The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-30
WTtaeA lov TAs ArkaAsap Truveisr. A FORGED ENGAGEMENT.
sr SUSIE ASrRoHcS

O0e SCOtNulkiS uk&ut lASt <Aukuct ~ pair of ruralites were married in Michigan village under ludicrous cir cumstances. The groom was Bad Dawson, & bachelor of forty, and was notorious in that section of country as a merciless heart breaker. He was everlastingly getting into scrapes with women, as his tickle fancy was briefly enslaved by every new feminine face. He owned one of the best farms about Pottsville, a locality were there were few marriageable men, and where 6 tidal wave of rustic maidens seemed to have swept. Thus his transient atlec- tions were prized with an honest in- tcnsity in spite of his uncertain na- ture.
 The bride was quiet maiden, but wise withal, as three weeks from tho day of her first meeting with the coveted matrimonial prize they were married. The ceremony took place at eight o'clock in the evening at the house of the brides parents. Previ- ous to the appointed hour the expec- tant assembly of guests was slightly rufiied by the arrival of Minerva Tucker, tall, slim, manish-appearing female dressed in flounoed rcd gown, which hitched up peculiarly in the back over her huge hustle and dis played her generous feet to advantage. Minerva was known as one of Bud Dawson's victims, woman of actively active proclivities and stern determin- ation of character, who on several oc- casions had resented her truant lovers trifling.
 When the bride, with an exultant w- have -got-him" expression on her face, came before the guests leaning lovingly on Buds arm, Minerva stared grimiy at the prospective groom for an instant without speaking. He was gorgeously appareled in wide ex- panse of tucked shirt bosom, scarlet tie and plum-colored suit with low shoes, and hose the same in hue as his necktie. His abnormally short body and very long arms and legs were brought into greater relief by the warm tones of his garments. His dun- colored hair was nicely parted in the middle and fattened down with pomade, and his thin nose had an in- dependent air of growing towards everybody else instead of staying close to his face. When he saw Minerva gazing at him his protruding blue eyes rolled restlessly in their sockets, and he toyed nervously with the pug's head pin at his throat. She made Q violent rush towards him and grasped his thin arm in a vise- like grip. "Oh, you spavined. kpocked- kneed, milk-eyed, audacious de deceiverw she hissed between her cfenched teeth. You'd marry her and leave me, would you? I don't banker after you, but I'll be blest if you shall treat an Unprotected woman in this way"
 The bride trembled, and the cold precipitation stood in beads on Buds forehead. "I-I-will give back your ring, Nervie," he blurted out. T knew I'd have to hustle to keep out of your way, but didn't think 1t would come to this. I'll make it right, old girl. Only let the weddin' go on. Even II 1t takes my last bottom dollar, I'll make it right. Don't be desper- ate, Nervie, and don't feel bad"
 "Don't you worry about me, Bud Dawson," replied Minerva, solemnly. "l feel pretty hearty, and can look out for myself. All want is a written agreement, witnessed by this con- pany, that thirty days after the death 0i this woman you'ii marry Tie. Then I'll promise this ceremony shall go on without further disturbance"
 "(rosh !" calculated Bud.
 The. bride looked dismayed, but the severely severe Minerva produced legal paper and poked it under the suffering would be groom's snub nose "Sign !" she cried imperatively.
 "Oh, Buddie!" weakly exclaimed the little bride. "Buddie. dear, do sign it. I won't die any quicker, and the horrid-"
 "Oh, you'll''die soon enough" inter- rupted Minerva, as she forced Bud in chair and placed pen in his ague- stricken fingers. "He'll get blessed tired of your whining, baby face, and then, how long will you stand it?"
 Without even reading the awful document through, and without re- monstrance, Bud placed his name at the bottom of the long sheet. Visions of retributive female after female, bearing legal formulas, rose before his disturbed gaze, and he was glad to es- cape from the present difficulty and trust to luck for what might come.
 "There, Nervie," he said, finging down the pen. "Its done. Me and Nance can get marrieJ now, and you and are as good as engaged-han't we? guess we better kiss and make mp"
 Minerva threw her arms around his hodv and huU0ed him nnffI he or0aned