50 THE TIM BUNKER PAPERS. 



as has not taken place since the horse-pond was cured. 

 I supposed they were getting ready for the glorious 

 Fourth, which has to be celebrated this year a day behind 

 time. But I soon learned that Miss Sally was a bride, 

 and that Rev. Mr. Slocum, of Shadtown, was the fortunate 

 individual who was this day to lead her to the altar. The 

 house and garden were full of the country lasses, the 

 school-mates and more intimate friends of the bride, com 

 ing up to sympathize with her in her leave-taking of 

 home, and in her departure for the parsonage of Shad- 

 town. Wasn t your humble servant in a fix, to be caught 

 in such a presence with his field dress of coarse linen on ? 

 Such a clover field as this was a good deal more than I 

 had bargained for. I have seen something of beauty and 

 womanly grace, as one has opportunity to see on the 

 promenades and in the parlors of the metropolis, but I 

 never met with a company so graceful and accomplished 

 as were gathered to do honor to this occasion. 



This country wedding has made clear to me, what I 

 never understood before, the claim of this State to be 

 called &quot;The land of Steady Habits&quot; It was easy to see 

 on very short acquaintance the home influences under 

 which these daughters had come up the thorough prac 

 tical training they had received in the school-room, as 

 well as in the kitchen and in the parlor. Probably the 

 State is better furnished than any other with the means 

 of education. In almost every important town, there is 

 a good academy or high school, not only accessible to the 

 daughters of farmers, but largely patronised by them. 

 Here they go with their brothers, as soon as they leave the 

 district school, to be drilled in many of the same studies 

 with them to emulate them in the natural sciences, in 

 mathematics, and in the languages. .The emulation is a 

 healthful one, and the boys are generally put upon their 

 mettle to keep out of the way of the girls. The embellish 

 ments of female education have this very substantial 



