends, began to feel anx-
ious, not alone because it was long
and tedious journey from Georges
home to the settlement, but because
they knew he must cross bleak, wild
moor, with never mark to guide the
traveller to his destination.
L wonder why he is so long, father ~
said Annie, in some anxiety.
"Have no fear, Annie, DEAR" was the
encouraging reply. "You know it is a
long drive, and perhaps George is wait.
ing until the storm abates." The old
gentleman had to amuse the guests as
best he could, talking of old times with
the companions of his earlier days, and
telling his experiences for the benefit
OF the younger ones. Midnight came
and, as Hughes did not come, they all
concluded that, like prudent youna
fellow, he had resolved to POSTPONE 8
journey which must entail some peril
and wait another, day for his wife. Sc
they separated and returned to their
homes.
ALI were satisfied with young Hughes
non-appearance save one. She knew
that no weather would have kept him
away that night, and, although well
aware of the hardness of such course
she resolved to go out and search fol
her betrothed. She reached the end Of
the settlement, and gazed anxiously
around in hopes of catching glimpse
OF some dark object, but nothing met
her gaze. On she plodded, staring into