The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-30
CHAPTER VI-Coptinued.

But he had planned 1t all. IL was Vne
schoolmaster, not the blacksmith, who
calculated the quantity Of lumber 1t
would be necessary TO lay down for o
dancing floor on the ground before Hank
Dawson's door.
1t was Dan Bash who suggested the
purchase OF canned fruits and meats.
He knew everything-could sum up the
,cost-and it was his estimate that Hank
Dawson copied when he wrote out, with
Clubs assistance, the order for the
things that were to be sent by express
from the great city.
When the wedding day arrived the
country side knew all about 1t. How
Hank Dawson had been to the expense
of putting down q dancing floor that o
hundred people could occupy at once, or
maybe more.
Stories Of the quantities OF provisions
Hank had brought from the town near
ut hand and the distant city were circu-
lated the day before the wedding
~Wasn't the names on the boxes
didn't everybody see the dead loads OF
stuff"
And to crown all, there was to be real
~band music" The band music referred
10 was small but fairly balanced or
ganiZation employed on extraordinary
occasions in the town.
The guests were invited to be present
at / o'clock in the afternoon. The mar
risge ceremony would take place at 6,
when supper would be served. Dancing
and all manner of diversions would pre-
cede and follow the marriage ceremony.
The guests we're promptly on hand.
They came from all quarters. Some
were there who lived seventy miles dis
tant They came In wagons, in buggies,
on horseback and afoot- 1t was the
largest and merriest gathering ever wit
messed in the comfy.
Hank Dawson was in his glory
laughed and talked with everybody.
His hearty laugh rang over the farm as
he moved among his guests.
Along about 4 o'clock the preacher
came. The preacher was famous wag.
He was as welcome as any story-teller
that ever entertained an appreclatiVe
crowd.
But one man was absent That was
Dan Bash. and he was due at o'clock,
when he would join the merrymakers.
Five o'clock came, but the bridegroom
did not appear.
n pdSI i've DdD Ddou w dS SOu-
sidered q laggard in love by ali the men
there. :
At half-past FIVE his groomsman agreed
with the bridesmaid that it would be
serving MIN just right if Club read him
lecture when he did get there.
The woman and girls began to specn-
late.
J They somehow managed to get into
little groups and talked in low tones.
Fifteen minutes to six, and no sign OF
Dan Bash. ....
And yet, as everybody knew, he was
only four miles away. A lover with any
fire in him could walk the distance in
three quarters Of an hour.
At six the sports Jagged - nobody
seemed to be interested in them. There
was no bridegroom-no sign Of BRIDE
groom.
i Hank Dawson moved around cheerily
among the hundreds there-he was as
bright, seemingly, as ever.
At quarter past six he stood at the
side of the platform the dancers we're
lounging on, and said in loud, clear, level
tones that all could hear: =
T. @My friends, there seems to be some
mistake somewhere. I don't kDowtwhat
It Is. Dan Bash ought to be here-he
ain't and that's all I know. If he
comes, why, he can marry after supper
Just as well as before, but ] am not going
to wait minute longer. Supper will be
served Immediately. We will sit down."
There were whispers and wonderings,
many winks and wise glances, but the
guests promptly availed themselves Of
-, To rnrAia1 invitation
~help themselves freely and make the
most Of everything"
To the surprise Of the women folks,
Club Dawson fitted about, directing the
assistants how to serve the guests She
was her won't.
The supper was prolonged. The great
crowd ate and drank heartily. If the
absence Of the bridegroom was unac-
countable, unexpected, something that
overwhelmed everybody with surprise, it
did not interfere with the guests appe-
EteS
At the conclusion of the supper, Hank
Dawson rose and asked his guests to
give him their attention. Then he said,
slowly and deliberately:
"This is O strange thing, friends. I
promised you wedding. I've done my
part. The people here have done theirs.
The only one to blame is Dan Bash"
"Father, father" said Club softly, at
his elbow But Hank Dawson's eyes
kindled, and his voice rang out bold and
clear:
.Imay as well say it as think it Dan
Bash has failed to come to time. Why
b. amt here-what keeps him.
haven't any moro idee than anyone here
has. But III try to find dout-to-morrow.
Now, then, you're a-goin' to proceed just
the same as II 1t was all regular and
they were married. I'm not goin' to
have fun spoiled or good time cut
short Just because something's happened
or gone wrong l amt noways RESPONSE
ble for. You'll go right on dancin' till
12 o'clock-or as long as you've y mind
to.
A few of the men clapped their hands,
but the women whispered TO each other.
Suddenly Chub's voice was heard
"Father's right Enjoy yourselves,
but | want to say one thing. 1t amt
Dan Bash's fault II he isn't here, it's
because something's happened to pre-
vent it. l won't say any more now-but
II he is not here tomorrow, ! will tell
you what l think is the matter. Now,
do as father says"
There was something in Chub's SIM
Die speech and manner that impressed
all there What did she mean?
But in the meantime they would dance,
for the music had struck up; a lively air
caused the blood to circulate swlfter in
tho yonnp neOnle'S veins and soon they