River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-06-25

anyth 7 is better than nothing; that
as we eve is better than not being; that
better is a dry norsel than no morsel.
Now II you refer beck 60 First Kings
o."
Excuse me for inter- pting, DOCTOR
exclaimed. "But E .all certainly at
tend church In Huntington TO hear
your discourse, but for the present
about this elopement."
Pardon. pardon" said the minister.
relighting his cigar. II was wander
ing. TO be sure. The young people lost
no time In explaining what wns want
cd. and I. realizing that the quicker IL
was done the closer to home they would
leave me. was not unwilling to begin.
We had By this time struck into this
road that we are following, and were
swinging along at a steady run. The
light wagon swayed TO and fro so thatI
had difficulty in retaining my feet when
l stood up TO perform the cert mony.
The bride and groom remained seated,
for the latter was busy with the driv-
ing. Scarcely had the first words left
my mouth when we heard behind us
faint call to stop, and turning saw 0
blackboard, drawn by two dashing
horses, just appearing into view over
the brow of the hill a quarter mile be
hind. / saw the moonlight CLEAN on
something that savored Of guns, and
cold chill crept over my frame.
"Tt's PAL exclaimed me bride. but
go ahead. Mr.. Buckle. 1t will do nc
good TO let your teeth chatter
MY teeth did chatter, and with
cause, for beside the scantiness of my
garb, the persons following us fired
gun. 1 heard the report and duckcd
and am positive that bullet wh'stleo
few inches above my head. with that
peculiar sound we read SO much of IN
war history. The marriage ceremony
is really very short. but performed un
der such conditions IL seemed to me
endless. But at length II was done.
81 suppose you will let me off now?
said, for 1 could hear clearer than evel
the clatter of hors, s. feet behind us, anc
knew that our pursLers were closing.
did not want TO witness the meeting.
"'Not Just yet, doctor. said one of th'
big fellows at my side. The marriag,
certificate next; and the heaviest sign
first
"And with that he drew from his
pocket the needed paper. Mary Spring
house put her name in the proper plac,
and then young Bunder signed. Th'
rattle of wheels came louder, but w,
were in the woods and could not see th'
pursuers.
"'My turn next said l, selling tn,
pencil from the groom.
"'Not on your lifei'.yells the big Eel
low who held me. Heaviest erst.'
"And with that he seized the certifi
cate and pencil and witnessed the paper
Then he leaped of behind and disap
peared In the woods We had emerged
into that clearing where you saw tn,
bridge when a call tn stop came to u
the whip fall on the mules, and the.
plunged forward with lightened load
for the second witness had signed ant
left us. There was a report, and again
| seemed to hear the whistling bulle
intended for the groom, a fact tina
caused me to involuntarily start
jump. 20 find my escape baked, for tn
bride chung fast to my blanket
assign the certificate!' she screamed
II signed-a very peculiar signature
TO be sure, but & satisfied her, and sh
expressed her satisfaction by giving mi
IA push that sent me flying from tn,
vehicle into the road by the bridge.
"When 1 regained my senses / was ly
ing In the ditch at the roadside, my fee
partially immersed in the waters of tn,
creek. My position was such that m,
PROSTATE body could not have been seen
from the road. and the pursuers must
have driven by the spot. little suspect
ing that one of the chief and most un-
willing actors of the drama lay bleeding
within few feet of them. For bleed.
ing was; my head was badly cut; my
back and sides bruised so that every
step caused me misery. listened at.
tentively. but heard no sound of hoof.
or wheels, and SO determined that the
pursuit was now far away. Weary, cold
and wounded. I set out for home, five
miles back along the dreary road and
through these lonely woods. The sur
was just rising when dragged myself
up the steps of the parsonage and fell
exhausted into the arms of the agonize6
Mrs Buckle"
did Henry and Kate get away safe
| ly, doctor2" | asked.
"Yes. they did, was the reply. "Thai
was why l got away, too. The littl,
affair created such enmity between the
two families and myself that they re
fused to contribute longer to the
church. But, as Solomon says in Prov
| CRIBS and"
"Punk-ing-toni" bawled the brake
man. banging the door open.
/ did not hear the verse from nv com
panion, for it was lost in the clengine
! of bells, scrape of brakes and the scuffis
of passengers feet.
1--WE enjoyed meeting you immense
| ", sir" said the divine, seizing my hand
al hope we will see you at our church il
you ever stop here. Good-by."
And he was gone. sighed and re
| lighted my pipe.-N. 4. Evening Sun.