The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1899-12-20

so mighty close to one mother. them
two. Wharever you see or hear the
one you're mighty apt to see and hear
the other"
Bound to be that away. Tennes-
sees all the child his pa has got" Tom
said. But bark. What's that? Some
fellow must be shootln his Christmas
guns early
Them amt Christmas guns. They're
too close together" the squire said,
walking to a window, open in spite of
the rain. Besides, they amt comm
right. They sound up towards Ken
lucky"
Il bet it's runaway couple" Jim
| Wilson cried, dashing out upon the
piazza. with the crowd pellmell at his
heels. II hear horses and wheels and
folks hcllerinr' he shouted back over
his shoulder as he darted down the
steps. Tennessee was close behind
| him. so close that the darkness swal-
lowed them at the same instant. All
the rest could hear now out upon the
big road confused and Strengthening
| medley-shouts. cries. curses. gallop-
! ing hoofs, whirring wheels. sharply
punctuated now and again by a drop
ping shot.
/ "Runaways! They're comm in! Hear
'em. They're through the gate! Here
squire! Get on the bottom step, with
your lantern ready! You'll have to do
: a quick job this time. surev Tom Tur-
ner cried. shouldering the people aside
and setting the little squire in the
forefront of them. He was scarcely
steady upon his feet when horseman
upon painting and foam covered beast
flashed into the clair obscure Of the
z lantern light. crying out: "Fetch the
squire! Quick! He knows me-George
Perdue! Here's the license. squire.
Fellow I know-stole his gal-old
mans right behind-got Winchester
and the sheriff. Tie 'em quick as you
can. Thar amt minute to lose. It's
all right, l tell you! Thar they come
that couple in the buggy ahead"
The squire seemed to swell. to stand
an inch taller. He could hear above
the labored painting of the two horses
which drew the buggy the noise Of 9th
err horses coming as furiously. cries and
curses. too. and the crack of rifle.
the sharp report heralded by lur!a
glancing glare. Steadying himself on
Tom Turner's shoulder, he said In his
lOudest, most official voice to the pair
hidden in the bu-yy's cavernous re-
cess:
do you and each of you solemnly
agree and covenant before Almighty
God aud these witnesses to take and
keep each other for better or for
worseY'
eve do" came in smothered tones
from the clipping pair.
''Then, by virtue Of the authority in
me vested. pronounce you man and
wife" the squire shouted, making a
dart at the buggy and finging back
the robe. "Come in, come in, you
young people," he said. leave me to
talk to the old man."
you'll have to, pa. It's you he's
mostly mad WITH" Tennessee said,
springing out and handing down his
bride. tall, pretty girl. mud splashed.
disheveled and smiling through her
tears.
The squire, after one long. gasping
stare. was fully himself. 1T is my
custom and privilege to-ahem!-kiss
the bride in such cases." he said, press
ing his lips to her forehead; then to
his son. Take her inside. young man.
I don't forget you won the farm in
winnin her."
mo, you don't take her inside" some
one cried from ten yards down the
drive a second after. Old Man Milan
had flung himself off his horse and
was trying to lay hands upon his
daughter.
Squire Jordan stepped in front of the
angry man. Il reckon our old grudge
is settled for US. Henry" he said. hold
ing out his hand. "Say. amt you
ridin tonight some of that same old
skewbald stock ?"
Old Man Milan nodded. He could
not trust himself to speak.
"And it was beat in this runaway
race by my same Blackhawk blood.
l oughter "a known that was Ten
nessee's span," the squire went on
judicially; then, with whimsical
chuckle, Henry, don't it strike you
we've been couple of fools?'
ut does look sorter that way" Old
Man Milan said. and then and there
The pair shook hands. and feud ended.