Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-05-23

her mamma, With hor pincushion and
housewife dangling from her waist
and her eye cast down, diligently
prisking her fingers instead OF her
sampler. Oourting was n sober busi-
moss In old times Your grandfather
seated himself rnurh noarer The spin
sters than his aeary. lie shove his
affection very properly by kcoplng at
a respectful distance He pissed the
evening in talking politics and tho
scarcity OF money with his future
fother-in-law; ia assisting his future
mother-in-law TO arrange her parti-
colorod squares; In picking up tho
balls OF yarn as they were respective
ny dropped by tho maiden aunts, and
now and then casting sly sheep's eyes
ai Prudence, nc ovef instance OF which
familiarity the aforesaid maiden ladies
dropped a sitchi As soon as tho bell
rung nine he gave ono tcnder squint
NJ your grandmother, and took his
leave"
The winter passes on, onch evening
witnessing tho samo assembly In Mr.
B---'s sitting room. except tho rare
occasion whom Mr. Jack and Miss Prds
dcnco attended a tea.party whom he
had tho privilege OF cscorting Miss
Prudence homo, who made record of
tho tondor sighs, tho gentle hand
prossuros, OF the stolen kiss. Tho Inn
portant question was asked and an
swered; thon began preparations ior
housekeeping, the young people cs-
corted by Mrs R. and tho three
maiden aunts At last comes tho we'd
ding, when we, by tho magic Of the
writer's pen, became part Of the wed.
ding festivities.
Presently tho company began 70
assemble. There were thon no hack
ney coaches. Ladies and gentlemen
both mado use OF natures Marriages;
and cousin after cousin, belle after
bcllc came trotting along TO MrlB-'s
in thoir pRttens with as mudh elee as
II they had been drawn by four royal
grays All at last we're collected, aud
waiting only for The parson. OId Mr.
B., in his full-bottomod wig, velvet
coat aud brceches. gold buckles. waist
coat reaching to his hncos, conversed
with his brother merchants on the
usual topics Mrs. B.. ia Der plain
brocade and snowy cap, Cnly rivalled
by her neck-h6ndkeruAl,d was seen
ever and anon 10 wipe away a truant
tear Tho maiden Runts, stiff as
pokors, wore giving TO sister spinsters
most minute accounts OF Pru-
dence's domestic arrangements. and
were particularly eloquent In relating
to them the many wonderful bargains
they had made In conducting the pur-
chases. Tho young men. In their Sun
day suits. throwing on clouds OF -four
every time they moved their heads,
stood dangling their steel watch
chains and making formal speeches to
the young ladies who sat with their
cushioned head-gear, bolt upright.
flirting their two-ioot fans and blush
ing and simpering with maiden pro-
prieW. Az last DR. h appeared.
full dressed with gown. cassock and
bands, with a wig that seemed to con-
sist OF whole unsheared sheep-skin.
For n parson TO have attended we'd
ding in n simple black coat and panta-
looms sixty years ago, Betsy, would
have been doomed rank horesy; in
deed, have been inclined 70 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 Cesar. in
a green coat beautifully studded with
steel buttons (probably the courting
coat OF MIR, B., for the coats lasted
one generation IN old times), bright
rod breeches, blue stockings and yellow
vest; followed by Cleopatra and her
flaming copper-plate gown and hoop
10 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 tho bridal party entered. First
came two pretty maidens who longed. !
| dare say, 10 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 tho happy pair;
Prudence slightly suffused, 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 a top-heavy oornstalk witch; John
moving and looking as awkward rs a
boy whose free limbs have been shaken
for the first time into jackei and trow-
sers But stop am too general II
will never do not 20 be particular on
such a 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 foot
One single white rosebud lay on its top
like an eagle on a haysiack. Over
her neck and bosom was. folded
lace handkerchief. fastened in
front by bosom pin rather larger
than a dollar, consisting OF your
grandfather's miniature set IN virgin
gold. Her airy form was bracod up
in satin dress, the sleeves tight as
the natural skin OF tho arm. with a
waist formed by a bodice, worn OUT
side, from whence the skirt flowed OF.
and was distended at the ankles by an
ample hoop. Shoes of white kid,
with peaked toes, aud heals OF two 0g
three inches elevation. incl ossd her
foot md olitternd Win annnn.l..