Legends of the Shawangunk2 JR.pdf - Friends of the Sabbath ...

The Disappointed Groom. 153
her affection counterbalanced in devotion. In short they became engaged. And now that
the matter was settled, why delay the day of nuptials? When love was so fervent, the
mansion in want of a mistress, and a bachelor heart so much distressed for lack of a
ministering angel, procrastination was a loss to all concerned. Walter pressed his suit for
an early wedding, and the young lady, after a show of reluctance which amounted to
nothing, appeared to bend to his desires.
“But,” said the young lady, “you know that fortune is fickle, more inconstant even
than affection. Why not bestow upon your future wife a marriage portion! It will be
yours to enjoy as though held in your own name, and should fortune fail you, you will
have something saved from the wreck, to fall back upon. Besides, it will be a slight token
of the sincerity of your professions of love to me.” “That I will readily do,” said Walter.
“I’ll give you the deed to this estate, to be given you at the altar on the day of your
nuptials, to be celebrated at the parish church next Thanksgiving Day, two months
hence;” to which she assented in tones of never-dying affection.
Now followed the busy note of preparation. Numerous journeys to the metropolis, a
half score of milliners, dressmakers, hair-dressers, and assistants were found necessary to
bring out a trousseau suitable for the future mistress of Redwood Hall. The coming
wedding absorbed the talk of the town; and Walter thought himself fortunate in that he
could now revenge himself for the slights of his former admirers, by leading the most
beautiful of them all to the altar. Every body received cards of invitation; and no less
than three clergymen were invited to be present, that there might be no hitch in the
ceremony.
Thanksgiving Day arrived at length, and a most auspicious day it proved. The air
was bland, the sun shone brightly, and nature seamed to don a holiday attire in keeping
with the occasion. The church was gaily trimmed; carpets were spread from the doors to
the carriage-way, and the pews were literally crammed with people clad in fashionable
attire. The organ pealed forth its most joyous wedding march, and presently aflutter in
the audience showed that the contracting parties had arrived. As the bride swept up the
aisle, a bewilderment of feathers, lace and white satin, a murmur of admiration ran
through the entire assembly. And, too, the manly bearing of Walter was such as to cause
a perceptible flutter in the hearts of more than one damsel present.
As they took their places in front of the altar, and just as the highest flourish of the
Wedding March was reached, Walter took a package from his pocket and gave it to the
woman at his side. It was the deed of Redwood Hall, made over to Virginia Green, made
to her before she was his bride, as a husband may not transfer real estate to his wife.
The last notes of the organ died away in semiquavers among the arches of the ceiling
when the minister stepped forward and in solemn tones said, “Let the parties join hands,”
and in a moment continued, “If any one have reasonable objection to the marriage of
Walter Manning and Virginia Green, let him now make it known, or forever hold his
peace.”