The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-07-12

single blessedness, knitting most vehe-
mently, and casting, every time "a new
row was To be begun, sharp and scru-
tiu.ziug gluuces 1T the young spark
over their round-eved spectaclcs- On
the other side was Mr.. b, stretched
at his ease in an armchair, in black
cap instead OF his wig. wrapped IN a
blue gown, with his brooches unbut-
toned at his knees, quietly smoking
his pipe. Mrs. B, in her chintz
dress and mob cap. was at his side,
engaged in making patchwork, a--st
the lovely Prudence sat quite erect by
her mamma, with her PincushLon and
housewife dangling from her waist
and her eye cast down, diligently
pricking her fingers instead oI her
sampler. Courting was a sober busi-
ness in old times Your grandiatner
seated himself much nearer the spin
sters than his deary. He showed his
affection very properly by keeping at
a respectful distance He passed the
evening in talking politics and the
scarcity OF money with his future
father-in-Iaw; in assisting his future
mother-in-law to arrange her parti-
colored squares; in picking up the
balls OF yarn as they were respective
ly dropped by the maiden aunts, and
now and then casting sly shcep's eyes
at Prudence, at every instance of which
familiarity the aforesaid maiden ladies
dropped "a stitchi As soon as the bell
rung nine he gave one tender squiut
at your grandmother, and took his
leave
The winter passes on, each evening
Witnessing the same assembly in Mr..
B. sitting-room, except the rare
occasion when Mr.. Jack and Miss Pru-
denco attended a tea-party, when he
had the privilege of escOrting Miss
Prudence home. who made record OF
the tender signs, the gentle hand
pressurcs, OF The stolen kiss. The i'm
pOrtarg question was asked and an
swcred; then began preparations for
housekeeping; the young people es-
cortcd by Mrs B- and the three
maiden aunts. 1t last comes the we'd
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 We're then no hack
ney coaches. Ladies and gentlemen
both made use OF natures carrfages:
and cousin &!te- cousin, belle after
belle came trotting along 20 Mr.. B
in their paLtsus with rs much -'ac is
II the had heen drawn bv fou- royal
gray, All ut last were collected, aut
waiting only Tor the p1rson- O-d Mr.
l., ii his fuIl-5o tom Il wig, velvet
coat ard brooches, gold buckles, waist
coat reaching 20 his knees, cCnvcTsed
with his brother merchants on the
usual topics Mrs. B., in her plain
brocadc and snowy cap, only rivalled
by her uccl,-haudkcrchicf, was seen
ever and anon 70 wipe away n truant
tear. The maiden aunts, stiT as
pokers, were giving TO sister spinsters
most minute accounts OF Pru-
dcacc's domestic arrangements. and
were particularly eloquent ~ relating
TO them the many wonderful bargains
they had made n conducting the Dur-
chases- The young men, in their sun
DAY suits, throwing OF clouds OF -four
every time they moved their heads.
stood dangling their steel watch
chains and making formal speeches 10
the young ladies who sat, With their
cushioned hcad-gear, bolt upright.
flirting their twO-loOt fans and blush
ing and simpering with maiden pro-
priety. AT last DIR. b Appeared.
full dressed with gown. cassock and
bands, with wig that seemed TO con-
slst OF n whole unshearcd sheep-slzin.
For 4 parson 70 have attended "a we'd
ding in simple black coat and pauta-
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.
The presence OF the divine was a
signal for the appearance of Caesar. in
green coat beautifully studded with
steel buttons (probably the courting
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
flaming cOpper-plate gown and hoop
70 initiate the ladies. The former
sustained a mahogany tray, shining
ike his face, sprinkled all over with
those very little teacups which be-
leve made their last appearance in
your aby-hOuse, Betsy; the latter
bore 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.
l dare say, TO be in Prudence'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 suffused, with her
eyes bent toward the eround-not
her head, for, loaded as it 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 a
boy whose free limbs have been shaken
for the first time into jacket and trow-
sers- But stop. L am too general. 1t
will never do not to be particular on
such 4 subject as wedding dresses.
TO begin with the lady: her locks
were strained upward over an immense
cushion, that sat like an incubus on
her head, and then plastered over with
pomatum. and sprinkled with show
er of white powder. The height of
this tower was somewhat over a foot
One single white rosebud lay on its top
like an eagle on haystack. Over
her neck and bosom was folded
n lace handkerchief, fastened in
font by a bosom pin rather larger
than a dollar, consisting OF your
grandfather's miniature set in virgin
gold. Her airy form was braced up