Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-06-06
AN OLD-TIME WEDDING.
The Story Of a Love Affair OF
Many Years Ago.

Az WILD CAAAS AAOhA Ssh0 Va oAA ga "
moved by the pictures. by brush and
pencil, Of long ago. We are thrilled
with the politics of the infant nation;
brick and mortar fade away, and
fields and woodland stand unmolested
by the hand of man; we walk with
stately step through the city where
recent danger, present fears. and
future hopes made men at heart
brothers. The history of war, politics,
finances, has hidden the homes of this
period, and it is almost with surprise
that we turn over the annals of a hun
dred years ago 20 find that men loved,
married. died; that whatever has
changed of customs or of thought,
love moved mems hearts even in those
busy times to brave, to dare. in Cupid s
army. A letter written in 1928 by an
old gentleman eighty years of age. to
q niece about to be married, gives a
picture of a love affair of long ago that
would arouse the sentiment ana SYM
pathy of stole. After giving a descrtp-
ton OF a sleigh-ride where Brother
Jack" lost his heart to Prudence B.,
our annaiist goes on to describe the
effect of this meeting:
'But, Bess, l have not spun out this
long story about the sleigh-ride for
nothing. The pith of the matter is
to come now. On this eventful eve
your grandfather was shot indeed by
Dan Cupid, Or rather by Prudence
BIS eyes. He came home signing
and simpering, and looking very much
like fool He dreamed all night OF
that taper arm SO closely confined in
tight brown silk, of that slender waist,
with the broidered stomacher; and,
oh! more than all, of that sweet blue
Gen. and that auburn ringlet which
the gypsy had allowed to escape un-
powdered. The next day he went
about signing like a blacksmith
bellows. And Sunday after Sunday
he Travelled down to the North Church.
rugged out in his best attire, with his
cornelian brooch, paste buckles, lace
frill-worked cravat, and all, to get a
peep at the blooming Prudence. And.
verify. fear that her sylph-like form
obtained more of Johns attention
than DR.. BIS sermon. Thus he went
on. until he thought his circumstances
would allow him to offer his heart and
hand to the fair damseL
Now, Betsey, l suppose you arr
all on tip-toe expecting to hear of {
moonlight walk, stolen kiss, STAN
mered confession, and blushins
answer. But you will be disappoint
ed. Love had much greater sens.
OF propriety in those days. Hi
votaries then had to deal with rigll
old fathers and prudential mothers
instead of thoughtless girls. You
grandfather set himself down on,
morning at his desk. mended his pen
spread out a broad sheet of paper
and. after various trials, indited. in
hand like copper-plate, an humble let
ter to the parent of his belove'
Prudence, stating the amount of hi
property, his yearly profits, etc, ant
requesting permission to pay his ad
dresses to his daughter. John was
rs have already said, esteemed
very prudent young man, SO that Mr.
B felt no hesitation in returnin,
an affirmative answer. and. probably
moreover. he chuckled a little at tn
idea that Prudence was to make GU
20 we'll.
Fortune had smiled kindly o.
brother Jacks love thus far. and no,
was coming the trying. interestin
hour when he was to make his frs
Official visit He shut up his sho
full FIVE minutes before dark. H
swallowed his tea in such haste as al
most to excoriate his tongue. Hi
cravat was tied and retied twent
times, his hair as often touched wit
pomat9m and powder; and his three
cornered scraper was sleekat dow