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

At the time Of my story. Always have
been as far back as can remember, and
that is good long while. know that
is the reason they called us Zeke and
Zed-Zekiel and Zedekiah, but some
how we could never quite forgive them
for giving us those names. We are
alike, and always have been. When we
were boys, mother had great fancy for
similarity in our dress. A patch on one
knee meant q similar patch on the other
boys knee. The storekeeper never tried
to sell her samples Of goods unless the
remnant contained enough for two pairs
of pants or two coats. Hence none but
our parents knew us apart. Zeke had
large wart upon his left hand, while /
had none. He had often tried to remove
it, for people were ever ON the lookout
for that wart. But it was not to be got
rid of SO easily.
We were very fond of each other. /
am sure up to the time of our manhood
one never did nor could do anything
without the other one at his heels But
when we were 81 Zeke did something
which left me entirely in the cold. l
have never quite forgiven him yet. He
fell in love. And, whereas before was
never too near, was now altogether
too near and one too many. 1t was very
bitter to me-to be put in secondary
place, and SO told him.
GO and do likewise" was all he
said.
1t made me feel rather mean, and /
felt inclined to give him something to
somehow / loved him too much to
bother him, and so we logged along for
year.
We used in those days to have sing
ing and spelling schools, and it was at
those places that we young people pair
cd off for the walk home. One night l
stopped and talked with some of the
boys after zeke and Nellie had gone
home SO had good chance to observe
them just ahead of me as neared them
on my way home. The moon was bright
and the snow white, and-well, Zeke
stopped over to look inside that hood
so many times or to do something else
that / made up my mind the wedding
must be very near at hand. I thought
Zeke ought to take me into his conf
dence In this matter as we'll as in all
others. I think SO still. / would never
| have been half mad at him if he 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 neared them they would
begin to talk about fertilizing it for next
years corn crop. Had l been little
lad of 10 / would never have cared
but Zeke's twin and treated like
strangerl could not guess the cause of
Zeke's actions.
But in later years. when found lit
tie lass just to my eye, and when other
fellows looked ON her, felt rather self
ish, and-well, "stingy" too know
now, because looked like Zeke and
talked like Zeke and behaved like Zel1e
He, Ezekiel Dune, was afraid Nellie
Lambart would swap twins. But then
was only angry. AS said, knew
the wedding could not be many moons
away. In those days ''belling" was the
fashion. Woe unto each newly married
couple if they did not appear at the door
during the serenade and stand treat for
the crowd. ! mentioned in half anger
to my best friend next to Zeke one night
at the singing school that supposed
Zeke would soon quit such places of
amusement and settle down by his own
flreside. OF course they wanted to find
out when the affair would take place. l
confessed ignorance.
The following plan was matured.
But will relate the results instead of
the plan, only will say first if Zeke
had used me like twin brother ought l
would have been better too feel half
ashamed of myself now as / sit gray
headed and grandfather. To be sure,
1 laugh over the joke yet, but it was
rather hard on 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
ing to our custom, dressed just alike. I
had seen zeke get through the ceremo-
ny SO 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 lit
tie anxious to be gone, they said, but
Bob said the girls were waiting in the
entry ESQ they were, most of theml and
he was anxious to lay the plans for a
grand sing and exhibition in the near
future, so kept Zelle all right.
But to return to Nell and myself 1t
was wicked, to be sure, but / took her
little hand in mine and pressed it as /
knew Zeke did and walked ON silently.
z 'There's Dave and Jen behind us,
whispered at length, $50 Well talk
low"
Eyes," she replied, I hardly knew
what to say next, yet half the distance
was travelled, and was listening for
Zele's stride behind us.
"What makes you go so fast, zeke, -
she whispered. sit will be over too
soon.
''To keep them behind us, !" replied.
"Let them pass, )" and she stopped
still, and Dave and Jen laughed gayly
as they went ON.
81 want to ask you. ZelSe. IL we had
not better have breakfast at instead
of z, for the hour is rather early, and
/ am afraid Cousin Helen won't get
over in time" she whispered still. My
heart went clan -fe-claD for hero xvac