Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1882-07-07
A BASHFUL MAN.
The Great Sensation He Produced In q
Bridal Chamber.


Bridal Chamber.
Senator Sebastian, of Arkansas,
was a native of Hickman county,
Tennessee. On one occasion a mem
ber of Congress was lamenting his
bashfulness and awkwardness.
''Why," said the Senator from Ark
ahsas, you don't know what bash
fulness is. Let me tell you story,
and when l get through will stand
the bob if you don't agree with me
that you never knew anything about
bashtulness and its baneul effects.
l was the most bashful boy west OF
the Alleghanies. l wouldn't look
at girl, much less speak to maid
en-; but for all that l fell desperately
in love with sweet, beautiful neigh
Dor girl. 1t was desirable match
on both sides, and the old folk saw
the drift and fixed it up.
thought l should die just
thinking of it. l was gawky,
awkward, country lout about 10
years old. She was an intelligent,
refined and fairly we'll educated girl,
in the country and at time when
the girls had superior advantages,
and were therefore superior in cul-
ture to the boys. fixed the day rs
far as could put it off. lay awake
in cold perspiratlon as the time
drew near and shivered in agony as
thought of the terrible ordeal
"The dreadful day came. l went
through with the programme in a
dazci, confused, mechanical sort Of
way, like all automaton BOBBY
through supper where l could not
eat anything, and through such
games as 'possum pie Sister Pho
be, and all that sort of tn ing. The
guests one by one departed, and my
hair began to stand on end. Beyond
the awful curtain, or Isis, lay the
terrible unknown. My blood grew
cold and boiled by turns. | was in
a fever and then in an ague, pale and
flushed by turns. ! felt like fleeing
into the woods, spending the night
in the barn, leaving for the
West never to return. l was
deeply devoted to Salle. / loved
her harder than a mule could kick
but that dreadful ordeal could not,
| dared not stand it. Finally the last
guest was gone, the bride retired, the
family had gone to bed, and | was
left alone-horrors of horrors, alone
with the old man. 'John,' said he
you can take that candle: you will
find your room over this. Good
night, John, and may the Lord have
mercy on your soul, and with mis-
chevious twinkle of his fine gray eye
the old man left the room. / men
tally said amen to his Heaven help
you,' and when | heard him close a
distant door, staggered to my feet
and seized the farthing dip with a
nervous grasp. | stood for some mo
ments contemplating my horrible
fate, and the inevitable and speedy
fate that awaited me. ! knew that il
could not be avoided, and vet / hesi.
tated to meet my fate like man.
stood so long that three love let
ters had grown on the wick of the
tallow dip and winding sheet was
decorating the side of the brass can.
dlestick.
GA happy thought struck me. ]
hastily climbed the stair, marked the
position of the landing and the dool
of the bridal chamber. | would have
died before | would have disrobed il
that holy chamber, where awaited me
a beautiful and trembling girl,a blush
ing maiden clothed in her own beauty
and modesty, and her snowy robe dc
mutt. | would make the usual pre-
parations without, blow out the Il ght
open the door, and friendly nigh
would shield my shrinking modest,
and bashfulness, and grateful dark
ness at least mitigate the horror of tn,
situation. 1t was soon done. Prepare
tons fer retiring were few and sim
pie in their character in Hickman, al
together consisting Of disrobing, ano
owing to the scarcity of cloth in those
days, man was somewhere near the
Adamic state when he was prepared
, to WOO sweet sleep. The dreadful
hour had come and | was ready.
blew out the light, grasped the door
knob with deadly grin and nervous
clutch; one moment and all would bt
over. One moment and all WASH
{ over by hanged sight. ! leape'
within, and there around glowing
hickory fire, with candles bright,
burning on the mantle and bureau
: was the blushing bride surrounded b,
six lovely bridesmaids"
Prince Bismarck has brother VIII
has just completed and duly celebra
ted the fortieth year of his service t
the German Government. He hold
Al II 4 7 i 4