.

THE MARRIAGE.
I was awakened on my wedding morning by the crash and bellowing of a great thunderstorm.

The lightning flashed fearfully all about us, killing two oxen quite near to my wagon, and the thunder rolled and echoed till the very earth seemed to shake.

Then came a wail of cold wind, and after that the swish of torrential rain.

Although I was well accustomed to such natural manifestations, especially at this season of the year, I confess that these sights and sounds did not tend to raise my spirits, which were already lower than they should have been on that eventful day.