The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-01-11

So
"Let me tell you about a wedding
I saw once," remarked ''the man who
had been out West" as the expert
ence meeting of the "Have Another
Club was called to order. The unique
Liar" straightened himself up and the
"NIan-who-tells s-fsh-stories'' yaWned
visibly. y.
This l 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.
It 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
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 I travelled all over the state tax
Ing orders When we sold bill Of
goods on credit it was our rule to
take ,chattel mortgage against the
purchasers property to secure our
selves. In case of non-payment the
mortgage entitled us to sell the de-
linquent out. AS had been working
pretty hard Of late decided one day
to take a short vacation.
Accordingly I saddled up my pony
ND cSfo tod fl,1 +0i
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
but the occupants of them no longer
laid in wait to fleece the summer
visitor. I happened to remember as
approached the place thai e n oriisin Il
up in one Of the old hostelries owed
us bill that was long overdue.
Thinking that I might as we'll COM
bine business with pleasure l con-
clrded to go up and pay her visit.
When within the outskirts of the
town I noticed that something un-
usual was on foot Excitement was
in the morning air. Men We're NOV
ing about with Winchesters in their
hands and looks of determination in
their eyes. 1t didn't take me long to
find out what was the matter, for as
I drew up rein on the main street
mountaineer rushed up to me and ex-
claimed:
Say, stranger, we uns would like
ter borrie yer hoss eff yer hes no OBJ
jections'
"'What's up? inquired.
why, sum varmint broke inter
ther post offs last night an we uns
es a goin' ter chase him a bit down
ther TRAIL
Il declined to lend my animal and
my new friend left me after telling
me that l better stay around a bit
till the fun began
'Accordingly / 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 any
thing but satisfactory. She had no
money and she didn't know when
she would have any. She said she
could not accommodate me with 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-
sldering the fact that I had papers
Oh which could turn her out Of house
and home for non-payment 1 should
have thought that she would want
to conciliate me instead of raising
my ire. So I walked down the street
to plan my next move. The first man
ran into was my old friend Amherst
the Pinkerton man, down at the
Springs.
':Hello,' said I, what brings you
hereT'
Pcstoftice robbery was the laconic
answer. .-,
''We stopped and chatted for few
minutes, and / told him of the frost
I had experienced up at the hotel.
'Oh, that's all right said Amherst,
the old lady's daughter is going to be
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 over night. .. .....
''In: 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 I
might go outcand 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-'
Bile. He seemed to be about a mixture
of ignorant meuntaineer and country
dolt, as much as anything else.
In view of the approach
ing nuDtfals he had temporarily
turned over the duties of high con-
stable to his prospective father-in- law
The latter, clothed in all the dignity
Of his new llOnorS was OFF leading the