The Magnolia gazette., 1883-11-08
Marriage.


What an epoch in life is ones we'd
ding day 1t is a day Of victory and Of
proud success. The day of days has
come at last. The VOWS are spoken.
The young man and maiden are now
husband and wife. They are one, and
their lives flow On together, linked in
separately for better or for worse.
Can it be that the marriage day, so
long a beautiful vision of the future is
a present reality2 For years they have
both looked forward to this day. Each
has often painted it, and dreamed Of
him or her who was to,make it day
of perfect bliss The maiden, "fancy
free has said to her fultering heart:
''Will he come soon that knight who
will claim my hand because ali my love
is his?n And then her maiden fancy has
wrought out an ideal of his rare quail
ties of person, mind and heart. Her
ideal lover is a kingly man, of mingled
strength and gentleness. How unwor-
thy she feels to mate with himl Yetless
will not suffice her. and she will, she
whispers to her heart, make it up to
him by her devotion and depth of love.
And he, too, has been picturing the
future. Before his heart has risen an
image of rare loyeliness. A maiden OF
wondrous grace, beauty and sweetness
charms him. Somehow, he knows not
how; sometime, he. knows not when,
she listens to his suit and returns bis
love, and, in Imagination, he is Of all
men most fortunate. He vows to at
tempt all noble things for her dear sake.
Never was such maiden, or lover SO
conscious of his .unworthiness to win
her. In his humility he would gladly
kiss the very earth on which she steps.
But the dream is one thing. Thereal-
ity is another. Some day they meet
perhaps meet and pass on their way
thinking little that the knight has come
to his fair lady, and soon will claim her
as his own, After time Cupid draws
his bow, and the young man is sore
wounded. Doubtless even then, when
before his enraptured gaze stands tho
maiden worthy to fill his dream, she
does not see future husband. But true
love can wait. And there comes time
--she. never knows why, though Cupid
knows when suddenly her heart an
swers responsive to his great love
I Then each becomes transiigured IN
the others eyes. And while Others SEQ
only 4 strong young man and q lovely
maiden. they, with the lens OF love, see
all their dreams had painted. Inc
same, vet not the same; rs good, S
beautiful, and vet all different. Ihey
love, are loved, and allthe worlds bright
And now dream and reality link hands
They see the marriage altar, hear the
preachers tones praying Gods blessing
on their united lives, and see a rome,
Eden renewed, and little ones coming 70
greet them
Time passes; how swiftly when TO-
gether; with what laggard steps Wheh
apart And now the day is come;
Friends surround them. Beauty aha n,
strength grace the scene. In DTlaa
loveliness the maiden stands before ths
altar, and in low, sweet tones, WIN
hand in his, pronOunces with hlm tne
solemn words which make them man
and wife. Congratulations and wedding
presents shower upon them. was ever
day so sweet?
But all things human end. Frlenas
depart; groomsmen and tar Driues-
maids turn homeward to dream OF Iu-
ture Joys. The family circle linger y
say goodbye. Amid a shower OF Kisses
loving words and best wishes, tne
young couple launch out upon tne l,s, STA
of married life. All joy attend thenl.
And when the dreams Of former uas'
are all transmitted into coming realities;
may their welded happiness exceea
their fondest expectations. May =