One of the pleasant incidents of the summer days was a visit Mary paid with her father and mother to Robert’s cabin. They were surprised at its size, since it was even larger than their own home provided for the good-sized family it housed. Then, while Robert drew the father to the top of the hill to show him the outlook and also to give him an idea of the work he was undertaking, Mary and her mother, as they believed Robert would wish, examined the interior of the cabin. Again they were surprised when they saw all that had been done to make the place a real home. The neatness of the cabin, considering that it was looked after by a man, was unusual. They appreciated, too, the careful work the young man had done in putting together the furniture which was placed around the three rooms, and saw that he had made every provision he knew how for the partner who was to occupy the home with him. They all appreciated that this, too, was to be a real home, and the father and mother, understanding how sturdy was the character of the young man who had prepared it, had had little hesitation in granting his request when, a short time previously, he had come to ask them for their daughter as his bride.
Between Mary and Robert themselves the utmost sympathy prevailed. It was hardly necessary to discuss the matter of an acknowledgment, for as they associated with one another during Robert’s visits and walked together when occasion permitted, the kindredness of thought and feeling was so apparent that each knew their future was bound up in the other. It was a case where God had seemed to direct, where surely a guiding hand, stronger than man’s, had been in evidence.
The wedding day was set for October 16th in the year 1819, and again nature seemed to be decked for the occasion. The forest foliage, while in a dull season, still showed bright hues. What wild flowers still bloomed in the fall of the year were used to decorate the table, and enough of these remained to provide garlands for the bride to wear. The wedding dinner was provided almost altogether by the newly-cleared land and by the animals which God provided in the district.
Simplicity prevailed everywhere in those days. There was no thought of a wedding journey. After the ceremony Robert led his bride slowly from her home to the new one. Over the trail they went quietly, thinking thoughts of the happy future; over the trail upon which they had first met less than six months before; and, as they passed, the spirit of love seemed everywhere, and in the peacefulness of the day there seemed to lie a promise of a peaceful and happy life for the newly-wedded couple. When they arrived at the door of the new home it was opened by the hand of him who was now husband. The cabin was entered, Mary tripping over the doorstep like a queen, and as Robert welcomed her, as he had never been able to do before, he realized that the cabin had now become a real home.
Love and Home.
No palace, house or cot can make a home;
Home must be made by love, and love alone.
Love can build sanctuaries in deserts bare,
Raise homes of peace and hope and loving care;
Sweet homes of freedom, where the worn may rest,