Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-02-27
JUST BEFORE THE WEDDING.
The Woes and Worries of the Happy Bride
and Her Family.


The invitations have been sent out,
and in a few days the bride elect is to
be led to the altar. The ushers and
bridesma' $ have been selected, the
trousseau is we'll under way, and the
presents begin to pour in. Each gift is
just what she wanted. She fairly revels
in the sight of the best mans card, ly-
lug loose in the delicate satin lined case.
But not less lovely to her seems the lit
tie set of fruit knives, the gift of
friend whose family has met reverses of
fortune since they were in the young
ladies' school together, while she goes
into transports over the japanese vase
near neighbor has presented in person.
The mail brings letter from the
Gancee's cousin. captain in the regular
army, stationed at remote post in
Arizona. In the letter is check for
$50, with which the captain hopes she
will purchase some trifle for her own
personal adornment. Quite overcome by
this evidence of generosity, she sings his
praises in extravagant terms for half
an hour. She is bothered little when
duplicate present" arrives, but con-
soles herself with hoping that it can be
exchanged for something of equivalent
value. Another ring at the door. This
time it is the dressmaker with the
bridal gown. Again it is tried on, and
one or two minor alterations are sug-
gested The dressmaker heaves a sigh
of relief as the fiaDcee struts up and
down her boudoir, voicing her satisfac-
tion. Then all the members Of the
household are summoned to survey her
in her finery.
Papa is SO nervous over it all. Every
morning and evening he is obliged to
walk the length of the drawing room
and back, with his daughter on his arm,
keeping in step to the spirited strains
of the wedding march, rather jerkily
rendered on the piano of an older sister
who was determined to live life of
single blessedness. Papa is not very
apt pupil, and the more he practices the
stately step the less certain he feels of
being able to master it in time for the
momentous eyent-only few days off.
On the day before the event rehearsal
takes place in the church. With the
sonorous organ to guide him, papa real
ly does splendidly. He is to carry his
high hat in his left hand and dispelled
now are his fears as to what he shall
do with his right hand, which he has
been instructed to tuck gracefully i'll
the breast of his frockcoat. The after
noon rehearsal affords considerable en-
joyment, for the minister is witty and
keeps the bridal party i'll a merry mood.
Night comes, and mamma is anxious
for the fancee to retire early, so she
will be sure not to miss her beauty
sleep. But the latter protests that going
to bed SO timely on this the last night
of her maidenhood is quite out of the
question. 1t is close OH to midnight
when she at last withdraws to her
downy couch. But for hours sleep eludes
her. She thinks of the dear home she is
leaving, and tears fill her eyes, But
Jack is so good and kind. And ere the
silver shafts of morn penetrate the
chamber the fancee lies in the arms of
Morpheus, dreaming affectionately of
Jack, who is coming tomorrow to bear
her away to Hvmen's land. Truth.