The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-10-02
A FLYING MARRIAGE.

Two been longing for some ono to talk TO,
for it seems to mo that this journey is in
terminable."
"Slow train-bad road, " said my new
made friend, throwing his high hat on tho
back of his head and biting tho end OIL
a cigar "Oh, see you smoke. Don't I'LL
your pipe. Take one of these-excellent-
made by member of my congregation.
Even had not experience taught me to
refuse cigars offered by clergymen, and in
particular clergymen with solid white ties,
/ would have declined the moldy looking
weed that the doctor held toward me.
II only smoke pipe" said, stretch
ing tho truth little that he might not
feel offended Then l pressed my face
against tho window and peered out into
the dismal country through which we were
running. Now we were plunging through
lonely stretches of dark woods, now run
ming across wide reaches of newly cleared
fields, with here and there n log house ris-
ing above tho waste OF fallen trees, just
visible in tho half light OF tho moon which
was rising abave the mountains few
miles away. Following lis as we spun
along was white, smooth road that glis-
toned in tho moonlight close to the track.
Once iii awhile wo lost it in tho darkness
of the woods, but as quickly as VIC emerged
into the more open country VIC could sec 1t
at our side again, hugging us close, which,
/ reflected, was but natural in such
dreary land.
'Fine country, ehs'' said DIR. Buckle,
II don't think as my third son, clever
lad, il there ever was one, says. 1t just
happens that 1 know this region pretty
we'll. There! Did you sec That place
Il on
bridge? That was where they dropped
me.''
dropped your" / ventured inquiringly.
Pardon me. thought that had been
telling you about it, returned the min
lister, fitting his tile still further back on
his head what memories the sight OF
that place cngenders! You see, sir, some
ton years ago | had u charge in this very
lucality-at Pulevillc five miles down the
road There were two churches, ono at the
village and tho other back in the country
some six miles, and l alternated between
them. Tho charge was indeed q poor one,
but WAS Il struggling young divine then,
with wife and four little ones to sup
port, and l was glad enough to have a
snug parsonage, salary OF $500 per year
and an average of three donation parties
per annum 1t was the salary question
that eventually drove me away from the
place-a change for the better, to be sure
as have now n splendid church in Punk
ington. BY the bye, wish, If you ever stop
there, you would give us call and SEQ our
new pulpit furniture"
but your story" interrupted, for
saw that no was prone to wander from the
subject of his discourse.
"Ah! There l was forgetting my tale to
speak of pulpit trappings. Your pardon.
Tho trouble was that fully four-fifths of
my salary was paid by two families, both
wealthy farmers, tho Bunders and tho
Springhouscs. Unfortunately for me these
families had been Mt odds for years over a
matter of IL limo fence. In the west there
would have been some lead exchanged, but
this is pcaceablo country, and 50 they
contented themselves by quarreling in
court and never passing word elsewhere
To tho rule, however, there WAS one excep-
ton Henry Bunder and Kate Spring
house"
The doctor was evincing such garrulity
that felt little uneasy and broke again
the thread of his story.
"Soo here. l think 1 know tho rest
They sang in the Same choir; they loved;
you married them clandestinely; salary
cut off; left you a parsonage, $500 per year
and three donation parties
'tTruc, true" said the divine, stroking
his long beard, "but that was not what l
was going to tell you about. l proposed to
relate tho events as they affected me and
not tho young couple-to tell you how tho
wedding ended where the road crossed tho
bridge. May go on."
"By all means. Your pardon. I be-
Iieyed that had divinod your tale"
"In general, yos: in DETAIL no. But to
continue was not aware of this excep-
ton until ono October night just about
ten years ago when loud banging at tho
parsonage door awakened my wife and me
from our sleep. At my request Mrs. Buckle
went down stairs to see what 1t was.
WHO is there!' she called through tho
keyhole
"'John Bunder, came the answer, and
no wants Preacher Buckle pretty quick
too
believing it a matter of Importance,
my wifc rashly called me down stairs to
attend to the matter in hand while she re-
tired. And still more rashly, opened the
door n crack and demanded to know what
was wanted at such an hour.
Its John Bunder and Kate Spring
house wants you marry 'em, preacher
said the big fellow whom saw stamping
to and fro on tho porch. And you'll have
to do it quick.
Indeed, says l, and this is nice
hour to wake an honest preacher for such
purpose
And then, my curiosity getting the bet
Ter of my discretion, unclaimed the door
and opened wider tho crack that might
obtain IL good view of tho party at the gate.
There were three of them sitting in a light
spring. wagon, to which were attached two
lively mules. In the moonlight l could
just discern tho small form of Kate Spring
house, clad in white and seated in front
beside her burly lover, young Bunder.
realized at once that this wedding was
fraught with not little danger to me- and
hence decided to act cautiously.
81 would prefer that you and your
friends would go elsewhere said to the
If approved OF betting, I would bet any
thing that Philip Stamford proposes to
Biddy within "a week"
i arose to go as the door opened to adj
nit visitor. mir. Stamford" said TIE
maid. l smiled and glanced al Joan, but
sho was back 10 tho light and did not no
tico me. Half way down tho street l caInc
on Miss Machin walking with n tall youth,
whom l recognized rs the undesirable
Simmons. As they did not sec mo and it
was no business of mine passed on.
1t was a week before l heard of Joan.
Then L met young Simmons looking SO
unusually cheerful that | wanted to ask
him what good fortune had come to him,
but civilization forbids such inquiries of
acquaintance. After mentioning tho
weather he said with some confusion: sit
was pity you missed Mrs. Forsyth's river
party. We had IA ripping day"
"Whero? When?" exclaimed.
Last Wednesday. Sho said she'd asked
you
Eyes, but didn't know she had asked
you said bluntly.
Ho blushed little; he is a fairly in
genuous youth and has not outgrown the
tIt.K.
exactly ask me, but heard she was going
and happened 10 DO there. That's how 1t
WAS.
"Oh, you happened to hear and BIO there?
That's very curious" said !, looking Mt
him gravely, and he blushed moro -
ever. tried to speak, failed and left M
a hurry.
wondered what had been tho result of
tho party, and that afturnoon l won't to
find out. Tho maid loft mo in the hall,
saying she would SEQ If her mistress would
sec me. 1 am SO usel to making myself
at home in Joan'G house that tho girls
formality annoyed mo, and, to assert my
old footing, l pushed open tho dining
room door, meaning to wait there.
The room was dim, but l saw two fig
ures very close together, which Olsen
tangled themselves whom they saw me, and
one gayo n little Shrek
miss Machin," | cried 81 beg your