The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-06-14
A BAsHFUL BRIDEGROOM.
The Terrors of the Bridal Cham.
berthe Unique Sensation His
appearance There Produced.

/ INC ltETOEH OI tht AhEluNl Nunula
berthe Unique Sensation His
Appearance There Produced.
Senator Sebastian, OF Arkansas, was a
native Of Hickman county, Tennessee. On
one occasion member OF Congress was la
nenting his bashfulness and dawkwardness
f"Why," said the Senator from Racken.
sack, "you don't know what bashfulness
Is. Let me tell you story, and when l
get through | will stand the hob ii you
don't agree that you never knew anything
about bashfulness and is baneful effects. /
was the most bashful boy west o.the ALE.
ghanies. l wouldn't look at girl much
less speak to maiden; but for all that I
fell desperately in love with a sweet, beau
tiful neighbor girl. 1t was desirable
match on both sides, and the old folks saw
the drift and fixed it up. l thought
should die Just thinking OF it. was a
gawky, awkward country lout, about nine
teen years old. She was an intelligent.
refined and fairly well educated girl in A
t,eountry and a time when the girls had
superior advantages and were therefore
superior IN cuiture No .i,a bovs fS,.5
the day as far as could have Il but of. i.
lay awake in cold Precipitation as the
time drew near, and shivered with agony
as thought Of the terrible ordeal.
The dreadful day came. Invent through
with the programme somehow in dazed,
confused, mechanical sort OF way, like an
automaton BOBBY through supper where
l-could eat nothing, and through such
games as "possum pie" "sister Phoebe"
and all that sort of thing. The guests ono
by one departed and my hair began to
statid OF end. Beyond the awful curtain
OF Isis lay the terrible unknown. Nv
blood grew cold and boiled by turns. /
was in fever and then in ague, pale and
flushed by turns. ! felt like fleeing 10 the
woods, spending the night in the barn,
leaving for the West never to return. I
was deeply devoted to salie. Iloved her
harder than mule can kick; but that
dreadful ordeal, could not, dared not
stand it. Finally the last guest was gone,
the bride retiredj the family gone to bed,
and l was left alone; horror OF horrors,
alone with the old man. "John," said he,
you can tuke that candle; you will find
your room just over this. Good night,
John, and may the Lord have mercy on
your soul" and with mischievous twink
leof his fine gray eye the old man left the
room. mentally said '"Amen" to his
Heaven help you," and, when heard
him close distant door, staggered to my
feet and seized the farthing dip with a
nervous grasp. stood for some minutes
contemplating my terrible fate, and the
inevitable and speedy doom about to over.
whelm me. ] knew it could not be avoid.
cd, and yet hesitated to meetmy fate
like man. stood so long that three
love letters had grown on the wick of the
tallow dip and a winding sheet was decor.
ating tho sides of the brass candle.stick.
A happy thought struck me. hastily
climbed the stairs, ma ked the position OF
the landing and the door OF the bridal
chamber. | would have died before |
would have disrobed in that holy cham.
Der, where awaited me 4 trembling and
beautiful girl, a blushing maiden clothed
upon with her own beauty and modesty,
and her snowy robe dc NUT. l would
-
make the usual preparations without, blow
out the light, open tile door and friendly
night would shield my shrinking modesty
and bashfulness and grateful darkness at
least mitigate the horror OF the situation.
1t was soon done. Preparations for retir-
ing were few and simple in their character
i'll Hickman, altogether consisting OF dis.
robing, and owing to scarcity Of cloth in
these days man was somewhere near the
Adamic state when he was prepared to
WOO sweet sleep. The dreadful hour had
come; / was ready. l blew out the light,
grasped the door-knob with deathly grip
and a nervous clutch; one moment and .it
would be over. One moment and it wasn't
over by d-d sight. leaped within,
and there around a glowing hickory fire,
with candles brightly btrning on the man
Tie and bureau, was the blushing bride,
surrounded by the six lovely bridesmaids"
Precept and Practice.