The morning of the day set apart by Isaac Younker, as the one which was to see him duly united to Peggy Wilson, came in due time—­as many an important one has both before and since—­without one visible sign in the heavens, or otherwise, to denote that any thing remarkable was about to happen.  In fact it might be put down to the reverse of all this; for, unlike the generality of wished-for days, it was exceedingly fair, balmy, and beautiful.  The sun rose at the expected time, large and red, and saluted the hills and tree-tops, and anon the vales, with a smiling light, as though he felt exceedingly happy to greet them again after a calm night’s repose.  The dew sparkled on blade and leaf, as if with delight at his appearance; a few flowers modestly uncovered their blooming heads; a few warblers of the forest—­for although autumn had nearly half advanced, some had delayed their journey to the sunny south—­sung gleesome songs; and altogether the morning in question was really a delightful one.

The family of the Younkers were stirring betimes, making the necessary preparations for their departure, and looking out for the expected guests; who, according to the custom of the period, first assembled at the residence of the groom, to proceed thence in company with him to the mansion of the bride, which place they must always reach in time to have the ceremony performed before partaking of the dinner prepared for the occasion.  For this purpose, as the distance to the house of the fair intended was not unfrequently considerable, they generally came at an early hour; and as Isaac’s fair Peggy was not likely to be visible short of a ten miles’ ride, his companions for the journey accordingly began to appear in couples before his father’s dwelling, ere the sun was an hour above the hills.

Isaac, on the present occasion, stood ready to receive them as they rode up, arrayed in his wedding garments; which—­save a few trifling exceptions in some minor articles, and the addition of five or six metal buttons displayed on his hunting frock in a very singular manner, and a couple of knee buckles, all old family relics—­presented the same appearance as those worn by him during his ordinary labors.  And this, by the way, exhibits another feature of the extreme simplicity of the time—­and one too highly praise-worthy—­when the individual was sought for himself alone, and not for the tinsel gew-gaws, comparatively speaking, he might chance to exhibit.  Necessity forced all to be plain and substantial in the matter of dress; and consequently comfort and convenience were looked to, rather than ostentatious display.  All at that day were habited much alike—­so that a description of the costume of one of either sex, as in the case of their habitations, previously noted, would describe that of a whole community.