The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-03-07
A BAsHruL BR1DEeRoon.
Tells Of the Terrors Of the Bridal
Chamber.

Senator Sebastion, of Arkansas, was q
native Of Hickman county, Tenn. On
one occasion member Of congress was
lsmenting his bashfulness and akward.
ness. "Why," said the senator from
Racksnsack, "you don't know what
bashfulnees is. Let me tell you story,
aud when get through will stand the
hob If you don't agree that you never
knew anything about bashfulness and
its baneful effects.
I was the most bashful boy west ofthe
Alleghanies. I wouldn't look at girl
much less speak to maiden; but for
all that I fell desperately in love with
sweet, beautiful neighbor girl. Itwas
desirable match on both sides, and the
old folks saw the drift and fixed it up.
I thought I should die just thinking Of
it. I was gawky, awkward country
lout, about nineteen years old.
"She was an intelligent, refined and
fairly well educated girl in country
town and at time when the girls had
superior advantages, and we're therefore
superior in culture to the boys I fixed
the day as far as could have it put off.
I lay awake in cold perspiration as the
time drew near, and shivered with
agony as thought of the terrible ordeal.
"The dreadful deal came. I went
thro' the programme somehow in dazed,
confused, mechanical sort of way, like
an automaton body through q supper
where could eat nothing, and through
such games a. 'possum pie Sister
Phebe,' and all that sort Of thing. The
guests one by one departed, and my
hair began to stand on end, Beyond
the awful curtain of Isis lay the terrible
unknown. My blood grew cold and
boiled by turns. I was in fever and
then an ague, pale and flushed by turns.
I felt like fleeing to the woods, spending
the night in the barn, leaving for the
west never to return. was deeply de-
voted to Sallie. loved her harder than
a mule can kick but that dreadful or.
deal. could not, dared not stand it.
Finally the last guest was gone, the bride
retired, the family gone to bed, and
was left alone. Horror of horrors, alone
with the old man! 'John,' said he, after
q while, you can take tnat candle. You
will find your room just q, ,er this. Guod
night, John, and may ti.v Lord have
mercy ON your SOUL anu with mis-
chievous twinkle of his rins gray eye
the old man left the room. I mentally
said Amen to his Heaven help YOU
and, when heard him close distant
door, staggered to my feet and seized
the farthing dip with a nervous grasp.
I stood for some minutes contemplating
my terrible fate, and the inevitable and
speedy doom about to overwhelm me
I knew it could not be avoided, and ya
l hesitated to meet my fate like q man.
l stood 80 long that three love letters
had grown on the wick of the tallow
dip, and winding-sheet was decorating
the sides of the brass candlestick.
"A happy thought struck me.
hastily climbed the stairs, marked the
position of the landing and the door of
the bridal chamber. l would have died
before would have disrobed in that
holy chamber, where awaited me a
trembling and beautiful girl, blushing
maiden clothed upon with her own
beauty and modesty, and her snowy
robe de mutt. I would make the usual
preparation without, blow out the light,
open the door and friendly night would
shield my shrinking modesty and bash.
fulness and grateful darkness at least
mitigate the horror of the situation. It
was soon done. Preparations for retir.
ing were few and simple in their charac.
ter in Hickman, altogether consisted in
disrobing, and owing to the scarcity of
clothing in those days, man was some.
where near the Adamic state when he
was prepared to WOO sweet sleep. The
dreadful hour had come; I was ready.
] blew out the light, grasped the door
knob with deadly grip and a nervous
clutch; one moment and it would be
over. One moment and it wasn't over
by d-n sight. Ileaped within, and
there around a glowing hickory fire,
with candles brightly burning on the
mantle and bureau, was the blushing
bride, surrounded by the six lovely
bridesmaids.
Chsmberlain's Cough Remedy gives
the best satisfaction of any cough medi.
cine handle, and as seller leads all
other preparations in this market. l
recommend it because it is the best
medicine ! ever handled for coughs,
colds and croup.-A. w. Baldridge
Millersville, Ill. Tor sale by w. R.
Smith & Co., Druggists, No. l6 Main
street.