Wichita eagle., 1889-05-19

reaching the floor. This was the prize OF
| Mandy Lowell's heart; it was wider and
longer than any sash ever beheld in that
| neighborhood and the color was brighter.
| She insisted on wearin her wedding hat;
'selse what tarnal GOODYEAR thar in a-buyin'
of ita" she argued. 1t had been brought all
the way from Atlanta, and been added to
| after it came until it was a wonderful work
| of art. The high crown was surmounted
BY an immense white bow; around it was
beautiful red ribbon, while the streamers
were OF the brightest blue. On one side
was green bow, and on the other scarlet
one, each Of which was fastened by an i'm
! mense silver-plated pin. The idea Of not
wearing this hat at her wedding was not to
| be entertained for moment.
While the women were discussing the de-
tails of the dress and preparing for the
wedding supper, the men were standing by
the fence, each with one foot resting easily
on the lower rail while they whitfield at the
posts and talked of the times when they
were young and courted the maldens who
were now their wives.
The bridegroom had gone twenty miles
over the mountains to the county seat after
the necessary license. The squire who was
TO perform the ceremony walked medita-
lively back and forth in front Of the house,
looking quite uncomfortable in the dancing
boots which he had put on for the first time
since his last marriage service ten years be-
fore.
The day was fast drawing to a close
when the bridegroom rode up with the
license. He was clothed IN a doeskin suit,
to which be had evidently not yet become
accustomed 1t was the only suit of the
kind that the village store had and the
creases showed that it had long remained in
stock before it was sold. The coat was too
large and the pantaioons too short, but, as
the merchant said, THAT made no differ
ence: it wouldn't be worn more than once
or twice a year." and to Tom Tilford's eyes
they were the finest clothes he had ever
dreamed of owning. He dismounte4aDd re-
ceived the congratulations of the guests in
advance of the ceremony. He entered the
cabin and the bride blushingly retreated
into the impromptu dressing room, which
had been made by hanging a sheet across
one corner.
Il knowed you'd git ketched," 1T stands
to reason that no man couldn't go with
Mandy 'thout gittin' stuck" " l think you'll
make as peart a couple as was ever
hitched," and other rough but well-meant
expressions greeted him as he entered.
The brides mother acted as hostess, and
in the midst Of her cooking would run, with
flour still on her hands, to bid her guests a
hearty welcome as they entered. The cabin
consisted of only one room and loft, while
a shed attached to the room served as a
kitchen. The floor was of puncheons, and
lime had been placed in the cracks and
packed tight with maui for the dancers.
An old man stood in one corner with
violin. He was to furnish the music, as he
had done at every wedding in that region
for many years. The women, on entering,
arranged themselves around the room; the
men, when the first greetings were over,
would repair to the front fence.
When supper was ready all gathered
about the table, but ate sparingly, for the
hostess gave the caution: Don't yer go to
eatin' too much, for the big supper is
a-comin'; not as keer fer the things, but
don't want yer to Spite the big supper"
After the meal the dishes were cleared
away and the wedding was announced.
The squire placed a Bible and copy of |
the Revised Statutes on the table, and
said: This ERE court will come to order /
Tom Tilford, stan up. Mandy Lowell, |
y
from the dressing room retreat re-
splendent with her hat, the objections .
to which she had overborne. She /
walked up to the side OF her lover |
and seized his left hand in her right. "See /
hyar, that won d." said the squire. 'You
must Jine right hands fer marriages; left /
hands is good only fer divorces, and We don't /
want to be divorced yit," and he chucked |
at his wit Now, both on you jine right T
hands; that's right" he added, as they .
with his directions 'Now let 4
loose and hold up yer right hands and kiss
the Bible" This was done.
''TOm Tillford, do you solemnly swar to
take this var woman, Mandy Lowell, as
yer lawful welded wife, 10 have and to hold,
10 love and to cherish, until death do you
part, and with worldly goods dover her &C
,ording to statoots made and pervided? Say
i do"
81 dc" Tom responded.
"Now, MANDY Lowell, do you solemnly
swar to take this man fer yer lawful we'd
led husband till death do you part and to
owe him and take keer of him and obey him
to Scripter ard statoots! Say
/ do"
She blushingly faltered her assent.
Then, by the power vested IN me as JUS
ice of the peace declare you Mr. and Mrs
lowell mean Mr.. aud Mrs Tillford-and
what God and /, as justice of the peace,
elected by the honest voters of the county,
has put together let NO man put asunder eff
he doesn't want TO git licked by the hull set
.lement l will now kiss the bride accord
n TO good old custom"