The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1895-05-02
An Ok Team Elopement.
BY HOMER BASsFoRD.


/, rso;on of the Ozarks, not far from
4, Missouri Arkansas line, 1 came
.,r wagon in which were seated
,ro Young people-a man of "a and q
:, Of 18 or 10. To their vehicle
,.,s voked two red oxen. The beasts
allied their eyes lazily as they stood
I'll, at the command of the youth and
d. c;rl blushed and looked off into
the trees.
aIookin' fer us?" the young fellow
allied out to me, as 1 appeared through
he underground with my gun slung
aly across my shoulder.
aIooking for you?" I echoed.
aBless YOU, no. Where did you get
| the notion?
oDunno," the youth replied, lifting
Ii. hand from an old-time rifle that
av along the back of the seat. I'm
hinder suspisshus like of every feller
Isee"
"why?"
"well, to git right down to the fic's,
rsre- Clorindy, here, and me-we're
alopin'."
The Youths face had relaxed the ex-
mession of sternness that [ first noted
md he was smiling. The girls face
vas very red, but she was smiling, too.
Then smiled.
"Eloping? Well, that's pretty good.
You haven't very fast team there,
have you?"
NO" returned the youth, looking
1t the dusty, tired, red animals. "No, !"
10 said again, ''but they're stiddy. an
what's MORE" he went on, with show
d pride, they're mine"
How do you happen to be elop-
hg'" inquired.
"They was two of us after her
corindy here-an' I jest went up an
g l, Which'll you have?' She
Under smirked and said as she lowed
hs didn't know. I don't take no
tock in dickerin', so L comes right
out an says, says 1, 'Ye kin have me
bow or not at ALL. Mighty pre-
nmin' says she, but kinder soft like
N tone. l knowed | had her then an
KEEP up my blusterin', though my
hsart want backin' up all my mouth
nd Well, says l, well go right
way if yer ready ut which she held
d like and said it want fair not to
EveJonathan- that's the other fellows
'ine-a chance at it. l see right
hen an there that I'd got to hustle if
vas goin' to win, so l says goodbye
"her for the minnit an goes over
lone and yokes up. 1t was jest as |
bought. When L got back she
Vlorlndy here-was all tuckered up
ady fer to start"
When did all this happen?" I in
opposed.
Last week." he said, "and then We
sarted to-"
And You are still eloping? Aren't
!on married yet?" asked, stopping
'm In his excited narrative.
Bless yo', yes," he exclaimed.
ihe girl blushed again and pulling
as pink sunbonnet over her face,
ansd away.
Vh, yes" the youth went on.
aafried that day noon at Square
'l'fises, over near Thayer. We was
NUN at the Squares table, eatin'
@sn Phil Henry, one of the neighbor
We kem runnin' in an says, says he,
a'nk' Jonathan an Rindy's dads af-
@!ou with the black yoke an they're
e~n all the boys out. Well, all we
.a'a DO was to git right up an pike
h putin the Squares good dinner
@aef the seat. Phil said that iona
ua thought I had TUX a mean advan-
we Of him."
ana haven't you seen anything OF
Ssa yet?" asked.
NO. not yet, but I'm skeered of
"one OF the boys at don't like me
go to Thayer an git one of the ho-
NOSES and come along, but I'm
~ nere," and he patted his old
le' Our yoke is purity fresh yet
ney're better than their'n any
' III they catch us we'll have fun
esn, Shore"
'us didn't you tell me that you