The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-03-24
WEDDING GUESTS.
An Episode of Pioneer Life in Colorado

opal dlmneSS OF the sou OcCOOeT maze,
through which, among the pines,
aspen groves shone like yellow flames.
The air, in it's mingled brightness and
vigor, rekindled that pure JOY of liv-
ing whose loss the effeminate world
bewails to-day. But it also reminded
the miner that it was time to bank
his cabin, or leave for the valley, a
thing he was likely to do earlier than
usual this year on account of threat
ened Indian troubles. It likewise set
Mrs. Kent to making preparations FOR
her only daughters wedding. Out
there weddings do not occur every
day, nor are they generally of great
Importance when they do. Mrs. Kent
having been widowed by accident
some years before, had proved herself
a brisk, capable woman, had opened
stopping place on the road to the
mines. and made it, with Maudy's
help, 50 clean, so homelike and popu-
lar, that she was in a fair way to
become a capitalist.
It could not be expected that such
state of things would long endure
without some matrimonial catas-
trophe, though both were adored with
that general affection which is not
dangerous in it's results. Maudy's
choice had at last fallen on young
ranchman, we'll started in life, but no
great favorite of Mrs. Kent's.
The poor, hearty, generous miners!
All the delicacies of Delmonico's can
not so please the cloyed appetites of
it's patrons as the prospect OF whole
some "square meal does them.
At the very moment, however,
when the minister was ready to unite
George Dickerson and Amanda Kent
in holy bonds, the young lady proved
her womanly qualities by an engaging
fit of hesitation. She didn't know as
she wanted to get married at all. In
vain her girl-friends soothed the sob.
bling bride-elect, and urged her not
to disappoint every one. She only
retorted, half angrily, "Just wait
till you go to get married, and see II
it isn't serious.
The patient preacher had just
opened proceedings in the orthodox
manner when a galloping horse, the
Western signal of disaster, was heard
without. A moment after, d red
headed youth burst in the door, but
no one resented his want of manners
as the new arrival gasped:
''The Arrapahoes ISIS a comm
Hundreds of 'em! I saw 'em, and
rum ..,.
"Where? How fast? How manya'
were the questions hailed on the unre'
{, spending herald, who, pitching him
self ON horseback, was out Of sight IL
a twinkling. u
OF course it was fair chance tt
make piece of border history--tt
die in defence of the ladies and tn
dinner; but no one happened to see i
in that light. Miners, so far from
loving bloodshed, are, in their dali,
lives, the most order-loving people il
the world. Danger does not brighter
them, but many had no firearms. TIL
house was a wooden one, ten mile
from town, unfit, for lack of ammuni
ton, to stand siege at all. So, t.
the immense relief Of the women
they resolved to evacuate tn
premises.
Helter-sFelter, not without fierc
regret for the lost provisions, the
mounted and rode off. Mrs. Kent
light wagon was filled; George an
Mandy were to ride behind, when tn
girl suddenly requested him to wait
minute. George, white as ashes
demurred, but she was resolute
declaring that she would go back alon
if he did not wait. While she ran Il
stairs he remained by the gate, shall
ing in every limb as he looked at til
low hills Of the east. The last of til
fugitives had disappeared, still she di
come.
'Mandy, Mandee," he called, rattle
family, then turned, and, in Il yer
table paroxysm of terror, dropped he
pony's rein and hurried away towar
town.
y In five minutes Mandy Kent cam
down, a dark cloak thrown over he
light dress. Nothing living was to I
seen except her pony and the chicken
who pecked away as TRANQUILITY as
chicken was deadly poison to savage
With feeling of bitter and indigna1
disappointment she tried to catch h
pony. The skittish beast retreated |
a steep gulch. She followed it
little distance, then looked back, al
her heart sickened as she. saw, comm
up from the plain, a swarm Of linda
ponies. She ran up the ravine to
little cabin, put there long ago f
calves; drew out and examined tt
cause Of her delay, a handsome dagg
she had played with as child, al
crouched in the darkest corner of h
retreat, her heart beating till she w
almost blind, her nerves strung to t
highest pitch of excitement Al
terror.
III.
If you do not know what an Indi
scare is, tits useless to describe
No civilized understanding can &C
ceive the horror of dealing with a
apparently as subtle and as cruel
the evil one himself. If you are ;
quainted with the West, you will
able to picture for yourself the ct
sternation produced in D. by t
q startling news. Brick houses were
great demand. Women gathered