without the ring—a baleful custom that is fast stealing
into our presbyterian Zion,—she had most prudently
provided one, the which she cunningly slipped into
my band in the nick of time, as the saying is, and
thereby prevented what might have been a scene of
confusion, not to speak of embarassing delay.
We had, I think, just as fine a honeymoon as any young married couple could wish to enjoy. At my time of life I did not think to experience such unspeakable pleasure. It was not only a pleasure, but it was a revelation of which, in my long years of studious celibacy, I had but imperfect dreams. Having no powers of descriptive writing, I must content myself by remarking that, under the care of a most merciful Providence, we passed safely through many dangers by land and sea in railway trains and steam vessels. I would fain have settled down at once in some quiet sea-side resort to enjoy leisurely the sweets of matrimony, but my wife would see this and that, and was possessed of such a restless desire for ferlies in the way of sight-seeing, that I was nearly traiked off my feet, insomuch that I took a sore turn of rheumatic pains in the calfs of my legs, arising, as the doctor told us, from too much bodily exercise. This brought us at length to the sea-side. Here we rested for fully a week. My wife has great skill in specifics, and wrought a marvellous cure by the application of hot seaweed boiled in its native water. I make this
