A hunter's life. 61 



thitht-r for (hem. I set out from that town to my bro- 

 tlier's, twelve miles below, and made liim acquainted with 

 my intentions. He made no objections to the matcli, but 

 said he could not attend. I staid two nights and one day 

 with him, and then returned home. 



The next week we made our preparations, and Thurs- 

 day, the 30th day of April, 1799, was appointed for our 

 marriage. 



Our friends assembled to ride with us into Pennsylvania, 

 to get a magistrate to perform the marriage ceremony ; 

 which in those days was the only way open to all the 

 young people to become joined in wedlock. The morning 

 being a fine clear one, with the prospect of a good day, 

 I thought it certainly was the beginning of some great 

 jubilee, when all creation would be restored to the highest 

 summit of its glory. 



Everything being ready, we all set off in great spirits, and 

 at a rattling pace ; for all the girls in the company could 

 ride like show-masters. In a few hours we found ourselves 

 at the magistrate's office, and were soon called on to stand 

 up before that sagacious officer, who was a Presbyterian, 

 and professed great piety. He gave us such a lengthy 

 exhortation that I became tired of his noise ; but at 

 length he got into the right way by saying, " What God 

 hath joined together let no man put asunder." Then, 

 after putting the necessary questions, and obtaining the 

 proper answers, he pronounced us man and wife. 



" Thank you, Mr. Squire," said I ; " that is what I have 

 wanted to be a long time." 



After receiving the old man's blessing, he dismissed us, 

 and we were soon on our way home, which we reached 

 about four o'clock. 



Mr, McMullen, having become somewhat softened, 

 through the advice of his friends, had prepared a dinner 

 for our little but light-hearted party, and the night was 



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