Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-01
A Long Wedding Tour.

Some months after the close Of the war
a gentleman, residing In Texas, overlook
on tie road one day well dressed sX-sol-
dier The soldier was accompanied by q
pretty, neat looking girl OF Apparently
about eighteen years OF age. She carried
q bundle in her hand. The soldier stopped
to ask directions about the road. The gen.
tleman found the stranger was Confeder-
ate soldier returning to his home in Texas
with his wife. He invited the strangers
home with him TO dinner. The soldiers
fine-looking Texan-told his story. His
home, he said, was on the Neuces- He
belonged to Johnson's army, and had gone
through all the varied fortunes OF soldier
been once wounded, and twice priso-
ner. In one of his various wanderlngs he
had met and fallen in love with the daugh-
ter OF widow residing in the northern
part of South Carolina. The widows hus-
band had fallen at the battle of Manassas.
The widow, from competence found her
self reduced almost to want When the
war closed our soldier went to the house OF
his intended m mother-in-law and for month
worked with all his might, mending fences
and putting the farm in the best order he
could; then, thinking it time to see about
matters at home, and his old mother in
Southern Texas, of whom he had not heard
one word for over two years, he pre-
pared to return home, but it WAS hard to
leave his sweetheart, especially when he
was unable to perceive when he could make
money enough TO return for her. She set
tied the matter by saying she was going
Sn mo fny a m
ried, and started for Texas on foot, with
knapsacks ON their backs, and without 8
single cent of money.
But" said the bride, 1--WE found peo-
pie very kind. We made friends all along
the road; we were never turned of at
night we always got plenty TO eat, and
the people would often make US little pres
ents of money. We would frequently over
take a wagner, who would give Us ride
rs far as he was goining our way. When
We came through New Orleans we had to
get passes to cross the river. The North
ern General noticed that my shoes were
nearly worn out, whispered something to
one of his aids, who went out and came
back with pair of shoes, and the General
asked if / would oblige him by accepting
them. have them on now.
"When we left he shook hands with both
of US, and said We were 'plucky young
couple When l get TO my husbands
home | shall haye travelled over sixteen
hunGred miles-and most Of it on foot. /
would not take anything in the world for
my trip. have found everybody so kind
and good"
The young husband looked into his wlfe's
bright face and smiled, as though hethought
he saw there the reason why every one was
SO kind.
''But were you not afraid to come so far
with wild Texanl' some one asked.
'Oh, no!' was the smiling reply. 81
always liked the Texans-they make such
brave, good soldiers"
"You have indeed proved that you liked
one of them"
After dinner the gentleman had his ar
rage brought around, and carried them
days journey homewsrd. As We shook
hands with the bride, all wished her a
pleasant journey.
'Oh, never fear that, she answered. 81
am almost home-a hundred miles or two
isn't much. am happy as queen.