"I mean to just queen it, mother,
In society everywhere,
And my title of Belle of the City
I shall continue to wear.
I don't believe that a woman
By marriage should be tied down
To wearing a smile for her husband
And for all other men a frown.
"I mean to dress better than ever,
And be just as merry and free.
Children! the troublesome wretches!
No ma'am, not any for me.
I know I'd be cross and unhappy,
With children to tease, and annoy.
A joy, you say, to be mother,
Well, I will be spared that joy."
Across the hall in their bedroom
A hale old couple sat,
Minnie's grandfather and mother,
Having a good night chat.
"So, the last of the children is going,"
Grandmother said, and sighed,
"Minnie, (we named her Mary,)
To-morrow will be a bride.
"It will be a great occasion,
All glitter and glow and shine,
A nineteenth century wedding,
Not much like yours, and mine.
A few good friends were with us,
When we were married, John,
They came to see us united--
Not to see what the bride had on.
"I wore a snowy muslin,
And a white rose in my hair,
No silks nor gems, nor diadems--
And yet you thought me fair.
We stood in the broad cool kitchen,
On the white and sanded floor,
And a breeze from the odorous orchard,
Looked in at the open door.
"The minister read the service
That made us one for life,
And I was no longer a maiden
But a loved and cherished wife.
You took me home on the morrow!
Six miles, in a one-horse chaise;
Folks didn't race over the country
'Touring' in those old days.
"Our house was a tiny cabin
That would just hold two, you said,
But ere a year, you found, my dear
There was room for three, instead.
Ah me! that wonderful baby!
'Twas a moment of perfect bliss
When I held up the pink faced darling
For his father's tender kiss.
"Then came a dear little daughter!
And then more boys and girls
Till you built on a wing to the cabin
To cover their sunny curls.
There was never a happier woman
In all of the land I know,
Singing away at my labor--
Watching the children grow.
"I had my beaux and lovers,
When I was a girl; but when
I became your bride I put aside
All thoughts of other men.
Lover, and king, and husband,
And friend, I found in you,
And you repaid my devotion,
By being kind, and true.
"Ah well! the world keeps changing
And weddings have changed with the rest,
People go only to comment
And see how the bride is drest.
Girls wed houses and titles
Instead of men as of old,
And babies are out of the fashion
And all that glitters is gold.