Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-07-21
A BASNFUL MAN.
The Grcut Sensn tion nc Produced
i'm "a Bridal Cha mbcr.

tI.pn.svilc Commercial
Sen. Sebastian, uf a rkansas, was a n1tive
Of Hickman County, Tennessee. On one occas-
inn member of Congress was lamenting his
bashfuoess and awkwarduess. 'Why." sa i'd
the Senator rrsm Rackensack, "you dom know
what bash hfuiness is. Let me iel you q story,
and when gnt through will stand the bob tF
you don't agree that you never knew anything
about bashfulness and its baneful effects. ]
was the mos, bashful boy west Of the Allegha-
ues. / wouldn't luok at a girl, much less
speak to n maiden but for all that | { Ill des-
perntcy in love with sweet, beautiful neigh
Dor girl It ~asa desirable match on both
sides, and the old fulks saw tia drift. and fixed
il up. | thought should die just thinking of
ii. 1 wasa gawky, awkward country lout
about 19 years old. She was an intelligent, +,
refined, and fairly well educated girl in u coun-
try aud at time when the girls had sup erior
ad vautages, and were therefore supe rior ia
culture In the bo's. fxea the day as far AS
could have it put of. lay awake in n col =.
Precipitation as the time drew near, aud shiver-
ed with agouy rs thought Of the terrible
deal.
The dreadful da7 caEie. went through
W ith the program somehow in n dazed, con-
fused, mechanical sort of way, like an autnma~
ton BOBBY through supper where cnuld cat
nothing and through such games as "possum
pie," "Sister PhGbe," and all that sort of
things. The guests one by one departed. aud
my hair began to stand on end. Beyond the
awful curtain Of Isis lay the terrible
unknown. Nv blood grew cold aud boiled by
turns. | was in a fever then an ague, pale aud
flushed by turns. | felt like fleeing to tho
woods. spending the night in the barn, leaving
for the West never to return. wns deeply de.
voted to Saliie. / loved her harder than a mule
can kick; but that dreadful ordeal onuld not
dare not stand it. Finally the last guest had
gone. was lett alone; horror of horrors. al0ne
with thu old man. John" said he, "you can
take that candle; you will find your room just
over this. Good night, John, aud may the
Lord have mercy ON your snul," and with n
man left the roam. l mentally said, "Amen"
to his, Heaven help you,' and when heard
him close distant door, / staggered to my
feet aud seized the farthing dip with nervous
grasp. | stood for some minutes contemplating
my te,r rible fate, and the inevitable and speedy
doom about to overwheim me. knew it could
not be avoided, and yet hesitated to meet my
fate like man. suod so long there that
three luverle letters had grow on the wick of the
tallow dip and winding sheet was decorating
the side Of the brass candcs,ick.
A happy thought struck me. hastily
CilmDtu stAirSS mhThcu TUE pOsitNu W tuc
landing and lle door of the bridal chamber. |
would have died before 4 would have dis
robed in that holy chamber, where awaited me
II trembling and beautiful girl, blushing
maiden "clolhed only" with her own beauty
and modesiy. aud her snowy robe de mutt. I
would make the usual preparations without,
blow oat the light. open the door and friendly
night would shield my shrinking mudesty and
bashfulness and grateful darkness at least nit
igate the horror Of the situation. 1t was soon
dane. Preparations for retiring were few and
simple in their character in Hickman, alto
getler consisting of disr.bing, aud swing to
scarcity of cloth in those days man was some-
where near the Adamic state when lie was pre-
pared 10 won sweet sleep. This dreadful hour
had come; was ready. blew out the light.
| grasped the door-knob with n deathly grip aud
a nervous clutch; one moment and il wasn't over
by Il d-d sight. 1 leaped within. and there
around glowing hickory fire, with candles
brightly burning ON the ;naniel and bureau,wa
the bIushing bride, surrounded by the six love.
| ~ brides maids.