Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-08-27
PluekY Couple.
MAKING A BRIDAL TOUR on FOOT.

MAKING A BRIDAL TOUR on FOOT
Some months after the close of the
war a gentleman, residing in Texas, over
took on the road one day a well-dressed
ex-soldier. The soldier was aecompa-
MED by pretty, neat-looking girl of APP
parently about Is years of age. She car
ried bundle in her hand. The soldier
stopped to ask directions about the road.
The gentleman found the stranger was a
confederate soldier returning to his home
in Texas with his wife. He invited the
strangers home with him to dinner. The
soldier-a fne-looking Texan-told his
story. His home, he said, was on the
Neucces. He belonged to Johnson's ar
my, and had gone through all the varied
fortunes of a soldier-been once wound
ed, and twice prisoner. In one of his
various wanderings he had met and fall
en- in love with the daughter of a widow
residing in the northern part of South
Carolina. The widows husband had
fallen at the battle of Manassas. The
widow, from competence, found herself
reduced almost to want. When the war
closed our soldier went to the house Of
his intended mother-in-law, and for a
month worked with all his might, mend
ing 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 prepared to return
home, but it was hard to leave his sweet
heart, especially when he was unable to
perceive when he could make money
enough to return for her. She settled
the matter by saying she was going with
him. So one morning they were mar
ried, and started for Texas on foot, with
knapsacks on their backs, and without a
single cent of money.
But" said the bride, eve found peo-
pie very kind. We made friends all
along the road; we were never turned
off at night; we always got plenty to eat
and the people would often make us lit
tie presents of money. We would fire.
quently overtake wagner, who would
give us a ride as far as he was going oul
way. When we came through New Or.
leans we had to get passes to cross the
river. The northern general noticed
that my shoes were nearly worn out
whispered something to one of his aids
who went out and came back with pail
of shoes, and the general asked if l would
oblige him by accepting them. I have
them on now.
"When we left he shook hands will
both of us, and said we were 'plucky
young couple When l get to my hus
bands home l shall have travelled owe
sixteen hundred miles-and most of i
on foot. l would not take anything il
the world for my trip. l have found ev
erybody so kind and good"
The young husband looked into hi
wife's bright face and smiled, as though
he thought he saw there the reason VIII,
every one was so kind.
'But were you not afraid to come so ia
with a wild TexanP" some ore asked.
"Oh, no! was the smiling reply. "
always liked the Texans-they make sucl
brave, good soldiers"
"You have indeed proved that yo,
like one of Them
After dinner the gentleman had hi
carriage brought around, and carrie,
them days journey homeward. As w
shook hands with the bride all wishe,
her pleasant journey.
90, never fear that" she answered
II am almost home-a hundred miles O
two isn't much. l am happy as queen.
Detroit Free Press.