The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-03-21
MARRIED WITHOUT MONEY.
A Romantic and Truthful Narrative OF
the Frontier.

A Romantic and Truthful Narrative OF
the Frontier.
There are good many singular in
cidents connected with the administra-
ton of matrimony, especially as it is
dealt out by Justice of the Peace in a
young Territory. During eight years
in my official capacity as general agent
for substantial justice and durable we'd
lock, was called upon great many
times to ladle out my blessing at so
much per bless under very peculiar cir
cumstances. I've done noble work
as coupler and splicist. Looking
back over these eight years, it seems
almost like dream. Wherever / was
called to go, cheerfully put on my
overcoat and went.
married people in the light and the
dark of the moon, in the office and at
home, on horseback and a-foot, young
and old, tender and tough. | married
them all. was never inquisitive be-
yond what the statute required, and l
never had any one come back to me or
complain. 1t always seemed to give
satisfaction.
The ceremony wasn't very imposing,
though. l used to think sometimes
that the groom was imposing-on the
bride. (This is little epigram. |
have quite number of this style which
I am keeping for the holidays.)
We never had much of the orange
blossom and swallow-tail coat business
in my studio. l generally invited the
couple to sit on the wood-boX till got
through with the simple DRINKS, and
then we would call in the Marshal and
the janitor as witnesses and proceed.
l remember, one day, a gentleman
named Chilblain Henry, came in from
the head of the Chug Water and
brought with him a Mexican woman
d. commonly called Beautiful Snow, Colo
RADIO Maduro. She was of a rich nut
brown color with wonderful wealth
of raven hair, which she combed when
ever the sign was right, but it hadn'
been right for a good while. She was
dressed plainly, but neatly in an ole
lap-robe, caught back with safety-pin
and held in place by means of a broaC
horse-hair cinch, which had been al
heirloom in the family. She was abou
forty-eight years old, and | asked in {
bantering tone if she had her parents
consent. She did not understand me
as she only knew little broken cigar
box English.
Thinking perhaps she might be NOR
familiar with the early history of he
race, / asked her if she remembers
Pizarro, but she only laughed and dis
played her tottering ruin of mouth.
/ believe she was the most sorrowfu
looking hulk l ever saw. She wa
rather thin in flesh, and her nos
looked like the breast-bone of sane
hill crane.
Her union with Chilblain Henry di
not seem to saturate her with a grei
wild ioy.. She stood there through I'll
imposing ceremony with her cute lit
Mexican feet just peeping out fro
under the heavy drapery of her la
; robe, and mechanically answered Il
legal questions propounded to her in
rich, deep and resonant tone of vote
Somehow could not help wonderir
if she did not love another. Perhal
she had given her young heart to son
neighboring grcaser and smiled {
him, perhaps, and it had thrown hi
: into commissions from which he new
had recovered.
When l got through, Chilbla
Henry saluted his bride. | had hea
IS before that he was very brave ma
Then he invited me to ditto. / to
Il him it might occasion talk. He sa
|, he didn't want any foolshness
! funny business. He allowed that
:. magistrate had right to salute t
> bride and it looked kind of outre
8 waive it. He would not pay me,
h said, unless / saluted the bride.
l. Never mind the pay, Henry" ] sal
IS "between old friends; so it don't m;
= ter. Hand it in any time. | dol
=. care if you never pay it; but to tell y
the truth, Henry, I'm afraid to k
n Colorado Maduro. | am man
= strong impulses, and do not dare
a salute her. When | caught her in I
81 arms / might forget my own home t
N and kidnap your fair young bride a
. dash away with her to the mountains.
20 know my own failings, Henry, bet
: than you do. 1t wouldn't be rig
no and it would certainly make ia
ia However, if you insist, will give
bo proxy to friend of mine, who
i totally blind, and is accustomed to
n, kinds of horrors"
"a He went away with his wife, into
i, ing to come back and kill me, he st
~ but after had stayed in the Office
. hind the fireproof safe two days, v
70 the doors locked, some friend ca
az and told me that Henry had done
% whole thing on bet that he would
&c married and that l wouldn't cha
H. him cent. Blu Nye, in NJ Y. Mercl
an He Let His Cows For Beans.
he ''Yf Smith don't keep his cow on