A Tin Wedding by Thunder!-1875

MORLEY, COLLING

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/11/2018 at 21:28:04

Dubuque Daily Times, Wednesday, June 16, 1875, Dubuque, Iowa, Page: 4

FROM DYERSVILLE

A Tin Wedding by Thunder!
DYERSVILLE, June 15

“If ever there are times when heaven tries the hearts of mortals to see whether they be in tune,” it certainly is on occasions like that at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. John Morley, last evening. The cheerfulness and gaiety within contrasted strangely with the battle of the elements without, though the roll of the thunder-drum of heaven, and the gleam of lightening lances, and the dash of the torrents against the casement were scarcely noticed by the gay and happy company who had assembled to surprise the above named parties, by celebrating the event of their tin wedding, and the surprise was as complete as it was possible to imagine, Mr. Morley had been to tea at the usual hour, and had returned to the express office to finish some pressing business transaction; and his amiable lady had gone out to spend the evening with a neighbor. The company had assembled according to directions in the invitations, to the number of over fifty, at the residence of Mr. Jos. Colling, and at about eight o’clock repaired to Mr. Morley with baskets containing all manners of eatable and countless suspicious-looking bundles containing various articles of use and ornament, besides others which were calculated to produce irrepressible merriment. We shall not take to enumerate, but simply say that the article which were most fun inspiring were a monster tin can containing a tin dagger, a pair of tin slippers, and a tin plug hat of the latest cut. The articles to the number of sixty or seventy, were arranged to the best advantage for display. Supper was spread, and a committee dispatched to escort Mr. M. from his office, and Mrs. M. from her visit; and when they were introduced to the large audience of their friends, words cannot picture the surprise depicted on the countenances of both host and hostess. Mr. M., however, speedily recovered his natural equanimity, and delivered a very neat little speech, which we regret we are not able to reproduce. Everything connected with the affair was a gratifying success to all who participated; the supper was most sumptuous, and the amusements cultured and various. Toward the “we sma” hours, the company dispersed to their several homes, with light hearts and cheerful faces, notwithstanding the inclemency of the evening.