Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-11-27

Yesterday morning as Justice Jecko was
sitting in his office porting over the election
returns and congratulating himself on his
good luck in being swindled out Of the NOM
nation for sheriff, a young man from the
rural districts entered and inquired timidly
if the squire was in Jecko informed him
that he was justice Of the peace, and was
sometimes called squire for short.
"Well." said the young man blushing and
casting his eyes upon the floor, "what has a
fellow got to do in this State when he wants
to get married 7"
s:The first thing he must do" replied the
Justice. sis to get a woman"
20, is that all No license? telling it in
church ?"
s.Nary license-nary church Ifhe's old
enough, and the girl is old enough, the law
considers they are both big enough, and the
rest is nobody's business
'.That's just as easy as rolling off log.
Think I'll come to Missouri to live. They
have more freedom here than over in lllinoy
whar come from. Squire" he continued,
laying his hand Familiarity on the Judges
shoulder, GIVE got a gal out thar at the door
and she and me are awful anxious to get
spliced We had hard time stealing away
from the old folks, and had to come down the
Illinoy river in skiff. Last night we camped
on sand-bar, and tell you it won't do to
put off the gettin' married part any longer.
Susan would never forgive me if it was put
off, because she says there would be talk
about us roosting on the sand bar.
well, just bring Susan in, and I'll fix
the thing all right in FIVE minutes Siegwart
the constable, will be here pretty soon, and
be will be the witness"
"All right; she's right out here in front
of pile Of cabbages, and I'll fetch her in at
once"
The young man stepped out and in mo-
ment returned accompanied by rosy checked
damsel, dressed in red calico with white spots
and wearing heavy green veil. Lifting up
her veil she said
''Mister, don't want to have any foolin'
about this here marriage. If you are real
squire it's all right; but I have heard Of fell
lers passing themselves off for squires that
was no squires at all.
"You see my sign out at the door; amt
that enough to satisfy you2 III show you
my commission"
II seed John Jecko, Justice of the Peace
painted on board, but there amt nothin'
about Squire on it "
ooh, it's all the same; we are called JUS
tics in Missouri, and not 'squires. :"
"We!l, go ahead, I'll take you at a ven
ture but if you fool me you'll catch Hail
Columbia for it some of these days Ii you
wasn't good looking man I would doubt
your word !, but you are too pretty to tell a
In short time Siegwart came in, and the
Justice told the young couple to join hands.
They did SO, both blushing and looking fond
ly at each other In less than the time men
toned the twain were made man and wife,
and when the last word was spoken the bride
stepped up to the Justice, and putting Der
lips close to his, said;
II spose you want to salute the BRIDE
don't you 2"
Certainly" replied Jecko, and putting
one arm arreennd the plump ueck Of the L. LADY,
he gave her such smack ln.. s''ee"a''
thought pane Of glass was broken:
Fire away, Squire p said the bridegroom,
''take just as many Of them as You can stand d
up under; there's plenty left for me guess. ,
"You got yours in advance, Thomas, and
the Squire is such pretty man that ne can
have another if he wants it,
The bridegroom then handed the Justice
ten dollar bill, and told him his first boy
should be named John, and if it was q girl
he'd call her Josephine in honor Of the con:
stable. He became communicative, and
told long story Of his courtship and elope-
ment. He said that he and Susan had long
had laundering after each other, but her
mother wanted her to marry preacher on
the circuit, who had recently lost his wife,
and had four children who we're suffering for
step mother. Susan did not like the idea
of taking care Of other peoples Children and
the short and long of 1t was that one nlgh,
they stole away from the neighborhood, and
purchasing skiff from a fisherman near Fer
kin. had come down the river to st Louis