St. Landry democrat., 1892-09-03
AN ACCIDENTAL MARRIAGE.

"Be sure you ride with Potts!" shout
ed Carrie, after the boat was fairly under
way, whereat little smile rippled across
the neighboring passengers faces.
1t was an odd speech, but May and l
understood it, for we had talked over
matters and things pretty thoroughly be-
forehand regarding our journey, and this
last admonition of Carries was simply
to give accent to an oft-repeated charge.
We were going to a lovely nook, dis
covered by Carrie the year before, in the
heart of the Catskills
Suffice it to say that we had to ride
many and many Il long mile to reach the
aforesaid center, and that the line of
stages that led to our little nook was
owned and run by two stalwart, steadfast
men, named Potts and Kramer.
Potts was lively follow, as round and
as rosy, and as shiny as a fresh red
checked apple. Kramer was taller, dar-
ker, more taciturn. Potts entertained
his passengers with a series of jokes,
squibs, anecdotes, legends, mysteries and
tales. Kramer attended strictly and
solely to the business of driving his four
horses. So it was no wonder Carrie
screamed out to us: BE sure you ride
with Potts."
But "woman proposes and man dis
poses," as we found out that balmy sum
mer morning, when, on the Catsklll
Landing, we asked, for the Potts and
Kramer line.
"Here, ladies' said tall man, who
we know must be Kramer, motioning us
to half-filled stage.
Instead of getting in we looked around
expectant.
All, yes. there he was, the jolly, round
faced Jehu, whip in hand, his lips curled
up in pleasant bow, his eyes twinkling
already.
eve don't want to ride with you,' -
said May, with charming candor, 1--WE
want to ride with Mr.. Potts, because he
talks toe most"
''Ha! ha! hal" shouted Mr.. Potts.
"Well, ladies, | appreciate the compli-
ment, l really do, but it's impossible fol-
me to add another fare. You'll have to
ride with Mr.. Kramer. He's a jolly
fellow Get him started and he'll talk
! the top off of a meeting house."
Mr. Potts argument was irresistible.
We meekly got into the half-flled stage
and wound our way up over the long
hills, with Mr.. Kramer sitting bolt'up
right in front Of us, looking neither tc
the right nor to the left and oblivious o.
all remarks that might be made behinC
him. In vain would May lean forward
and say in her most winning manner:
II do wonder what that pretty little
place is called over there?" or (Which
of these peaks do you think is the high
est, Sue?"
/ Not sound came from his lips till
casting aside all subterfuge, she would
say:
''Mr. Kramer, won't you tell us?"
| And then, in briefest monosyllables
would come the answer.
At last Mr.. Kramer suddenly stoppe,
before little wayside inn, and LANDED
all our dusty and tired fellow-traveller
at tkair destination. Then we went o.
our way again-sole occupants of the ca
pacious vehicle. May yawned again an
again. At last she gave heart breakin
sigh, and exclaimed:
"What dreadfully dreary ride this
to be surew
Mr. Kramer turned his head ever S
slightly, and looked back at her. Fo
once his lips parted of their own accord
He was going to say something withou
being asked.
''Do you see that house over there?
asked he, pointing to pretty cottae
half hidden by clambering vines and SUI
rounded by mass of brilliant flower
sthat is where live."
"Ah," said May, adjusting her BIT
glasses more firmly upon her nose, "wh;
dear, cozy little place-the prettie
one we've seen for miles"
As this was Mr.. Kramer's first and onl
voluntary remark, May seemed dispose
to encourage him by sufficient praise
g Are you married 2" she continued
fearful that the generous impetus I
speech would dry up forever.
eyes, Mr.. Kramer replied, lookin
back at us with curious twinkle in h
eye; II was married sort Of acc
dentally"
Dear mel" cried May, with vivacit,
81 am certain from your manner TIL
there was something very odd about yo1
! marriage. Would you mind telling !,