Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-14

we'll, it did not provoke general re-
mark. although Mrs. Hawkins asked
Jonas if he'd seen Mandy anywhere,
and Tilly James school chrtn, Eliza.
Allen, managed to occupy two seats,
so as to have one for lilly when she
came.
At exactly five minutes of 10, Profess
sor Strout emerged from the rear of
the platform and proceeded towards
the new organ. He, like the ushers,
was in dress suit, with a white rose
in the lapel of his coat. He was greet
ed with applause and bowed his ac-
acknowledgements He took his seat at
the organ and played soft prelude,
during which the Rev. Caleb Howe
entered and advanced to the altar.
Then loud cheers were heard from
the assembled crowd outside The or
gan stopped and the sexton again filled
the air with merry peals. The sight
could not see, ard therefore could not
up the road Mason's Corner had ne
yer seen an equipage like that before.
An open carriage, drawn by four
cream-colored horses, with white
names and tails and silver-tipped har-
ness. A coachman in livery sat upon
the box, while a footman, in similar
livery, rode behind. Following behind
this were other carriages, containing
the other members of the bridal party.
Within the church every eye was
turned upon the door through which
the party was to come. Professor
Strout's sharp eye saw the first couple
as they reached the entrance, and the
strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding
March, that have preceded so many
happy bridals, sounded through the
church. The party included Ezekiel
and Hubby, Deacon Mason and wife,
Mr.. Sawyer and Miss Alice Pettengill,
and a handsome richly dressed lady
unknown to any of the villagers, who
was escorted by Isaac Pettengill.
Ezekiel and Hubby advanced and
took their positions before the minis
ter, while the remainder of the party
took seats in one of the bridal pews.
When the ceremony was over the
audience naturally expected that the
welded couple would leave the church
by the right-hand aisle, on both sides
of which. from end to end, white silk
ribbons had been drawn to keep the
passage clear.
But no! Shouts and cheers were
again heard from outside the church,
again the church bell rang out, and
once more the melody of the Wedding
March fell upon the ears of the Pro-
fessor's auditors, while to their aston
ishment Ezekiel and his wife seated
themselves quietly in the front bridal
pew. Again every eye was turned, ev-
cry neck was cYanded, and Samuel
Hill and lilly James walked down the
centre aisle and took their places be-
fore the clergyman. Again the solemn
words were spoken, and this time the
spectators felt sure that the double
couple would leave the church by the
silken pathway
But no; a~ain were cheers and
shouts from se outside borne to the
excited spec: tors within. Once more
the sexton sent ont pleasing tones
from the church bell: once more the
Professor evoked those melodious
strins from the sweet-toned organ; and
as Samuel Hill and his wife took their
seats in the front pew beside Mr.. and
Mrs. Ezekiel Pettengill, the excite
ment of the audience could no longer
be controlled. 1t overcame all re-
straint, and as Hiram Maxwell and
Mandy Skinner entered, the people
arose to their feet and cheered loudly,
as they would nave done at political
| meeting Oh a circus.
Again, and for the last time the Rev.
Mr.. Howe went through the time-hon-
ored ceremony. ard at it's close Mr..
fta,cyi11 onI
Mrs Samuel Hill. and Mr.. and Mrs.
of the right-hand aisle, preceded by the
ushers, who strewed the aisle with
white roses as they advanced, and
were followed by the occupants of the
second bridal pew.
! AS Quincy rode over to Eastborough
Centre with his Aunt Ella, after par
taking of the wedding breakfast, which
was served in Deacon Mason's dining
room, she remarked to him that the
events of the day had been most en-
joyable, and that she didn't know, after
all, but that she should change he1
mind about getting married again.
When asked by Quincy if she had
seen anyone whom she thought would
suit her for a second husband, she re
piled that "Mr. Isaac Pettengill was q
very well-preserved old gentleman, ant
the most original man in thought and
speech that she had met since Robert
died"
Quincy did not inform her that I'm
Gle Ike had a wife and two grown-ur
daughters living, thinking it best tt
reserve that information for future
occasion.
That night Strout & Maxwell's gro
Gerry store was the centre of attraction
Strout was in his glory. and was, O
course, in his own opinion, the mos
successful feature Of that eventful day
1t was very common thing to ge
married, but it was most uncommon
thing to play on new church organ
| and play as we'll as he had done, go
i .,