The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-12-06

ly, showing his strong teeth and two
dimples, He nodded his head many
times to tell me of his willingness, and
finished by kissing his sweetheart on
the cheek. Before l left the cabin we
had arranged plan by which the two
were to come down to our church
in the valley on the next Sunday.
Neither had ever been off the noun
tain, but Bulge could find his way
anywhere, Dochy said, with an air of
pride.
l scarcely believed that Dochy and
Bulge would venture down their
mountain even to be married, but the
next Sunday | found them at the
church. Dochy, recognizing the i'm
pOrtance of the occasion, wore a Saline
dress, on which twined yellow snakes,
their heads at the hem and the tails
reaching her waist. On her head was
q mans straw hat, such as are to be
had at country stores for Il nickel. 1t
was frightened at the crown with a
shoestring, and its briin. measuring
several feet in circumference, hid the
upper part of her face. She seemed a
little conscious, but Bulge was SUI
premely happy and unembarrassed.
The young minister had on his sur
plice, and was just going to begin the
services when | told him that there
was couple that wished to be mar
ried. His fair, beardless face flushed
at the delay, but he accompanied me
to the churchyard where Bulge and
Dochy stood with q young lady from
Manchester, They spoke to him civ
lily, but seemed to find him curious to
look at. When l told them he was to
marry them they talked together rap
idly for minute, then Dochy turned
to me.
Bulge says" she said, "as how we
won't want to be jined by no CONAN.
1t won't pear exactly squar."
The young minister blushed pain
fully. Bulge nudged Dochy and said
something else,
Bulge says" she continued, "'spe-
cially when she wears brooches under
meath her coat, an them showin'w
When assured of his sex they agreed
to be married by him, and Mr.. Lowell
told them they might come up to the
railing when he had finished his SER
mon. Every time there was a pause
in the services the two arose and
started toward the minister, who had
to hurry on at break-neclz speed.
The church was crowded that Sun
day. The day was hot; some humble
bees had made q nest il the gallery
and droned in mesmeric monotone.
The light through the colored win
dOws was subdued and the congrega-
ton dozed. Through the church there
family echoed an unmistakable sibi-
liant sound. We started to wal5eful-
ness and saw that the groom, lifting
the broad brim of her hat, had kissed
tho bride. These demonstrations con-
tinued at intervals throughout the
sermon, until, overcome by the fatigue
of their walk, they fell asleep, her
head on his shoulder, and his resting
on the crown of her nat.
When his sermon was over Mr.. Low
ell dismissed the congregation. The
young minister looked at us appeal
ingly and then came down into the
church. He awo<e the bride and
groom and led them to the railing.
Dochy did not take off her hat, hold
ing it with gentle persistence when
Mr.. Lowell tried to remove it. And so
the ceremony began. The groom could
not, and the bride would not, make
the responses, but they smiled so hap
PLY at each other that formality was
unnecessary. They had brought no
ring, and when asked for it they
turned to us for help. By this time
every soul was interested in them. the
mans beautiful face and irresponsible
attitude appealing to us all We
looked anxiOusly at each other; a ring
must be found. Bulge and Dochy
stood facing the congregation, smil-
ing contenteily, while we questioned
what should be done in the emergen-
cy. At length the young lady from
Manchester solved the difficulty by
unlinking the little silver ring from
her parasol.
Then the ceremony proceeded hap
PLY until the time came for the two
TO llneel Bulge could not kneel be-
cause of his wooden member, SO he
had to receive the blessing standing
And when Mr.. Lowell pressed Dochy
on the shoulder she would not bend,
but when he increased the pressure
she sank fiat on the floor, her little
rough shoes, with their toes turned in
toward each other, straight out in
front of her. And in this attitude the
bcnediction was given.
While the congregation was saying
the prayer | saw that Bulge was spell
ing to Dochy on his fingers. As soon
as the amen was pronounced she, still
sitting on the floor, hid her face in her
hands and said aloud:
"Oh, Lord, bcin' as he carn't talk to
you hisself, Bulge have asked me to
say as he is mighty thankful to you
for gettin' us jined. An he says as how
he'll do anything for you 'ccpin' what
takes tall1in', nor ken he do no steady
Jest waikiki (Budge amt strong on his
leg, bein' as he amt but one), an, o,
Lord, don't you thing Bulge is bad
cause he curn't say his prayers; he
would, onliest 0, Lord, he carn't talk.
And Bulge is the best man in the
world; an'-amen, o, Lord"
She pulled herself to her feet with
the aid of her husbands wooden
leg, and they walked down the aisle.