Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-10-29
4 Bridal Tour of Sixteen Hundred
Miles on Foot.

Reading about bridal tours permit
me to relate strange experience.
Some months after the close of the war
gentleman, residing in Texas, over
took on the road one day we'll dressed
ex.soldier. The soldier was accom-.
panied by pretty. neat-looking girl of
apparently about is years If age. She
carried bundle in her hand. The
soldier stopped to ask directions about
the road. The gentleman found the
stranger was Confederate soldier re-
turning to his home in Texas with his
wife. He invited the strangers home
with him to dinner. The soldier "A
ne-looking Texantold his story.
He belonged to Johnston's army. and
had gone through all the varied for
tunes Of soldier been once wounded,
and twice prisoner. In one Of his
various wanderings he had met and
fallen 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 re duced almost to want. WheN
the war closed our soldier went to the
house Of his intended mother in. law
and for month worked with all his
might. meuding 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 South
ern Texas, of whom he had not heard
ono 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 settled the matter by saying
she was going with him. So one morn
ing they were married. and started fer
Texas on foot, with knapsacks on their
backs, and without single cent OF
money.
"But," said the bride, "we found
people 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 Of.
ten make us little presents of money.
We would frequently overtake wag.
oner. who would give us ride as far
as lie was going our way. When We
came through New Orleans we had to
get passes to cross the river. The
Northern General noticed that my shoes
were nearly worn ont, whispered some
thing to one of his aids, who went out
and came back with a pair of shoes,
and the general asked if would oblige
him by accepting them. l have them
on now.
When we left, he shook hands with
both of US, and said We were plucky
young couple. When I get to my hus
bands home l shall have travelled owe,
sixteen hundred miles-:-and most of il
on foot. l would not take anything in
the world for my trip. have found
everybody 80 kind and good"
The young husband looked into hit
wife's bright face and smiled, as though
he thought he saw there the reason why
every one was 80 kind.
But were you not afraid to come
so far with a wild Texan ?" some one
asked.
ooh, no T. 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
carr iagc brought around, and carried
them days journey homeward. Az
we shook hands with the bride, all
wished her pleasant journey.
20, never fear that" she answered.
" I am almost home-a hundred miles
or two isn't much. l am happy as a
queen"
They drove off-the happiest couple
ever seen. Now. wasn't she heroine
l do not think thst many women would
have undertaken such q bridal tour
r. T, PRICE in Detroit PreSs.