Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-07-24


pricking her fingers instead of her
sampler. Counting was n sober bust
ness In old times. Your grandfather
seated himself much nearer the spin
sters than his deary. He showed his
affection very properly by keeping at
a respectful distance. He passed tho
evening in talking politics and the
scarcity OF money with his future
father-in-law; in assisting his future
mother-in-law to arrange her parti-
colorcd squares; in picking up the
balls OF yarn as they were respective
ly dropped by the maiden aunts, and
now and then casting sly sleeps eyes
at Prudence, at every instance of which
familiarity the aforesaid maiden ladies
dropped a stitch! AS soon as the bell
rung nine he gave one tender squint
nj your grandmother, and took his
leave"
The winter passes on, each evening
Witnessing the same assembly in Mr..
BIS sitting room, except the rare
occasion when Mr.. Jack and Miss Pru-
dcnce attended IA tea-party, when he
had the privilege OF escortingl Miss
Prudence home. who made record of
the tender signs, the gentle hand
pressures, of the stolen kiss. The inn
portant question was asked and an
swered; then began preparations for
housekeeping; the young people es-
corted by Mrs. B. and the three
! N, Al a,,nfo 4 Loot co,,,ac tho .uo1-
ding. when we, by the magic of the
writer's pen, became part OF the we'd
ding festivities.
presently the company began TO
assemble. There were then no hack
ney coaches Ladies and gentlemen
both made use OF natures CARRIAGES
and cousin after cousin, belle after
belle came trottlng along to Mr.. BIS
in their pattens with as much glee as
IL they had been drawn by four royal
grays. All at last were collected, and
waiting only for the parson. Old Mr.
B, in his full-bottomed wig, velvet
coat and breeches, gold buckles, waist
coat reaching TO his knees, conversed
with his brother merchants on the
usual topics. Mrs. B., in her plain
bfocade and snowy cap, only rivalled
by her ecll-handkcrchief, was seen
ever and anon to wipe away II truant
tear. The maiden aInts, stiff us
pokers, were giving to sister spinstors
most minute accounts of Pru-
lence's domestic arrangements, and
were particularly eloquent in relating
to them the many wonderful bargains
they had made in conducting the pur-
chases. The young men, in their Sun
lay suits, throwing of clouds of -four
every time they moved their heads,
stood dangling their steel watch
chains and making formal speeches 70
the young ladies who sat, with their
cushioned head-gcar, bolt upright,
tii-ting their two-foot fans and blush
ing and simpering with maiden pro-
priety. At last DR.. B appeared,
full dressed with gown. cassock and
bands, with Il wig that seemed to con-
sist Of whole unsheared sheep-sllin.
For parsOn to have attended we'd
ding in simple black coat and panta-
looms sixty years ago, Betsy, would
have been deemed rank heresy; in
deed, | have been inclined to think
that half the power of ministers in my
day lay in their wigs.
1.-The presence of the divine was
signal for the appearance of Cesar, in
II green coat beautifully studded with
steel buttons (probably the counting
coat of Mr.. B, for the coats lasted
one generation in old times), bright
red breeches, blue stockings and yellow
vest; followed by Cleopatra and her
laming copper-plate gown and hoop
to initiate the ladies. The former
sustained a mahogany tray, shining
like his face, sprinkled all over with
those very little teacups which | be-
lieve made their last appearance in
your playhouse, Betsy; the latter
bore "a twin waiter loaded with nut
cakes, symbols and bread and butter.
This ebony procession appeared and
disappeared three several times; and
then the bridal party entered. First
came two pretty maidens who longed,
dare say, to be in Prudenco's shoes,
in white dimity, with. the eternal up
heaved top-boots, escorted by another
gentleman and myself, in blazing
scarlet. Next came the happy pair;
Prudence slightly sufiused, with her
eyes bent toward the ground-not
her head, for, loaded as IL was, the
slightest inclination OF il might have
produced a motion somewhat like that
OF top-heavy cornstalk witch; John
moving and looking as awkward as II
boy whose free limbs have been shaken
for the first time into jacket and trow-
scrs. But stop. l am too general. II
will never do not to be particular on
such subject us wedding dresses.
ITO begin with the lady: her locks
were strained upward over an immense
cushion, that sat like an incubus on
her head, aud then plastored over with
pOmatum, and sprinklcd with a show
er OF white powder. The height of
this tower was somewhat over foot
One single white rosebud lay on its top
like an eagle on u haystack. Over
her neck and bosom was folded
a lace handkerchief, fastened in
front by bosom pin. rather larger
than dollar, consisting of your
grandfather's miniature set in virgin
gold. Her airy form was braced up
in n satin dress, the sleeves tight as
the natural skin of the arm, with
waist formed by a bodice, worn ow-
side, from whence the skirt flowed of,
and was distended at the ankles by an
ample hoop. Shoes of white kid,
with peaked toes, and heels of two or
three inches elevation. incl osed her
feet, and glittcred with spangles. as
her little pedal members peepcd curl
ously out
There, Betsey, London milliner
4 4