The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-07
KISSED THE BRIDE.

Zeke and are twins We were, In fact,
ut the time Of my story. Always have
boon as far back as can remember, and
that is good long while 1 know that
bis the reason they called us Zelzo and
fZed-Zekiel and Zedekiah. but some-
how we could never quite forgive them
flor giving us those names. We are
laliko, and always have been. When we
|wero boys. mother had great fancy for
familiarity in our dress. A patch on one
Illnee meant similar patch OH tho other
boys knee. The storekocper never tried
to sell her samples of goods unless the
remnant contained enough for two pairs
fof pants or two coats Hence mono but
Jour parents knew us apart Zeke had o
largo wart upon his left hand, while I
had none Ho had often tried to remove
ut, for people were ever on tho lookout
flor that wart But it was not to be got
Irid of so easily.
We were very fond Of each other I
am sure up to tho time of our manhood
one never did nor could do anything
without the other ono at his heels But
twhen wo were 81 Zeke did something
(which left me entirely in tho cold. I
have never quito forgiven him yet He
fell in love. And, whereas before was
never too near, was now altogether
too near and ono too many. 1t was very
bitter to me-to be put in q secondary
lplaco, and SO told him.
go and do likewise" was all he
said.
1t made mo feel rather mean, and I
felt inclined to give him something to
turn the channel of his thoughts, but
somehow / loved him too much to
bother him, and SO wo logged along for
% year.
We used i'll those days to have sing
ling and spelling schools and it was Mt
those places that we young people pair
Jed off for the walk homo. Ono night
stopped and talked with como Of the
boys after Zcko and Nellie had gone
home, so had a good chance to observe
them just ahead of mo as neared thom
'on my way home. The moon was bright
and the SHOW white, and-well Zekc
Istooped over to look inside that hood
$50 many times or to do something else
that I made up my mind the wedding
must BIO very near at hand thought
lZoke ought to take me into his conf
idenoe In this matter as we'll as In all
Others 1 think so still. would never
have been half mad ut him If ne had
But he and father would stand out and
view that south 40 acre lot and pace off
the plot for the house and one for the
barn, and if I nearod them they would
begin to talk about fertilixing it for next
years corn crop. Had I been little
lad Of 10 would never have cared
Ebut Zeke's twin and treated like q
'strangerl could not guess tho cause of
IZel1es actions
But i'm later years, when found lit
tie lass just to my eve, and when other
fellows looked OH hor, felt rather self
Ash, and-well, "stingy" too. I know
now, because looked like Zeke and
talked like Zeko and behaved like Zelse
He, Ezekiel Dune, was afraid Nellie
Nambart would swap twins But then
1 was only angry. AS I said, I knew
tho wedding could not be many moons
away. In those days "belling'' was the
fashion. Woo unto each newly married
couple if they did not appear at the door
during tho serenade and stand treat for
the crowd. 1 mentioned i'll half anger
to my best friend next to Zeko ono night
lat the singing school that 1 supposed
sLeke would soon quit such places of
amusement and settle down by his own
fireside OF course they wanted to find
out when the affair would take place. 1
confessed ignorance.
The following plan was matured.
But l will relate the results instead of
the plan, only L will say first if Zeke
had used me like a twin brother ought 1
would have been better too I feel half
ASHAMED Of myself now as l sit gray
headed and grandfather To be sure
7 laugh over the joke yet, but 1t was
rather hard OH Nelly and your humble
servant too.
was to find the secret plans from
Nell herself. And did. We were at
singing school, Zeke and I, and, accord
ling to our custom, dressed just alike. /
had seen zeke get through the ceremo-
my 80 often knew just how So while
one of the other boys kept Zeke at the
schoolhouse took Nelly under my wing
and escorted her home Zeke was q lit
tile anxious to be gone, they said. but
Bob said tho girls We're waiting In the
entry ESQ they were, most of theml and
Ihe was anxious to lay the plans for
grand sing and exhibition in tho near
future, SO kept zeke all right
!. But to return to Nell and myself 1t
was wicked, to be sure, but I took her
pittb hand in mine and pressed 1t as I
knew Zeko did and walked on silently.
There's Dave and Jen behind us, Z"
4 whispered at length, $50 We'll talk
pow.'
yes" she replied. hardly knew