The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-10-18
CHAPTER XXI.
rr.y-Nrr,

When the trial that consumed InTee
days was concluded, and Dan Ross, one
of the most prominent if not the chief
figure in the courtroom, where his tes-
timony was listened to breathlessly, re-
turned to Hank Dawson's to "be on hand
for the wedding this time" as Tom Big
gers and the school directors laughingly
said, Pine County had but one subject
to talk about.
The events of the past week were
published throughout the length and
breadth of the land.
The newspapers were filled with the
savings and doings Of the Monks. Their
nefarious practices, long suspected but
never fully understood by the people OF
the counties where they operated, were
fully exposed-their method OF max
ing and circulating the counterfeit money
laid bare to the public gaze.
Very naturally, the Government de-
tective, Dan Bash, figured in all the ac-
counts. His shrewdness and decision,
his tact and courage, were the theme OF
the hour.
The peculiar characteristics OF Hank
Dawson were described at length, until
Hank asked Eli Potts in confidence iii
now to run for PreSident?" e."
Eli Potts said he thought they some
times got worse material on Presidential
tickets.
But the public gaze turned with ten
fold more curiosity upon the young
man whose extraordinary experiences
and adventures made him the romantic
figure in the trial. Dan Ross-his ath-
letic exhibitions at the plowing match,
his endurance when lying alone on the
mountain side, his courage when IN the
hands of the ruffians who had decreed
his death-thesc were the things that
the public talked Of increasingly.
And beside this figure OF a brave. &C
complished, highly educated young man
demonstrating his strength and energy,
the public placed another-Chub, the
rich blacksmith's daughter.
r. The men could not find words strong
enough to voice their admiration OF Belle
Dawson: the women were enthusiastic
when they spoke OF rhe bearing Of Dan
Ross, "Ine Missing Bridegroom" who
lived to turn the tables upon his cow
ardly captors and to enjoy the surprise
he gave his most intimate friends when
thew discovered in Dan Bash, the miss
ing bridegroom and schoolmaster, who
became the object of the wrath OF o
gang Of counterfeiters. their old school
fellow, Dan Ross. who was the most
accomplished athlete among five hundred
students.
The citizens Of Pine County deemed 1t
incumbent upon them to demonstrate
their gratitude to Club Dawson and to
the schoolmaster, who had been largely
instrumental in bringing a gang OF ruf-
| fans to justice.
This was the drift of public sentiment
when the blacksmith of the Corners Is
sued anew the invitations to his daugh-
ter's wedding, and prepared to celebrate
| the event in q manner unparalleled IN
that part OF the State.
"Most people only get married once, "
said Hank Dawson. aim able to afford
it. and lust because Dan Ross was caught
under tree, and then fell into that
gangs hands, and the marriage couldn't
tsGe place, that's just the reason I'm
| going to make it more enjoyable, and
try to give everybody chance to have
bigger time.
The enormous quantity Of things that
came to the Corners II. boxes, barrels
aud SACKS seemed to the wondering eyes
" the people VINO Irequented the Cor
aers sufficient to stock large grocery.
The notes OF preparation for the mar
.iage echoed over three counties.
But now, when the truth was known
10 Dan Ross relatives and friends, the
occasion was to be graced by the pres
.nce of his mother and sisters and two
younger brothers, who, with several Of
Dams college mates, repaired to Pine
County in due season.
When the afternoon arrived that was
70 see Belle Dawson married 10 Dan
Ross, the Corners wore an appearance
similar to that presented by lively vii
lage on a gala day. The crowd that
gathered there, and at the house, and on
he grounds around Hank Dawson's
farm house, was one OF the iollicst
gatherings that could he conceived.
State, county and township officials
and their better halves were present.
The wealth., Intelligence and Drawn ol
Pine County was there-and the beauty.
There were none there, however, thai
did not accord the palm to Belle, other
wise known to all her friends as Chut
Dawson The light-footcd, quick
handed, roguish mountain beauty in hel
wedding dress was royal in her ease ant
beauty.
"Dan," said his sisters to the bride
groom, "you're fortunate. Belle will
make decided sensation ut Newport
We never would have dreamed such