The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-11-28

Liar" Strengthened hfmSelr up ana the
Observation-Disclosures stories" yawned
visibly.
This I might say" continued the
speaker, sis a tale about a wedding
that had variations. Indeed, the vari-
ations are the best part Of the story.
1t is an anecdote that mingles hu-
NOR with pathos, and prison cells
with prayer. But on the whole it's
a good story" There was a pause for
a moment until an attempted jibe Of
the low comedians had been sup
pressed and then the Westerner re-
sumed:
II was working at the time for a
big furniture firm in Colorado Springs
and l travelled all over the state TAX
ing orders. When we sold a bill Of
goods on credit 1t was our rule to
take a chattel mortgage against the
purchasers property to secure u L
selves. In case of non-payment the
mortgage entitled us to sell the de-
linquent out. AS I had been working
pretty hard of late l decided M day
to take a short vacation.
Accordingly I saddled up my pony
and started out for the mountains.
I spent some pleasant days among
the prospectors and finally rode up
to Ute Pass. Up In these parts there
used to be a famous summer resort
that had gradually fallen into decay.
What had been once the trysting spot
Of wondering tourists was now a typi-
cal mountain town with inhabitants
of the most primitive type. The old
hotel buildings were still standing,
but the occupants of them no longer
laid in wait to fleece the summer
visitor. 1 happened to remember as
l approached the place that q woman
mp In one Of the old hostelries owed
us a bill that was long overdue.
Thinking that I might as well CON-
bine business with pleasure l con
elrded to go up and pay her a visit.
When within the outskirts of the
town I noticed that something I'M
usual was on foot. Excitement was
In tho morning air. Men were NOV
ing about with W~inchesters in their
hands and looks of determination in
their eyes. 1t didn't take me long to
md nj what was the matter, for as
I drew up rein on the main street a
nountaineer rushed up to me and ex-
claimed
Say, stranger, we n would like
ter borrie yer boss Of yer hes no OBJ
js%ctions.'
whats upr l inquired.
why, sun varlnint broke inter
Their post offs last night an we uns
es a goin' ter chase him a bit down
ther trail
II declined to lend my animal and
my now friend left me after telling
me that I better stay around a bit
till the fun began.
Accordingly I put my pony in one
Of the hotel sheds and sauntered to
the house presided over by the land
lady who owed me the bill. NV in
terview with the woman proved my
thing but satisfactory. She had no
money and she didn't know when
h would have any. She said she
could not accommodate me with a room
and altogether she impressed me with
the idea that she was anxious to get
rid OF me as soon as possible. Her
motive was beyond my reason. Con
sidering the fact that / had papers
OH which I could turn her out of house
and home for non-payment l should
have thought hat she would want
to conciliate me instead of raising
Ire. So | walked down the street
TO plan my next move. The first man
i ran into was my old friend Amherst
the Pinkerton man, down at the
Springs.
"'Heilo,' said I, what brings you
here?"
"Postof1ce robbery, was the laconic
answer.
1--WE stopped and chatted for a few
minutes, and told him of the frost
I had experienced up Mt the hotel.
ooh. that's all right said Amherst,
the old lady's daughter is going to he
married tonight. and l guess she
didn't want you around. Put. say, go
up and see her again, and make her
give you a room for two. I'll stay
with you ver night
I'm a few minutes, by dint Of sun
dry bluffs, I managed to secure the
desired room. The madam also told
me that she had some cattle out in
the mountains somewhere. and that |
might go out and round up enough to
make good that furniture bill. This
was entirely satisfactory.
The conversation turning to the sub
ject Of the wedding, L soon learned
that the groom was to be the consta-
Die. He seemed to be about a mixture
OF ignorant mountaiIeer and country
dolt, as much as anything else.
In view Of the approach
ing nuDtials he had temporarily
turned yer the duties of high con
to his prospective father-in-law.
The latter, clothed in all the dignity
OF his new honors, was out leading the
posse that was chasing the postotiicc
howard evening the representatives
or the law and order returned with n
prisoner who, it seems, was a tender
foot. Captors and captive only arrived
the wedding was about to start and
young q was locked IN in a
room while the guests proceeded to the
"The bride turned out to be a real
pretty young girl. of about eighteen
and she was attired In the most
gorgeous style it has ever been my
pleasure to see. The groom also re-
joiced in a new suit of store clothes
that didn't fit him. The schoolmarm
had taken her place at the organ and
the preacher was about to begin when
happened to think of the license.
promptly asked the groom If he
had that necessary document, and the
l6 tier dra wled:
Yep, here she be-" at the same time
a document from his pocket.
The parson glanced at the paper
FOR q minute and then his brow cloud
ed. I'm very sorry he said, looking
up at the eXpectant couple, but | can