The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-09
A ROMANCE OF LOST RIVER.
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MBu Iu lL uutIl IaSk BaIy Auu IuCu IWO women came. No one knows where they belonged when at home, though at that time it was supposed they were what they said they were e-Boston ladies. They arrived here, says the Lost River cores pondent of the New York SNn, iH re- Sponse to an advertisement ln a San Francisco paper, inserted by two miners who had heard that that was a good way to get companion for life. The adver- tisement was drawn up with great care enc night about a year ago, and after it had been read to the entire camp and pronounced about the thing by every body, it was forwarded to San Francisco with five dollar bill and a request to the publisher that the advertisement be kept in the paper as long as the money would pay for it. So long time elapsed between the sending of the letter and the first response to it that the two ad- vertisers, Hank Thumser and Mohawk, became the objects of good deal of rid icule. Mohawk had been born and raised down on the Laramie plains, and Thumser came west from Arkansaw so long ago that he has forgotten the date himself. Mohawk's fertile brain was the one that originated the scheme of adver- tising for wife. He once knew a man at Julesburg who knew another man whe had done that very thing, and secured an amiable helpmeet from Boston, as he was informed. AS Mohawk had vague sort of an idea that all white women came from Boston, he was particular to state in his card for publication that he wanfed ladv from that city
 The men in the camp had grown tired their fruitless experiment, and had almost forgotten all about it, when one day last September two gaily dressed young women rode into camp and inquired for Thumser and Mohawk. The first-named individual happened to be present when they appeared, and he readily acknowl- edged his identity; but Mohawk, who was up the gulch, manifested great alarm when the messenger sent to call him in. formed him that his wife had arrived. At first he wanted to climb right over the divide and make for British America.
 "It ain't no use," he said. "l never thought she'd come, and I'll just slide now, and nobody'll know anything about it."
 His weather-beaten face grew darker and more leathery than ever, and he made as if to start away; but others of the miners came up, and with a hurrah and whoop half led and half dragged him back to camp. Every little while he would remonstrate, and express his desire to make of, but his entreaties were of no avail. He had to go. Once back in camp, he found that Thumser and several other men were entertaining the ladies in fine style. A lunch had been served and all were enjoying it hugely As Thumser had picked his wife, Mohawk had to take the other one, and after he recovered from his embarrassment which was Ainful at first, said he was satis- fed.
 The women were gaily dressed, of somewhere near the middle age, rather loud-voiced and hilarious in their ways, and well calculated to impress the miners with their smartness. Both declared that they had come all the way from Boston, iu response to the advertisement which they had cnanced to see.
 After many explanations and several very excruciating efforts on the part of Mohawk to be agreeable, it was agreed that the weddings should take place. Then there arose division as to how the ceremony should be performed, which came near ending in bloodshed but the dispute was finally settled by the wo- men. It had been stated in the course of the controversy that old Tom Hughlitt had officiated as preacher at the burial of man few months before, and as he came the nearest to being a preacher of anybody in the camp, it was agreed that he should serve in that capacity.
 Mohawk and Thumser slicked up a little, and old Tom ruminated awhile on the nature of his remarks. Finally, when all was in readiness, the two couples stood up in front of Tom, and all the miners ranged themselves in a circle. round about. It was anything but a funny proceeding. The seriouspess of the matter was recognized by all, more especially by the bridegrooms and the preacher. Old Tom asked the usual questions, and, when they were answered m the affirmative, he made them join hands and swear:
 Now swear," he said, "that you will be husband and wife, and that you won't never go back on each other, so help you God P
 They all, with uplifted hands, swore.
 That's something like it," Tom ob- served, when this had been done. Then, looking around, as if to ascertain if there was anything more to be said or not, he continued:
 elf there's anybody here what would like to say few words, now's the time"
 No one had anything to say, and then Tom, who was beginning to get uneasy, said:
 move we adjourn"
 This was carried with whoop, and the ceremony was over. Things went we'll all winter until about month ago, when trouble broke out. The women pr ,ved dutiful wives. and the civilizing effect of their presence was plainly visisle in the camp. Mohawk's wife, in particular, was weli-hked. She was the better looking of the two, and in many ways was more a0reeable than the oxhAx S.~- Al .:.