The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-18

jeopard;z;ns . Hfe insurance policy, for the irail sseps wissled and turned al every movement, and is required the skill of a tacticiaM to ascend and descend without making kaMr taS.
 When the night of the wedding ax. rived tbe clans had gathered from far and near and it Is safe to say that never was there more brilliant assemblage in old Roanoke county. The bride vas a pronounced belle of the blonde tyre and her beauty was enhanced on this occa- sion by an exquisite imported crepe gown, richly embroidered and girdled by a cord and tassels of real pearls, a gift of the groom. As this beautiful girl, still in her teens, stood under the mistletoe bough and pledged her VOWS to the hand some man by her side. the universal teel. ing was one of satisfaction. They seemed suited in every respect. Both were young, accomplished, wealthy and deeply in love with each other, and there really was nothing lacking to make this alliance perfect.
 The groomsmen were Beverly John- son, Walter Preston, John Morris, Colonel James Preston and Dr. James McDowell. Among the guests were Colonel William C. Preston and family of South Carolina, the Hamptons of South Carolina, the Breckenridges. Bowyers, Radtords, Sallie Campbell Preston, Mrs. Sallie Floyd, Mrs Mcdowell, Mrs. Susan Preston Ballard, Miss Susan Madison Peyton, who mar ried ], B. Baldwin, one of the most bril- liant men oi Virginia Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. William Madison, aunt of w. C. Preston, and a near relative of Chief Justice Marshall. Colonel Preston in speaking of this lady always said that in conversation she reminded him of Wal ter Scott. She was renowned for her in. tellect, and it is said that she was often sent for forty and fifty miles to write wills for the people. Volney in his pedestrian tour through this country met her driv- ing herself in a one-horse chaise over the mountains, and wrote on his return that the most remarkable as well as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen he met driving chaise in the fastnesses of the Allegheny mountains. She was a widow at nineteen, but could never be induced to marry, although she had scores of brilliant offers, Gallatin being one of them One of her peculiarities was that she could never be induced to leave her own state. It is said that Gallatin once proposed to her on the Potomac boat going from Washington to Mount Vernon, and she promised to give him an answer when they arrived at the latter place, An accident to the boat prevented it reaching its destination, and it was com pelled to return to Washington. When MT. GallatiA asked for his answer the re- ply was: "The fates have decided for me; shall alwaya remain a widow" Her maiden name was Elizabeth Preston, sister of Governor Preston of Virginia, also of General Preston of Kentucky, Mrs. Benton, Mrs. Governor Mcdowell, and Ballard Preston, secretary of the navy under Taylor. The beautiful, ac- com plished. and fascinating Mrs. Beale Of Virginia is a niece of hers, being a daughter of Ballard Preston, and it is said that she inherits many of the char acteristics of her remarkable aunt. How yell remember that wedding" said Virginia matron to me few days ago. 1 was only child then at Pey- ton Hall,' and children in those days were not as they now are prominent features of such occasions, but distinctly recollect my old black nanny putting a clean apron on me, taking me by the hand and showing me all the nice things, then promising if I'd be good girl, that she'd give me an orange the following day." Think of a child in this day and generation being contented with the promise of an orange the day after we'd ding
 The festivities were continued for a week, at the the end of which time the whole party set out to attend the wedding of Miss Peyton, another relative, hun dred miles distant. The bride and groom drove in landau, which was the first inc troduced into the state and which was a bridal present.
 Alter this second wedding the newly. married couple, Mir. and Mrs. Baldwin, joined the other bridal party and drove to Staunton, a distance of eighty five miles, to attend the marriage of Miss Baldwin to MT. Stewart. With all ol these accessories the party grew to be a colony, and required almost an entire town for its accommodation. Never did livelief or more brilliant cavalcade pas. 1 OtCI tuC OlQ OIau1tUu IOdu tu3b tu< bridal party, composed of old men and matrons, young men and maidens, maids valets and baggage wagons. It was a nine days wonder to the country folk and furnished the entire country with food for conversation for many months
 
 In less than six mouths from the close of their wedding festivities the scene va. sadly changed, and ie place of feasting there was mourning. Mir. and Mrs Stewart, the last of the three couples married, both died before their anniver sary rolled round, and the beautiful Mrs Preston, shortly after marriage, was again reminded by her spiritual visitor that hel days were numbered. The second warn. ing produced such an effect the she nevei recovered from it. Friends ridiculed the idea and taunted her with being supeEsti. tious, bat all to no effect, and just si, months from the wedding festivities q C O Oakland friends were gathered to pay