Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-04-10
TIE FRONTIER WEDDING.
By A MINISTER'S WIFE.

IL was twenty miles to the settle
ment. and we reached the log hous,
of Mr. Burke, the father of the ex
pected bride, about noon.
A dozen tow w-haired children were
at the door waiting our arrival They
telegraphed the news Immediately
Marin marin here's the elder and
and his woman. They're nothing
but folks. She's got mans hat or
and turkey wing in front of it. and
his nose is just like dad's-crooked
AS a cowhorn squash"
Alas for Mr.. Morrison's aquiline
nose. Of which he was little vain
sam" cried shrll female voice
from the interior of the cabin. run
out and grab the rooster aud I'll clap
him into the pot Sal, you quit tn at
churn and sweep the floor Kick
that corn dodger under the bed. Bill,
YOU wipe the tallow out Of tn, cheer
for the minister's wife. and be spry
about il.
Further remarks were Gu: short by
our entrance. Mrs Burke, in calico
short gown. blue petticoat and bare
feet, came forward. wiplng her face
on her apron.
How dye do. elder? How dye
do. marin: Must excuse my head
haven't had chance to comb it since
last week. Work must be did. you
know Powerful sharp air, ain't it :
Shoe. there Bill. drive that turkey
out of the bread trough. Sal, take
the lady's things. Sit right up to the
fire. marin. Hands cool Well
just run 'em in Bil's ha ir; we keep
1t long purpose.
Bill presented his shaggy head, but
| declined with an involuntary snud.
der.
',Lawk. if she amt actually shiv-
ering," cried Mrs Burke. Bring
in some more wood. Here, marm.
take this hot corn dodger inter yer
lap. It's as good as a sOapstone.
A fearful squah announced the ex-
ecution of the rooster, and shortly
afterward he was bouncing about in
q four-quart kettle. hung over the
fire. Sal returned to her churn; but
the extraordinary visitor must have
made her careless, for she upset the
whole concern. aud the buttermilk
went swimming over the floor.
Grab the ladle, Bill" cried Mrs.
Burke, land help dip it up. Take
keer don't put that snarl of hair in
strange how folks will be so nasty.
Dick, do keep your feet out of the
it won't be fit for the pigs
when the buffers gathered. Drive
that hen out, quick; she's picked up
a pound already. There, Sal, do try
and churn little more keerful. If
you are gwine to be spliced to-mor-
row YOU needn't run crazy about it,"
jest YOU dry up !" remarked the
bride elect, humping away at the
churn.
BY this time had fairly warmed
up, dinner was ready, aud you may
be sure | did not iniure myself by
over-eating. Night came on early.
and after a social chat about the
event of the next day, | signified my
desire to retire. Sal lighted a pitch
knot and began climbing ladder in
one corner of the room; | hesitated
Come on" said she, "don't yer be
afraid Sam and Bill and Dick, aud
all the rest of ye. duck your heads
while the elders wife goes up Look
out for the boards, marin, and mind,
or you'll mash your brains out against
the beam, aud take keer Of the hole
where the chimney mes through" ."
Her warning came too late. My
foot caught in the end of a board,
stumbled and fell hcadlong, through
what appeared to be interminablc
space; but it was only 20 the room |
had just left, where l was saved from
destruction by Bill, who caught me
in his arms and set me on my feet,
remarking coolly:
"What made you come down that
way? We use the ladder"
| was duly commiserated with, and
at last got to bed. The less said
about that night the better. Bill and
Dick and four others slept in the same
room with US, and made the air vocal
with their snoring. | fell asleep and
dreamed | was being shot from the
muzzle of a columbiad, and was
awakened by Mr.. Morrison, who in
formed me that it was morning.
The marriage was to take place be
fore breakfast. and Sally was already
clad in her bridal robes when | de
scended the ladder She was mag
nificent in green calico dress over q
crinoline, full four inches larger than
the rest of her apparel. white apron
with red strings, blue stockings. a
yellow neck riboon and white cotton
gloves. Her reddish hair was fast
ened in pug behind, and well adorn-
ed with the tail feathers of the de-
funct rooster before mentioned.
When il was announced that Lem
Lord, the groom, was coming, Sal
dived behind a coverlet which hung
across one corner .of the room, to
conceal sundry pots and kettles, and
refused TO come forth. MIR. Lord
lifted one corner of the curtain and
peeped in. but quickly retrested. after
few sharp words from Sally, advis-
ing him to mind his own business.
Lemuel was dressed in blue, with
bright buttons. The entire suit had
been made for his grandfather tor a
similar occasion His hair was we'll
creased with tallow, and his huge
feet encased in skin pumps
Very soon the company began to
gather and the room was we'll filled.
Now, elder" cried the groom,
drive ahead. / want il done up
nice. Tm able to pay for the job.
Dye hear Come, Father Burke,
trot out your gal"
But Sally refused TO be trotted out.
She would be married where she was
or not at all. We all argued and
coaxed. but she was firm. and it was
finally concluded to let her have her
own way.
Mr.. Morrison stood up; the happy
couple Joined hands through rent
in the coverlet, and the ceremony
proceeded. Just as Mr.. Morrison
was asking Lemuel. "Will you take
this woman >" etc down came the
coverlet. enveloping both minister
and bridegroom. and filing the house