Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-12-21

ment to play with her little white feet
in one of the pools that the receeding
tide had left, and then plunging glee-
fully into the surf, was picture for a
painter. Clad in bewitching bath
ing cos nme of white and scarlet, and
with her beautiful yellow hair stream
ing over her shoulders, she looked to
Jack Turner, peeping through the
round window of his bathing house,
like poetic embodiment of summer
sunshine, glancing for moment
across the sand. aud then slipping into
the cool wave and riding upon its
crest. Jack himself, as be entered the
water farther down the beach, dressed
in baggy blue shirt and trowsers,
was scarcely so picturesque. At the
waters edge stood the terrible maid.
en- aunt, and in a carriage near at
hand, sat the two military gentlemen.
Clara was certainly taking her bath
in the presence of vlgilant assem-
bly,.
"Now, them thought, Jack "bere
we are. What's to be done next p
As he padded farther out into the
surf, he saw, slowly swimming down
tho beach. outside the first line of
breakers, straw bathing hat, which
rose and fell upon the huge rollers,
aud occasionally disappeared entire
ly. As the hat came nearer, a hu-
man head became visible beneath it,
and on reaching a point near Clara,
it stopped and evidently addressed
her. The lady on the beach and the
gentlemen in the carriage became
restless. So did Jack, and ne swan
toward the two figures in the water,
who now appeared to be in earnest
conversation.
"Bless me p exclaimed Jack as be
came nearer. | believe it is Gray
sop."
The water whore they stood was
nearly shoulder deep, and each huge
roller that came in from seward
lifted them from their feet and rend-
cred conversation somewhat diff
cult.
"We must hurry up this business"
said Grayeon as Jack arrived. give
explained it all to Miss Montieth, and
old-what's- his-name there in the car
riage and the lady's aunt will be wit
ness"
He removed his scoop-shaped bath
ing hat, and took therefrom small
book which he held at arms length
above his head. Jack, OWNED his
intention at once, and selling Clara's
hand beneath the water, pressed it
to his heart. At that moment a
huge wave swept over him and the
entire party disappeared from view.
dearly beloved" said Grayson,
spluttering and reading from the
book, which he still held in his hand,
though it was now reduced nearly to
pulp, dearly beloved, we are
galherei together here-in the face
of this company, to join-together
this msn and this woman 10 holy
m atrimony.'
He paused until the next wave
passed, and then proceeded.
"If any man can show just cause
why--they may not lawfully be join
ed together (there goes my hat } let
him now speak, or else hereafter for
ever hold his peace"
The wild wash of the sea was the
only answer to this challenge, al
though Clara's friends on the shore
were gesticulaSing violently. They
were out of hearing, however, aud
Grayson continued
"John Henry Turner, wilt thou
have this woman to be thy welded
wife, to live-tug-gug-gug-"
The Rev. Mr.. Grayson's mouth
was full of salt water, and the rest
of the sentence was indistingnish-
able.
Twill !" yelled Jack, lesping into
the air to avoid the next roller that
broke over them.
"Clara Montieth, wilt thou have
this man to be thy welded husband.
(we'll have to shorten this, for | am
getting chilly ?"
81 will" said Clara.
"Who giveth this woman to be
married 20 this man ?" asked Gray
son, looking toward the shore, whore
the old gentlemen, who bad descend
cd from their carriage, were ranged
with the n alden aunt along the edge
Of the water gesticulatng in the
most frantic manner, like the brig
ands in the opera.
"You do, oh ?" be said. Then, turn
ing to Jack and Clara, be continued i:
''Then pronounce you man and
wife, and may
A monstrous bilIow struck the
Rev. Grayson in the small Of the
back, and launched him upon all
tours towards tho beach. When he
emerged, Clara and jock had disap-
peared.
keep the book" he said, handing
it to Jack, as be and his bride strug.
gled to their feet "the marriage
certificate is in it. And now let US
make peace with your father, Miss
Montieth, and your husband that
was to be-"
1t was not very promising task,
for the former gentleman, who SEEM
to have gained an inkling of what
was going on, was stamping up and
down the beach in perfect fury.
Encouraged by Grayson's presence,
however, Jack and Clara knelt be-
fore him.
"Allow me to present to you Mr..
and Mrs. John Turner" said Mr.
Grayson.
"Clara, go to Your clearinghouse
and dress, this instant" exclaimed
the old gentleman fercely. "What
tomfoolery is all this, sir, and who
the devil are you p
sWho the devil am ?" asked
Grayson.
eyes, sir. who the devil are your
repeated Mr.. Montieth, livid with
rsge.
"My name is Grayson, sir, and /
have just married your daughter to