Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-12-21
CHUB.
AROrnance Of West Virginia,
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

on a scale never attempted IN tnat parG
of the country Tho invitations were so
numerous that the people wondered
where Hank Dawson would put them
all-whcre they would find room 10
dance.
Neither Mr. Dawson nor his daughter
explained to the curious. AS for Dan
Bash, he had nothing whatever to say
concerning the arrangements.
IL leave all that to the Dawsons." no
said when questioned.
But he had planned it all. 1t was the
schoolmaster, not the blacksmith, VINO
calculated the quantity Of lumber II
would be necessary to lay down Tor
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-coulds sum up the
cOst-and it was his estimate that HANK
Dawson copied when he wrote out, with
Clubs a sistance, the order for the
things that we're to be sent by express
from the great city.
When the wedding day arrived the
country side knew all about It, HOW
Hank Dawson had been to the expense
of putting down dancing floor that
hundred people could occupy at once, or
maybe more.
Stories of the quantities of provisions
Hank had brought from the town near
at 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 or
stuff"
And to crown all, there was to be real
"band music " The band music referred
TO was a small but fairly balanced or
ganiZation employed on extraordinary
occasions in the town.
The guests were invited to be presene
at o'clock in the afternoon. The mar
riage ceremony would take place aC o.
when supper would be served dancing
and all manner of diversions would pre-
cede and follow the marriage ceremony.
The guests were promptly on hand
They came from all quarters. Somo
were there who lived seventy miles as
taht They came in wagons, In Ouggles,
on horseback and afoOt. 1t was tne
largest and meriiest gathering ever VIII
messed in the county.
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 o'clock the preacher
came. The preacher was famous wag.
He was as welcome as any story -teller
that ever entertained an appreclatlVe
crowd.
Rut 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.
A quarter past five Dan Bash was con-
sidered a laggard in love by all the men
there.
At half-past five his groOmsman agreed
with the bridesmaid that it would be
serving him just right if Club read him
q lecture when he did get there.
The woman and girls began to specu-
late.
Thev somehow managed to get into
little groups and talked in low tones
Fifteen minutes to six, and no sign or
Dan Bash.
And vet, 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 Ihere
was no bridegroom-no sign OF a bride
groom. =,
Hank Dawson moved around cheerlly
among the hundreds thcre-he was as
bright, seemingly, as ever
At a quarter past six he stood at the
side of the platform the dancers were
lounging on, and said in loud, clear, level
tones that all could hear:
any friends, there seems to be some
mistake somewhere. l don't know what
Il is. Dan Bash ought to be here-he
amt and that's all | know. II he
comes. why, he can marry after supper
lust as well as BEFORE but am not going
tn wait q 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
Hank Nawsons cordial invitation tc
ahelp 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. to all seeming, as seif-pOssessed as
was her wont
The supper was prolonged. The great
crowd ate and drank heartily II the
absence of the bridegroom was unac-
countable, unexpected, something that
overwhelmed everybody with surprise, ii
did not interfere with the guests appe-
tites
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 a strange thing, friends.
promised you a 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
l1indled, and his voice rang out bold and
clear;
81 may as we'll say it as think it Dan
Bash has failed to come to time. Why
he amt here-what keeps him.
haven't any more idee than anyone here
has. But III try to- find out-to-morrow.
Now. then, you're a-goin' to proceed just
the some as if it was all regular and
thew were married. I'm not goin' tc
have fun spoiled or good time cut
short inst because something's happened
or gone wrong l amt noways RESPONSE,
bic for. You'll go right on dancln' tli
70 o'clock-or as long as you've a mino
to-"
A few of the men clapped their hands,
hut the women whispered to each other.
Suddenly Clubs voice was heard
- "Father's right Enjoy yourselves,
but l want to say one thing. 1t ain''