The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-18
OVER THE BORDER.
BY WALTER BESANT.

H.
my wife. my lawful wife, by Scottish law
Now whether such is the Scottish Law
| know not at all. but in Northumberland
it was always believed that. across tn,
Border. such form of words, before wit
nesses. constituted the whole of mar
rage required by law. although. by wa,
OF adding some grace of ceremony. the
pair sometimes jumped over a broom
stick. or wrote their names in a book, OF
gave blacksmith guinea.
MY lawful wife. Mathew repeated
The bride, who had been standing with
bent shoulders and bowed head, STRAIGHT
ened herself and stood upright Then the
witnesses observed a very curious and re
markable thing The face of the bride
groom. which should surely on such an
occasion show lively sense of happiness
expressed first establishment, then uneasi
ness. and finally terror
The cause of these successive emotions
was simple. When Mathew had repeated
his form Of words he would have dropped
his brides hand. but she now held his
first with gentle pressure, next with de
termination and finally with a viselike
tenacity which amazed and filed him with
strange fears
Presently. still holding his hand. she
spoke.
81 acknowledge Mathew Humble as my
true and lawful husband"
The voice was hoarse and rough
Mathew with his left hand tore off the
hood. Before him stood. her mouth open
ing gradually to make room for the hoarse
laugh which followed, no other than Sailor
Nan herself. in he1 short petticoats and
tied about her head.
My husbandl" she repeated; my Low
ing husband Would ye believe it"-she
addressed the company generally-''h s
so fond o me that he couldn't wait tc have
the bans put up, but mast needs carry me
of? Saw We ever such Draw lover?
They were all astonished and when she
laughed still holding the astonisheG
bridegroom by the hand some of them
trembled. because they knew not whether
she was man or woman. her voice was SC
rough, her hair was so short. her Jacket
was SO sailor like
"Ah. hinneysl" she laughed again
hoarsely because the air had touched her
throat The bonny. bonny bride and the
happy groom Kiss your wife. my hus
band dear ="
She threw herself upon his neck. and
began to kiss his lips
"You? Your" He tore away his hand
from her grasp. tried to push her from
him with violence. but she chung fast t,
him. and retreated. step by step. to ,h
corner of the room ''You?"
Eyes. it's me, dearie-it's me Did "
ever hear the like? To fall in love with
an I'D woman of TO- like me. and to run
away with her. | never looked to get
another husband There's a spirit fol
you'll There's bold spirit Mathew
dear, when shall we go back? Oh, the
wedding feast that we will havel Well
we women love lad of mettle Is there
boy in Warkworth, except my man
here, who would carry his wife all the
way across the moors when he might have
had me asked in church,"
Dan, one of those who are naturally
slow to understand things unless they
fall out exactly as is expected. had by this
time succeeded in comprehending the
whole He had. he now perceived. car
ried off the wrong woman. which fully
accounted for the vigor of the kicks. the
amazing strength of the clout and the
capacity for strong drink
Nam" he cried Its our Nam"
1T is, we lubber. she replied, land no
one else ]"
He then began to laugh too He
laughed SO loud and so long being a
man who seldom sees a joke. and then
cannot make enough of it. that the land
lord, the landlady and the servant girl
caught the infection. and they all laughed
too Mathew ragged and swore This
made Dan laugh the louder and the
longer Mathew ceased to swear b..
threw himself into chair with his hands
in his pockets and sat. cheeks red ana
eyes flashing until the storm of mirth
subsidized Then his dainty and delicate
bride banged her great fist upon the table
mo sheeE;ng off now" she cried
you're my man. and a merry and a
happy life you shall lead Mates and
jolly sailors all. this is my third husband
The first, he was hanged. the second, be
hanged himself. better luck to the third
What a wife he's gotl what wife
Now then. rum for this honorable com
pany. and fiddle for the wedding: and
more rum and tobacco. and more rum
Stir about, say She produced bosn's
whistle. and blew long shrill call. Stir
about. or I'll ropes end the whole crew
Rum. | say. more rum for this honorable
company"
- Ri,
NV IN -, I'm fHEY 1N|EN