The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-12-10

IL liz LOOK Iue woman 10 DC his
welded wife. To this Mr.. Roaring
Bill replied by remarking that he
was about to marry 'Iady," and
that any man who called ewoman"
must be remarkably anxious to in
cur the expense Of personal fune-
raj. Paying no attention to this re-
mark, the clergyman proceeded, and
inquired if the bridegroom would
promise to love, cherish, and protect
the bride. This was regarded by
Mr.. Roaring Bill in the light, of an
unnecessary asking Of fooling ques
lions. "In course do" he replied;
"what do you take me for2 Do you
mean to insinuate that l am playin'
it onto her2 want you to. under
stand that thishyer's square deal,
and if you don't just 60 ahead with
your marryin' and drop this askin'
of impertinent questions, it'll lead to
difficulties. You hear me- Still
the courageous clergyman needless
of the brewing storm, ignored the
bridegroom's Interruptions, and read
the service with cool and steady cou
rage. Presently he inquired of the
bride if she would love, honor and
obey her husband. At this point
the latter drew his revolver and in.
formed the clergyman that be was
fast ripening for the grave. "Any
more personal questions will require
me to answer with thishyer weepon.
| don't wish to make a row in a
church, but if you will have one, just
continue as you, have begun. Tn a
peaceable, long suffering man, but
the hottest feelin's Of this lady's
heart isn't goin' to be pried into by
no man without he hears from me-"
Still the clergyman pursued the
even tenor Of his way. One might
have imagineds that he was deaf SO
utterly needless wasi.he of the irreg.
ular responses made by the bride
groomy aThe spectators who had as
sembled to witness the ceremony
were making bets freely as to wheth
err Mr.. Bill would. kill him at the
first fire, or whether he would mere
ly mark him with a bullet for future
identification Contrary to the gen.
eral anticipation, the bridegroom
male no2furtllcr interruption, eithe,
/ by word or bullet, and the ceremony
came to an end. All might have
ended peaceably had not Mr.. With.
ers determined to do his whole duty
supplemented the ceremony.by kiss.
ling tue bride.
fi9TFhs first bullet missed its mark
Fand che bridegroon,> while pausins
i To adjust bis ain, j remarked til q,
|'this painful immortality on the par,
of the clergy must be checked
Just as he was about to fire the sec
ond shot-having got the clergy
mans right ear in line-the brothe,
of the bride sprang on him and tool
away his pistol. At the same mo.
ment Mr.. Withers tore off his sur
plice, and, leaping over the railing
struck out at Mr.. Roaring Bill in 8
most beautiful and scientific way.
A ring was Immediately formed.
The bride climbed on the baptismal
font and alternately encouraged each
combatant with such inspiring re.
marks as, "Now. Bill, bust him in
the eye" or, Hooray, Parson, the
eyes ofthe Church is on you. Back
up your religion like a little man T.
The eager spectators swarmed into
the church and fought for positions
in the pulpit. The betting at first
was on the bridegroom, but at the
end of ten minutes large odds were
offered on the clergyman. His cou.
rage was undoubted, and his pugilis-
tic skill was simply astounding.
His adversary scarcely touched him,
while the clergyman danced around
him, now closing an eye and now
shaking the foundations of his teeth
with a smiling confidence that crea-
ted the widest enthusiasm. In
twenty minutes and five rounds he
had reduced his man to perfect help
lessness. Mr.. Roaring Bill cried
enough" the spectators cheered,
and the bride, descending from her
perch, kissed the clergyman with
hearty frankness, and informed him
that she should never allow any hus-
band of hers to come between her
and her religion.
Such was the public enthusiasm in
Leadville: over the clergyman's VIC
tory, thatsno less than thirty leading
citizens came forward and offered to
be confirmed as an evidence of their
good will, provided the Rector would
refrain from interfering with card,
playing and other usual Sunday re.
creations. As has been said, the ad-
mi potion ~ T 80