“Let the reader,” says a historian, in speaking of the manners and dress of those noble pioneers, “imagine an assemblage of people, without a store, tailor, or mantuamaker within an hundred miles; and an assemblage of horses, without a blacksmith or saddler within an equal distance.  The gentlemen dressed in shoepacks, moccasins, leather breeches, leggins, linsey hunting-shirts, and all home-made.  The ladies dressed in linsey petticoats, and linsey or linen bed-gowns, coarse shoes, stockings, handkerchiefs, and buckskin gloves, if any.  If there were any buckles, rings, buttons or ruffles, they were the relics of old times—­family pieces from parents or grandparents.  The horses were caparisoned with old saddles, old bridles or halters, and packsaddles, with a bag or blanket thrown over them—­a rope or string as often constituting the girth as a piece of leather.”

But to our story: 

Since leaving Isaac in the preceding chapter, after his important announcement, as therein recorded, he had been by no means idle.  The two days immediately following had been spent by him in riding post-haste through the surrounding country, to inform his friends that he was on the point of becoming a married man, and require their presence at the appointed hour and place of ceremony.  The rest of the time (Sunday of course exempted) had been carefully husbanded by him in making all due preparation; and he now stood before his expected guests with the air one, to use a common phrase, who has not been caught napping.  For each, as they rode up, he had a friendly salutation and familiar word; and inviting them to dismount and enter, until the whole number should be arrived, he led away and secured their horses to the neighboring trees.

In due time the last couple made their appearance; and having partaken of some refreshment, which was highly recommended and presented by Mrs. Younker herself—­whose tongue, by the way, had seen no rest for at least two hours—­the whole party, in gleeful spirits, prepared to mount and set forth on their journey.  Even Algernon, as he assisted the graceful Ella into her saddle, and then sprung lightly himself upon the back of a high mettled, beautiful steed by her side, could not avoid exhibiting a look of cheerfulness, almost gaiety, in striking contrast to his habitual gloom.  And this too produced a like effect upon Ella; who, mounted upon a fine spirited, noble animal, and displaying all the ease and grace of an accomplished rider, with her flushed cheek and sparkling eyes, seemed the personification of loveliness.  Her dress was exceedingly neat, of the fashion and quality worn in the east—­being one she had brought with her on her removal hither.  A neat hood, to which was attached a green veil, now thrown carelessly back and floating down behind, covered her head and partially concealed a profusion of beautiful ringlets.