Omaha daily bee., 1898-11-20
A DISTINGUISHED PRIVILEGE.
What Happened to n Young Bride o
Her Wedding Trim.

What Happened to n Young Bride on
Her Wedding Trip.
1t was a belated wedding trip, relates a
writer In the Ladies' Home Journal Our
journey to my new home In Muskaloosa had
been SO dlsagreeable that we agreed to for
get it as speedily as possible and when
Judge Elwyn (of course he wasn't the Judge
them had to go to New York three months
later to attend to an important railroad
case declared I wanted to see an old man
again (there was not a man over 40 in
Muskaloosa) and some houses not built yes
terday. SO Wayne Tiny husband) said we
would call 1t our wedding journey.
The last stage Of 1t found us on board the
steamboat, The Swallow. which ran be-
tween Albany and New York City. We were
both sound asleep in the stuffy little state
room when a sudden shock awoke US. We
were hurled from our berths and jumped UP
to find ourselves grasping each other as we
tried to stand upright on the slanting floor.
There were sounds Of hurrylng feet and
a voice crying Come on deck. everybody"
and as my husband struggled into his boots
tried to find my gown. Some one called
as they beat a hasty tattoo on the doors.
Don't wait to Dress" and Wayne wrapped
me In my long green cloth cloak with it's
many capes and grasped his own coat. while
caught up my new tan-colored beaver
bonnet and hurriedly we made our way on
deck.
1t was q very dark night and the sloping
boat rose high in the air over what seemed
a bottomless abyss. A few children whlmp-
cred at being snatehed from their warm beds
into the chill night. but the women all be-
haved we'll. They felt that we were stuck
fast on something which was probably dry
land. and after the first scare many wanted
to return to their state rooms to dress. That,
however. was forbidden. a. there was pos
sibllity Of the boat parting amidships and
going down at almost any moment.
My husband was man to whom people
instinctively turned to consult, and the cap
tain and he were soon attending to the
transfer Of the passengers to the shore. Deck
hands built bonfires on the sandy beach and
by their weird light women and children
were lifted over the railings and lowered
into the arms OF men standing below. When
my turn came. as the two burly men held
| me on the outer side, caught hold of the
edge with a grip Of steel. heard Wayne
say, LET go, Felice," but I simply couldn't.
Then I heard a rough voice say, "Hit her
| over the hands with bit Of wood. mate"
and at the sharp pain my fingers relaxed
! and as I dropped into the waiting arms
/ away flew my lovely bonnet, which I never
saw again. Mr.. Elwyn tied his handker-
| chief over my mop Of curls and my long
! coat, which was buttoned from neck to heels,
| covered me completely. t.a .. ..-..
| At early dawn a steamboat came along
and was hailed, and all except the captain
! and boatmen we're put aboard 1t. Wayne
found q seat for me on It, crowded decks
and put me in charge Of a gentleman who
had shaken hands with him and made room
! for me beside him. l did not catch his name
before my husband left me and went to look
| after the passengers who were less fortu-
| nate than ourselves ..
! was only 16, and II was my FIRST long
journey. SO when the boat ran across the
seine nets spread by the Long Island fisher
| men, and 1t danced up and down, swayins
and bobbing in a way that made me imag.
Inc we were to repeat the experience OF the
night before with variations. each time
started wildly to my feet. The old gentle
man, who was a noble looking man, witt
the most wonderful dark. compelling eyes
! that seemed soft, stern and sad all at once
/ tried to calm me. But the experience hat
been through did not make 1t easy to sooths
me. and at last in desperation the dignifiet
old gentleman drew me down upon hi
knees folded me tenderly In his arms. ant
as my excitement continued talked sooth
ingly to me until my husband returned
When he put us into our carriage to driv,
to our hotel he kissed my hand at parting
with the most charming grace In the world
and when Wayne told me 1t was DAME
Webster, who was wo.shdped by my fathe
and brothers as one OF the immortals re-
turned to earth, kissed that hand myself
and my husband always declared that