St. Landry democrat., 1894-02-24

"Ycs, sir"
"What did YOU run away for?"
"'Cause her folks were not wilin' TO
us to marry"
g ''Iiave you got airy pair of license?
eyes, sir, have the lice:,sc. We ex
pected Preacher Gray to marry US, bu
he wasn't at home, SO we came to you
Here, sir, is the license
'kccp EN-, young man, keep EN-.
don't want EN-! | only aNeI to see i
you had em: for it's agin the law
Of the United S atcs to marry in thi
State without a pair of license. Tn.
law only axes if you paid for 'em, anc
how much.'
As he said this, Squire Bentley opened
his book very wide and assumed stern
judicial air.
'lcs, sir, the license is paid for, and
cost one dolar.'
"Whcrc did you get 'em?"
cat the courthouse, of course. II
you please, sir, will you procced:'
"lou bet | will. Hold up your right
hands ~
The young couple exchanged gIanccs.
II the truth must be told, the require
mcns of etiquette during the perform
anco Of the ceremony had formed an i'm
po't9nt factor in their conversation
since leaving the paternal roof. After a
little hesitation both hands went up.
"lou solcmnly swear that you will live
together as man and wife, sick or well,
and that YOU will tell the truth, the
whole truth and nOthn' but the truth,
so help you God, Answer, Il do.'"
Il DO, was the faint response
81 pronounce you husband and wife, and
may the Lord have mercy on your souls ="
The aStonishcd couple still sat with
upl5fted hands, gazing at the Magistrate
with open -mouhcd WONDER
''Ihat'll dom said he in a less severe
, tone.
is it ovcr?" asked the bride, with a
sigh Of relief as she lowered her hand.
Il reckon sou was the rather doubtful
response Of the groom.
"Yes, certainly, You're hitchcd as
hard and as fast as if the Guy'nor had
done it."
"Hvw much do owe your
"NOt cent. young man, not a cent?
and then he added, in a semi contdcn-
tial tone, "lou see, I'm sorter new
beginner, and | hain't sot my prices yet.
Where are ye goin to stay till mornin' -
1--WE expected to 90 from Mr. Gray's
back to Uncle Bill Wrighl's, on Cane
Creek; but that's ten or twelve miles
from here. Isn't there tavern in town.
"4cs-but why not stay here: 1t
won't cost YOU a cent, and l 'drother
you'd stay.'
With little more urging, they con-
scntcd; and while the groom and the
esquire were out stabing the horses, Mrs
BcntIy had arisen and prepared a room
for the bride and groom. After q slight
rcpast which the young people really
needed Othough both stoutIy protested
against the extra trouble), they were left
III possession of the spare room, which |
had twice served as law office that |
plight.
IN hour had passed, and most of the
inmates had fallen asleep, when there
was another loud ''hello!' at the gate.
"Who is it now" asked the master of |
the house, as he opened the door,
F'1t's me-hcre's your prisoner" sang |
out voice in reply, that evidently be-
longel to Special Constable Graham.
"Who else is with your
"Jim Hall, and brother Tom"
"All right--come inI'
While our hard worked Magistrate was
again dressing himself, his wife sudden
ly inquired,
''Wherc will you take 'em, George?"
Tlrs was poser. The spare room was
already occupied, and, worse than all,
bis lawbook was in there too!
Meeting the Constable in the yard he
britly explained the situation.
eve can build up fire out here" he
at last, and tee others assent
ing, the fire was accordingly kindlcd,
and then Squire Bcntly realized that he
could proceed no further without his law
book. Going to the door of the guest
he softly knocked.
"What is it: inquired the groom.
Il want to get my book"
So the young man unfastentd the
loor, and held it open till the officer
went inside and "fclt around" till he laid
1unds on the coveted volume. Returning
o the yard, ne opened court by admins
ering an oath to all present lincIuding t
he constable and the prisoneD to tell ;
ust how it was. t
The day had been a warm one. As s
he night wore on, the clouds began to
hrCatcn rain, and before the testimony
vas all in, heavy shower came up. a
This necCssltated an al jOUrnment to t
hcter--and as the smOkehOuse was the q
carest building, thithcr all hands re i
'aired. While waiting for the shower '
- hcr Ill 7
ne up. +
is Squire Bently at homc?' {
"Ies; that's mel" was the reply.
'They want you at Sims Mill. There's 5
dead woman there, and they want you t
0 hold an inquest" s
Further questioning elected the fact f
hat negro woman had died very sud t,
emily, and the physician who had been O
allied, deeming the circumstances sus- .
icious, sired an inquest. 1t was now a
asst midnight, but our officer, feeling
hat he ought to act promptly in the II
natter, decided to 60 at once. But, un- b
ortunately, the two Grahams and jim c.
lall all felt called upon to go, too. II
What to do with the prisoner was the h
uestion: Somebody proposed taking him o.
ong with them, but the prisoner him o.
IF stoutly opposed that plan, but of ii
red to pledge himself to be on hand T
henever wanted. Il
Our Magistrate, acting on the principle IL
lat lone bird in the land is worth two g,
the bush, resolved to make sure of i
Ike Jones. So, after bringing a few q,
indies of fodder from stack near in
r, and two Or three quilt from the bo
use, ne prepareu ped r his pr'& dG
cr, and locked him up in 81: smoke fa
use till his return, and tn :. men pa
lie away IS