The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-11-29
Married Mi,hout Money.
RIn Nyc. IN New York Mereury.

Is dealt out by II justice OF the peace i
in a young territory. During eight /
years in my official capacity as gener- I
al agent for substantial justice and t
durable wedlock, was called upon a
great many times to ladlc out. my
blessing ut so much per bless under
very peculiar circumstances. I've
done a noble work as II coupler and
splicist, Looking back over those
eight years, it seems almost like
dream. Whenever ! was called to go,
! cheerfully put on my oycrcoat and
went.
/ married people in the light and
the dark OF the moon, in the office
and at home, on horseback and afoot,
young and DID, tender and tough.
] married them all. Twas never in
quisitive beyond what the statute
required, and i never had any
one come back TO me or complain.
1t always seemed to give satisfac-
ton.
The ceremony wasn't very impos-
ing, though. | used to think some
times that the groom was imposing
ON the bride. (This is little epigram.
have quite r number Of this style
which / am keeping for the Holt
days.)
We never had much OF the orange
blossom and swallow-tail coat business
in my studio. generally invited the
couple to st on the wood-box till got
through with the simple DRINKS,
and then we would call in the marshal
and the janitor AZ witnesses and pro-
coed.
! remember, one day, gentleman
named Chilblain Henry, came in from
the head OF the Chug Water and
brought with him Mexican woman
commonly called Beautiful Snow Col
orado Maduro. She was of a rich nut,
brown color with wonderful wealth
of raven hair, which she combet
whenever the sign was right, but i
hadn't been right for good while
She was dressed plainly, but neatly il
nm old lap-robe, caught back will
safety-pins and held in place b,
means of n broad horse-hair cinch
which had been an heirloom in tn
family. She was about forty-eigh
years old, and asked in banterm
tone if she had her parents consen
She did not understand me, as sh
only knew q little broken cigar-bo
English.
Thinking perhaps she might /
more familiar with the early histoI
of her race, asked her if she remen
bered Pizarro, but she only laughe
and displayed her tottering ruin of
mouth,
l believe she was the most sorro,
Unlocking hulk | ever saw. She W
rather thin in flesh, and her no
looked like the breast-bone of san
Hill crane.
Her union with Chilblain Henry d
not seem to saturatc her with a gre
wild Joy. She stood there throu
the imposing ceremony with her CT
little Mexican feet just peeping q
from under the heavy drapcry OF !
lap-robe, and mechanically answer
the legal questions propounded to ]
in rich, deep and resonant tone
voice. Somehow could not h,
wondering if she did not love ano
er. Perhaps she had given her you
heart to some neighboring grea
and smiled on him, perhaps, a
it had thrown him into cony
sions from which he never had
covered.
When ! got through, Chilbl
Henry saluted his bride ! had he
before that he was very brave IN
Then he cordially inviten me to di
told him thatit might occasion Il
He said he didn't want any foolishr
or funny business. He allowed t
a magistrate had the right to
luto the bride and it looked k
Of outre to waive it. He VIC
not pay me, he said, unless ] salt
the bride.
"Never mind the pay, Henry" s
between old friends so it don't i
ter. Hand it in any time. | d
care If you never pay it; but to
you the truth, Henry, I'm afraiC
kiss Colorado Maduro. | am a ]
OF strong impulses and do not
to salute her. When I caught hel
my arms might forget my
homo ties and kidnap your fair yo
bride and dash away with her to
mountains. know my own
ings, Henry, better than you do.
wouldn't be right, and it W
certainly make talk. However, if
insist, l will give my proxy to fl
Of mine, who is totally blind,
who is accustomed to all kinds Of
rors."
He went away with his wife, int
A. 1000 Ill. o,l LII MN ha ,