The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-26


back soon, and then, fellows, I'm going to
raise troop for the regular service.
There shall be no sitting down in the Chin
ney corner for me until the red coats have
been driven to their ships"
There was not one present but wished to
serve under George. Some we're so young,
however, that they felt they must first con
suit their parents.
Burton now gave George a Significant
glance, indicating that something should
be said which had been agreed upon be-
forehand. "Oh," resumed George, good
naturally, 81 know how it will be. Some
can ride with me to future exploits, and
some cannot and ought not to. l reckon
the duty and inclination of each will soon
be clear But before we break up our old
relations feel that something should be
done to celebrate our happy escapes and
general good fortune-something that
will complete our experiences together
and leave the pleasantest of memories. In
order to bring this about, l shall have to
appeal to our kind hostess and her fair
daughter. They both know that I'd bite
my tongue out before I'd ask favor
which was not for their good as we'll as for
mine. Yet am going to ask something
that will be great favor to me, and far
greater one to my friend, Burton Craige,
and that is that that we celebrate our sue
cess and relief from daily and hourly fear
of every kind of wrong by an old-fashion-
ed country wedding. Nay, good mistress
McIntire, do not start. | know You are
about to say that they are too young, and
all that; but l can tell you that there's
many gray beard in the country that is
not so muuh of man as Burton. You
are left without husband; he without
father or mother, and the future is uncer-
tain to us all. These are not ordinary
peaceful times. We must secure what we
can while we can. What's more, when
Burton gives Ella his name, he endows her
with goody property, and provides for
her future, as he wishes to do, no matter
what may happen to him."
"Yes mother, DEAR" cried Burton,
George knows how to talk and has ex-
pressed my wishes-my dearest hopes.
Before ride away with him to new dan
gers l want to call Ella my wife, and
give her all have in the world, with my
self"
"And we, mistress McIntire," said the
other young men in chorus, 'wouldn't
miss the chance of dancing at Burton's
wedding for all the pay we ever expect
from congress-"
"Well, well" said the good woman smil-
ing, yet wiping tears from her eyes, show
can refuse anything to such friends as
you have been to me and mine If Bur-
ton so wishes it-Angus, you have done
so much towards taking your fathers
place, that you, after all, are the one to
speak"
"Oh, Buttons talked me over" replied
the boy, laughing, and his words found an
echo in a merry shout of exultation.
Ella, meanwhile. had been standing o
little aloof, blushing like Carolina Rose
as she was Now she tossed her head in
dignantly and said, "But I've not been
talked over. 1 reckon I've something to
say in the matter"
Every young trooper sprung from his
chair, overturning some in their eager
ness, and, led by Burton, knelt at her feet.
She tried to avert her face and look
aggrieved, but their comi0al position and
outstret1hed hands upset her gravity. Her
mouth twitched, then out chimed mel
law peal of laughter. Instantly Burton
seized her hand, carried it to his lips and,
standing by her side, declared that he was
ready for the ceremony at once.
1t was eventually arranged that tho
wedding should take place a week from
that day, and that the happy pair should
spend their honeymoon at Burton's plan
tation. The days passed swiftly in the
hustle of preparation. Burton's home
was put in order to receive its young mis-
tress, his aunt returning from he northern
refuge to superintend arrangements, and
to do honor to tAe occasion. Invitations
were sent out to relatives, friends and
neighbors, the woods and plantations
secured for the materials of the feast.
The sun of the twenty-second of Octo-
Der sank below cloudless horizon. There
was no chill in the soft southern air. AS
the shadows deepened slaves piled wood
on the kindling fires in the dooryard and
the assembling guests hung lanterns IN
the trees. The good Scotch Presbyterian
pastor was present, unbending his wonted
gravity to smiles and words in harmony
with the occasion. Neighbors trooped
thither from far and near, glad of little
natural mirth after their sad experiences.
The young Wing troop ers, with George
at their head, were ranged together, wear
ing their side arms, and with tassels of
pine nodding in their caps for plumes.
At last, leaning on the arm of Angus
and followed by her mother, little sisters
and relatives, Ella came down the veranda
steps to the open, lighted space, where
Burton and his aunt awaited her, and then,
as BETTING the bride of partisan soldier,
was married on the green sward, beneath
the starlit sky. During the service all
hats we're reyerently removed; at its con-
clusion the bugles rang out loud and mer
rily. These were the wedding bells.
Soon the open space between the fires was
cleared, the initial tuning of fiddlers was
heard, and Burton and Ella led score oil
couples down the green in the graceful
minuet.
With parting glance at the picture
with its fantastic lights, and shadows, its
chance and varied groupings, its costumes
now strange to our eyes, we take leave of
those whom we have followed through
very different scenes. Among the many
faces, some distinct in the broad glare
and others dim in the dusty background,
there is none from which we turn so re-
gretfully as that of Angus McIntire. He
looks very boyish as he stands with part
ed, smiling lips and quietly observant
eyes, but the manner in which his mother
leans upon his arm proves that he has al
ready won the best possession Of manhood
trust.
(rHF FND)