The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-06-10

historic walls to receive the blessing of
the Church on his union in the holy
bonds Of matrimony. From the very
dawn of the wedding day the city seemed
alive to the approaching event. Little
knots of idlers talked it over Oh the side
walks and in front of the hotels. Sedate
matrons gossipped as they passed along
tho streets, and bcvies of laughing girls
chatted and speculated about the coming
momentous ceremonies.
If there be any truth in the ancient
adage, happy bride will reign in the
White House; for though the day opened
with gray and cheerless sky and shad-
ows resting on the earth, yet as it grew
older the elements seemed to relent, and
little by little the sun forced his rays
through the unwilling clouds, until his
broad beams fell in generous abundance
on the soft, green sward of the trim park
cncompassing the White House, bring
ing out in high relief the simple yet
stately white columns Of the time-hon-
ored home Of the Presidents, crystalliz-
ing in prismatic hues the sparkling spray
VI
the foliage Of the grand old trees.
The still and murky haze of the early
afternoon had now wholly given place to
clear skies and warm southeIly zephyrs,
while yellow sunbcams fitted through
the foliage Of the park and made flicker
ing pictures upon the velvcty turf be-
meath. The great fountain did its best
to attract attention, spouting its cooling
spray to the verge Of its granite basin.
The seats in the park across the avenue
were occupied by lawn-clad maidens,
while half the young lovers in town,
moved by the common sympathy which
stlrs the romantic susceptibilitics of sixty
millions of people, took winding walks
into the line of the evening promenade
and spcculated upon the emotions which
are supposed to fill the hearts of the
bride and groom.
On the asphalt walks, hear the portico
OF the White House, the asscmblage was
thoroughly democratic, and ragged ur-
chlns and slip-shod colored girls jostlcd
nntty-looking young gentlemen and
ladies III silk attire. The gates were left
wide open, and by o'clock the crowd
had swollen to several hundred, and a
score or moro of newspaper men held
the point of vantage along the side of the
portico.
Suddenly the strains Of the wedding
march iloated through the open windows
and there was general exclamation from
the outside crowd, '"Thc service has be-
gun! Then there came tantalizing
hush within the walls, which was soon
ended by the strains of the bridal CHORUS
from 'Lohengrin, and it was thereby
known that tho ceremony was over. One
by one the lights sprang up at the win
dows, and the great burners on the
portico cast their effulgenco over the
asphalt, q scene which rcsemblcd q sum-
mer nights festival, and the crowd gave
itself mp to the enjoyment of delightful
music.
THE DEPARTURE FOR DEER PAltK
There was no formal order observed in |
the supper room, but the collation. was
served, and the guests sat Mt small tables
or promcnadod as they discussed the
menu and talked over the event Of the
evening. The elegant souvenirs of satin
boxes, containing dainty slices of bridal
cake and each one bearing q hand-paint |
ed monogram &C. f." were received
with great admiration. While the
orchestra was playing one of its happiest
selections, and the guests were gathered
about the tables, the bride quietly slipped
away to her room and changed her we'd
ding dress for heavy gray silk travelling
dress. She then returned to her com
pany and was soon aftcrward Joined by
the President, who had also changed his
dress suit for n travelling costume. This
was about $50, and the President and his
bride said a hasty "good-bye" to their
friends and left the house through the
private exit from the Red room into the
south ground. A closed carriage awaited
them, and as they entered and tho horses
started OIL shower of rice was thrown
on the carriage and their friends waved
them final "God-speed" from the rcar
porch. 1t was expected that the Prcsi
dent would try to slip away unobscrvcd
and In order to prevent this q number of
newspaper mon stationed themselves near
the southwest entrance to tho grounds
with carriages convenient to follow the
President in case he should make his
exit by that gate. This was reported to
the President, so he instructed his driver
to go out of the grounds by another and
almost unused route, and in that way he
avoided the reporters altogether. His
carriage was driven direct to the Balti- !
more and Ohio Railroad station where a
special train was in waiting to take the
President and his bride to Deer Park. |
They were escorted through the station
and into the car provided for them with
out attracting attention, and at 8 O'Clock
the train started off to its destination.
The President and his bride wore wholly
maccompanied on this journey. They
will probably remain at Deer Park about
q week, during which time they will
occupy small cottage attached to the
hotel, which has not yet opened for the
season.