The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-08
ired. There was nothing to do bus q.

ments which the expccfant bridegroom re-
quired arrived after about four months,
but those OF the bride did not come until
ten months after the first application was
made for the license, ner fathcr living
in the wilds of Western Nebraska, seven
" miles IRON anywhere.
After all the papers were al hand tho
commandment visited the bridegroom aud
requested him 20 20 70 his Office TO ar
range everything. 80 that, after "A delay
OF two weeks. the ceremony might De per-
formed. These two weeks would be need
ed TO give every one LIVING IN the neigh
borhood chance 10 digest tho news OF
tho approaching marriage. and IN case
any one knew Of any impeachment I'm tho
way 10 enable him 10 inform the Gov
'rnmcnt For convenience "a paper Was
nailed up az tne post announcing the
f1cts Another was posted M .he house
or the couple 10 bc married. 10 being the
only public place In that vicinity Since
me natives cOuld not read the paper had
70 be explained every time one OF them
saw n.
a. last the wedding day dawnod. a Sat-
urtay beins chosen for the occasion.
lN'iytnins was iu readiness the day be-
fore so that there could be an early start
on inns eNentfui day. The casOe, about
thfty ieel Ions and four feet broad. had
becn hNcd up with an awning from sail
eiolh, easy chairs being placed tor the
WCddius party OF i0ur-bridc groom.
bridesmaid and an Intimate friend who
acted as best man. Tho natives fourteen
IN number. who padded the canoe were
seated on plauks fastened across the ca
nee. Ihcse men were an dressed in white
loin cloths and white shirts and an were
very anxious 10 work IA the canoe on this
occasion. In the bow rice and nsh were
carried FOR tho dinner of thc crew.
About o'clock. an hour before sunrise,
the canoe left the station. The groom
had taken u upon himself 90 steer The
voyage was quiet and peaceful until some
one shouted ~ phuhOo' Every one
looked. but the hlppopOtamus had already
disappeared. 20 rise again at distance.
The water was without ripple and the
trees were mirrOred I'm rs depths. Tho
banks on both sides seemed adorned Tor
a feast. so many beautiful colors were 10
be seen In the trees. Everywhere tho
cries OF birds and monkeys were 10 bee
heard. the rising sun disturbing the sleep
ers. often the hoNls OF the h}cna made
discord in these melodies. After travel
ling about nine miles. place called fllia
NCumbia Thirsty Steamer, WAS reach
ed. Here the river widens into Jake
three miles across. on TINS morning the
water was Ike glass, although IT'S wave
had often sWampcd canoes. An hour
strong pull across this lake. and the river
narrowed again. Here they say the mon-
keys used TO cross. forming bridge hy
hanging 10 each others tails. That must
have been in those good Old times when
people were afraid Of Africa.
The tide going down strongly soon
brought our wedding party 10 their desti-
nation. a little after a. NJ German
merchant had invited them 10 MS mouse.
and also prepared 10 spread the wchdin-
breakfast. he. being the oldest among
the Europeans. claimed the right 10 give
away the bride After they had rested a.
little and were Joined by the necessary
witnesses, they an proceeded 10 the
French post followed hy "a crowd OF Ai-
rcans who wanted 90 see this strange
performance. AT the post everything was
unusually nice. one could see mat they
had been very busy preparing 20 do JUS
ticc 10 this grand occasion. Even "a ne"
carpet eraced the floor. Monsieur, the
60 mmdudamt. received the bridal party az
the door and took them 20 their diner-
emit seats and chairs were placed Tor me
couple % he married az the foot ob The
table. while the representative of France
took the head The witnesses and others
were seated at the sides.
After an were seated Monsieur proc
Coeded with the ceremony. He read very
rapidly. but it was over half am hour be-
fore he came 10 the momcntous question
and asked Tho bride and groom to tiN
"cui.' They said "oui.' and then Doe ask-
od their 20 sign large document Aii.f
the signatures OF the witneS-t. ioNnN.i
cor gratulatiCns. and an was over uhIh
seated around the table az The pctitu
factory. ItL WNlif lNpNi' ft.t N''f 90 '-
breakfast. which could not poe surpassed
i'm tropical Africa.
About r. NJ. the canoe was ready and
an the white people came 20 The river
beach 10 see the newly married COUP.
OFF. The bridesmaid and best man return
al with them. Throwing on anoe7 ii"
rice after the canoe was now ihe oiht.
of tho day The return voyage at ui7L
was as pleasant as the morning journey
only tho sky was little cloudy dNs
tornado was coming up After passing
the big lako the clouds began 10 l9oH
darker the lightning flashing ON an SLICES.
and the river seemed 10 boil the water
vyas so rough Soon the roaring or inc
wind and rushing of the coming ram 'oiu
of danger. ,,s,- 20 ,t,,
river when the wind struck it. There was
nothing 10 do but 10 try 20 redch lne rhti
te~ of the shore. Birds were uuitefins l'
am directions seeking a place or rest. lue
briderro0n was at the helm again. an"
only I'M. nreeenco of mind saved the Whol.
marty from "a watery grave. hc 'niH,r
the canoe and shouted, fuil NV
hovs." The waves We're rushing ln' Ht"
ing the work "a great deal hHl"'i
-ftor "a short time. which srcm'h f'll
iono tborrh. the shelter of the mih-
oro,cs was reached. Here DO comp'l"
saforv thew waited until the storm Va"
s,,grt its Jury. The natives dipped UT.
,-ator from the canoe. and aliei "a N''n.
If nearly am hour AN were READY e. 81
an Every one vas thoroughly pitN'i.'''
but thankful that 30 was NOT
About o o'clock the homo was r'l. ',''
and the day ended in "a quiet anu '.'''
bic evening ., ,,.,f5ira-
I'm the French COngo.-NcW YORK '""