The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-09-01

one OutSlue Oh my own family mlStruSts
one word" She looked up in my face.
''No, nor in mine" l smiled back.
"But they will before long" ventureG
as unattached her gate hoping against
hNrS she would give me what / was
arm, and she sweesly put up her lips
an, said, "Just one more day, my lie.
KEEL. " How could ] kiss that syee;
mouth? | would have given my gray
colt just then to have been Zeke and he
me. had not bargained for kiss; but
then, was she not as good as sister,
So kissed her and held her in my arms
moment and whispered Good night
as she went in.
My cheeks burned, my fingers tin,
gled, my heart fluttered, 80 l broke into
rapid run and fed homeward.
Meantime Bob left 2eke, and the 9th
er boys came back round them and ask,
ed questions and laid plans. A ringina
laugh now and then from the entry al.
layed zeke's fears concerning Nell for
awhile. AS the plan was laid one Of the
girls said as he came out;
''zeke, Nell couldn't wait so long.
But she doesn't want you to feel bad
about it.. +"
why, no. Zeke replied pleasantly
81 couldn't get away sooner" But his
face showed his disappointment.
We had found out the secret at least.
And now our luck hung upon the chance
of Zeke and Ncll not speaking of that
nights work, Slim thread it was, but
anyway we could serenade them Just
the same.
We were busy. Masks to make, drums
to find and horns and bells and old tin
pans and-well, you young boys know
how it is told by your fathers, and you
old boys have all been there.
/ knew Zeke had rented rooms in an
l. of Farmer Judson's house, and by
peering into the windows we saw every
thing was in readiness, even to fuel in
the woodbox.
They were married few minutes be-
fore (since learned it), had breakfast
at 8 and repaired to their new home to
look it over. Father and mother said
they were going to town and did, but
stopped there on their way hither.
None of my brothers and sisters mis-
trusted one word, and some of Nelly's
cousins were as ignorant as we. She
was the only child, so had no one to
keep it from at home.
Zelze since has told me the boys had
made their brags about no one ever es-
Gaping "belling' where they were,
and for this reason and this alone had
he kept it secret.
AS soon as night had spread her wings
over the earth we gathered our trappings
together for our grand serenade. We
were not quite sure whether the bride
and groom would Immediately settle
down i'll tsleir new homo or tarry day
or 80 at the old home. We knew we'll
that the minister from Glendale had re-
turned home, for myself had met him
with his wife in closed carriage that
afternoon. But as twilight approached
cheerful light from Zeke's new home
told very plainly to us where they were,
places in line. Not drum was heard,
not a bugle note, not the clap of
broken bell, though l have often won
dered how we all kept from shouting
aloud as we peared into each others
faces.
Tramp, tramp, along the slippery
roadl Forward in an irregular triangle
we stood before the lighted rooms and
commenced our bombardment. Louder
and louder grew our frenzied music, as
no one opened the door. Finally the door
was opened, and we were invited in
just behind me was Bob, enormously
padded and painted, and in a disguised
voice he said, pushing me little ahead
Qwas their captain), Salute the bridel"
In little aloove stood two forms with
something white thrown over them.
supposed Nelly had done this to hide
her blushing face. So thinking of that
other kiss out in the. moonlight strobe
up to them, picked out Nell by the
skirts visible beneath the .nover, pulled
off the same with quiek motion and
planted a kiss upon the rosy mouth of
the blushing bride-or so supposed
Shout upon shout came from those be-
hind me while / rubbed my eyes to see
if was indeed awake.
For there before me stood not Nellie
and zeke, but Mr.. Whitney and his
white haired little wife. Wild with the
determination to redeem myself and
punish those who had caused me to
make this mistake, ransacked the
house for the ones l most wished to
find Others helped me, but it was final
ly told us by Nelly's father that the
bride and groom had gone with the min
lister to Glendale, there to take con-
veyance to Poker's Corner to visit with
relatives for several weeks. During the
excitement I had forgotten to disguise
my voice 1t was too Late when l recov-
cred myself. was 'sold" completely.
"Snlute the bride" was hurled at me
for years, and always up my back would
creep the chills as they had that night
when l found had Rugged and kissed
old Mrs. Whitney. Nellie told me when
she came home if I had not treated her
so shabbily that night in the moonshine
her heart would have repented her be-
fore she had laid all the plans. The
tour was planned but an hour before
the wedding, when they happened to
stumble upon the truth.
And now I don't know why have
told this. / never want to inflict the
public with matter which has no NOR
al or lesson. This has none unless it be
'do unto others, ETC. I think I was