Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-02-13
hand, which Bill shook warmly.
With frank smile sine said:

lin glad to meet you, MIR. Par
son, especially on sich an occasion
as this, Are you married man ?"
"Not to alarmin' extent 1 amt
an no aggravatin' symptoms O. tht
matermonial fever in sight yit. New
ertheless, I'm one as highly ap
proves O. young folks a s.artin' il
together an playin' pardners in the
game O. life, an L b'lleve from yel
appearance, Miss Dawson, that this
young buck hyar might hunt till old
Gabe toots his 5ugle for the fna
balancin' O. airthly accounts, an
not find a pardner thet kin help
through life any better ner you kin
You'll have my blessin' as long as
you live."
The young couple thanked him
warmly, after which they retired to
q resi- room to prepare for the cere-
mony.
In a few moments the old man in
formed Bill that the candidates We're
ready. and called the outsiders into
the room. When they were all
seated, Bill arose and said:
Friends, this occasion air one
that kinder stumps me, seein' as
how I never seed trick O this kind
worked. I never yit drawel outen
game, though, arter settin' in it,
an I'm going to splice these young
folks the best I know how, an let
'em go right along with eg'lar per-
ceedin' O. married life, an then ii we
ever find out thet thar's anything in
my ,style O. doin' the job thet don't
cotton to the law, we kin fix it up
afterwards. Somebody's liable to
climb up outer the frame O the fust
duck, tibet interrupts the perceedin's s
by laughin' or chippin' in to correct
anything thet don't suit 'em; SO the
best advice I kin sling at We now is,
to keep yer musical apertures closed,
an let me engineer the job in my
own way. Trot out the victim"
The candidates marched out and
placed themselves in front Of the
preacher, while whole troop of
mountain girls followed, and ranged
themselves upon either side. When
quiet was restored, the ceremony be-
gan: 4
"Please catch hands. Tom Par
ker, bein' in yer right mind, do you
promise me as a minister o the gos-
pei, thet you will alters be square
husban' to the gal tibet you hold by
the hand; thet you'll freeze to her
through thick an thin, an never
give her the cold shake without just
grounds; tibet you'll be to her all n
husban' should be, an love her, an
provide fur her, an keep your wealth
er-eye offn other females till death
grips onto you, SO help you Gol?"
Hope to die if 1 don't!' was the
earnest reply.
Miss Dawson, bein' satisfied in
yer own mind thet yer love fur this
man amt simply case O bein' tuck
arter him bekase he's little on the
goodin' order, I want ter AK you if
yer sure O. yer own fellin's, an really
want this man fur yer husban'? 1t
amt too late yit to crawhsh, if ys
wont ter jump the game, but its yer
last chance"
"This is on the dead square, Mr..
Bill, or 1 wouldn't be hyar," was
her reply.
Wal, then, do you give me your
word thet yell take him fur Yer hus-
band, an be to him squar' wife,
now an forevermore, amen p
IN do my level best!'
Then, things appearin' straight,
l unanermousiy proclaim you man
an wife in tue name O the gospel,
in sich cases made an pervided.
Afore I let up on you I think it high
ly proper to give you few words o
advice. Tue game yer tacklin' is
a new one to ye, but il yoll jist
watch the run O the keards, an all
ers play inter each others hands,
yoa' II win every time, but if you go
buckin' agin each other on the start
you'll lose your grip right on the
fust deal, an go through without
winnin' a bet. It's the easiest thing
in the world to work together in
harness if you'll make this agree
ment right on the outset; to wit:
Never to both get mad at the same
time. Live up to this, and III gam
bio my last piece that Ton'll never
be bald-headed afore his time, nor
Mag never git her eye ornamented
in family misunderstanding Give
US shake now, an may God alters
deal out blessin's to you in showers. .
Warm and hearty were the con-
gratulations rendered to the couple
after the greetings supper was an
nounced, and ample justice done to
the good things prepared by the
bride and her mother. Darkness.
began to envelop the range as the
party arose from the table, and in {
very few minutes the large room wal
cleared of its movable furniture, can
dies lighted, the fiddler in his seat