The National tribune., 1898-07-28
"what do you say, Squire ?" asked

what do you say, 'squire9" asked
Shorty.
"Pve bin studyin' on Jest whar come in,n
answered the Magistrate "These two save
their necks by marryin', but do you under
stand that the law says that the Magistrate
who marTies EN- gifts his neck saved 2"
The court is not clear on that as n pint o.
law" said Shorty; "but in the present case
it'll hold that the Squire who does the
splicin' gifts as much of rake-off as the rest.
This is not to be considered a precedent,
however,
''All right" assented the Squire, "let
the couple jine hands"
With an air of glad relief, blackberry
sprang up and put out his hands Mrs Boil
ster came up more slowly and reluctantly,
grasped his hairy fist in her large, skinny
hand. The Squire stood up before them in
his most impressive attitude
Hold on" suddenly called out Tom
Weleh, who was the guard house lawyern
of Co. Q, and constantly drawing the Reg
ulations," the Tactics" and the "Con-
stitution and laws of the United States"
IN which he was sharply proficient, upon
members of the regiment. 81 raise the point
that that Squire can't oficiate until he has
taken the oath of allegiance to the United
States"
ST and Shorty looked at one another.
That's a good point" said 81. "He's
got to take the oath of allegiance"
Never" shouted the Squire, who had
begun to recover his selfconfdence "Never.
as long as / live. I've sworn allegiance to-
the Southern Confederacy, and won't take no
other oath"
Grave for one :" called out Shorty to the
boys with the pick and shovel, as if he were
giving an order IN a restaurant. . Full size,
and hurry up with it,"
He picked up his measuring rod and started
to take the 'Squire's dimensions.
The Squire wilted at once. 81 s'pose I've
got to yield to force, he muttered. 'Pu
take the oath"
:" Who knows the oath ?" inquired 81.
DO you, Tom ?"
Not exactly" replied Tom, non-plused
for once. "But 1 know the oath we took
| when mustered in. That ought to do What's
good enough for Us is good enough for him.
$50 ahead, =" ordered ST.
"We ought to have q. Bible, by rights,n
said Tom
where kin we find your Bible, Mrs Boil
ster 2" asked ST.
"We'uns air done clean out o. Bibles. - she
said, rather shamelacedly. ''Thar haint
nary one in the house. / alters said we orter
have Bible. Hit looked Spectacle to have
one In the house. But Andy alters wanted
every cent TO guZzle on.''
'>kiere's Testament. Thatn do" said
Tom, handing ST one which some of the boys
had about him. "Le's make 'em all take
! the oath while we're at it"
You'll all raise your right hands, +" said
81, opening the book. "Place your left on
In hoa a. ~,
| man there, givin' your own names" ST was
as solemn about it as he believed everyone
should be at such a ceremony blackberry
and Mrs Bolster were not sure which were
their right hands, but ST finally got them
started, and Tom WEIGH repeated slowly and
impressively:
: You do solemnly swear to support the
Constitution and laws of the United States,
and all laws made in pursuance thereof,
against all enemies and oppoSers whatsoever,
whether foreign or domestic, and to obey the
orders of all officers duly appointed over
you. So help you God, and kiss the book"
And to quit liquor selling, smuggling,
spying and giving aid and comfort to the
enemy" added Shorty, and this was joined to
the rest of the oath.
+" ought to have added that they wash
their faces once day, and put more short
enin' and film in Mrs. Bolster's pies" said
Shorty in an undertone to ST. But sup
pose we oughtn't to ask impossible things"
Now 90 ahead with the wedding cere-
mony," ordered 81.
Again the Squire commanded them to
join hands. and after mumbling over the
fateful words, he pronounced Thomas Jeffer-
son blackberry and Mrs. Sally Bolster man
and wife.
Now" said Shorty, who felt at last fully
insured against great danger, g / believe
it's the law and custom for all the witnesses
to a wedding to see the bride and groom in
bed together. You'll go inside the house
and take one of them beds, and alter we've
seen you there We'll consider your cases
further. You're all right, anyway, until we
hear from camp tomorrow"
Amid the grins of the rest of the boys he
conducted the newly-wed into the house.
He and ST brought out the sack of meal,
few cooking utensils, side of bacon, and
the package of coffee, which they gave to
the other boys TO get supper with They
closed the door behind them, excluding the
children and dogs, and left the pair to their
own reflections.
Gentlemen, what air you gwine to do
with me ," asked the Squire "I'd power
full like to git on home, if you've no further
use for me-"
We haint decided what to do with you,
you old fomenter o. rebellion" said ST.
1--WE ought to shoot you for what you've
done in stirring up these men to fight US.
Well settle your case tomorrow. You'll stay
with us till then. Well give you your sup
per, and after awhile you kin go in and sleep
in that other bed, with the children"
The Squire gave a dismal groan at the
prospect, which was lost on the boys, who
were very hungry and hurrying around
helping to get supper.
They built fine fire, and cooked bounti-
full meal, of which all, including the Squire
and children, partook heartily. A liberal
portion, with big cups of strong coffee, were
sent into the bridal couple. As bedtime
drew near, they sent the Squire and the
children into the house, and divided them
selves up into reliefs to watch during the
night.
Ito be continued)
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Work of the Pension Office.