The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-04-05

PiaSSu ou opiSdu oh thS SiaoSj thS
steaming coffee is passed around
the family group in tin cups and all
told to "pitch in" No second in
vitation is ever needed in a move s
camp and big and little are soon en-
joying the meal in true campers style.
If the night is moonlight and fine,
some group having finished the sup
per. will start up song and if it is
a familiar one it will soon be taken
up by the whole camp and the song
goes out over the prairie swelling and
echoing from hundred voices while
the prairie wolves may join in
grand chorus of welcome 10 the new
settlers of the west.
After few songs fiddle or two
may be brought out and with the
first stroke of the bow the young
folks, and some older ones, too, will
pair off in couples and with the mu-
sicians seated on boxes the tripping
couples will keep step to the lively
strains of the music for several hours
till at last the fddles stop, the cou-
plies retire, the women and girls to
the wagons and men and boys stretch
themselves on blankets on the grass.
But here and there young coup
lie may be seen strolling about, hand
In hand, or seated on the grass talk
ing over the old, old story, that is
ever new and means the same wheth-
er told in the city mansion or the
prairie camp. Cupid was generally
as much in evidence in these NOV
ing outfits as any one and excited
no comment, being taken as one of
the necessary incidents of the settlers
life.
Indeed it was not an unusual thing
to have a wedding or two in camp
on moon light nights. AT camp
on the south bank of Scatter Greek /,
south of Humboldt, in the fall of go
the writer was a pleased witness of
one such happy wedding. The day
had been hot and sultry but in the
evening full moon and refreshing
breeze came up together and we
were greatly enjoying it, when at
the close of the evening meal, a
young man came up to the group
and anxiously inquired, els any OF
you gents preacher" No one own
ing up to be a preacher he passed
on to others but soon returned with
a troubled look on his manly face.
Seeing this an old gentleman of
the group said, "I'm no preacher,
but up in Iowa, l was justice of
the peace for ten years and if | can
help you I'll willingly do So" The
young man replied that he and his
girl desired to be married and if
the Squire would marry them he
would be greatly obliged. The
Squire said he had married lots of
folks and thought he could do the
business satisfactory.
The Squire and the group were
then invited over where the young
lady and her folks were. The young
man then explained matters to the
young lady and her parents and in
Productions all around followed. A
circle was formed around the Squire
and the couple and they were told
to clasp hands and after marriage
ceremony of few words pronounc-
ed them man and wife. The aged
Squire then embraced the handsome
bride and imprinted a rousing smack
on her tempting red lips. They
were then congratulated by all pres
ent and some "creature comforts"
were passed around by the father in
honor of the happy occasion.
This worthy couple still live hap
PLY together and reside on good
farm, well stocked, not many miles
from Chanute in Wilson county.
They have a large and interesting
family and are highly respected by
a wide circle of friends. The good
old Squire has long since passed
away and this wedding incident had
passed from our memory until the
sketches were commenced.
Over in Michigan the Democrats
have helda convention without cal
ling Bryan "that peerless leader" in
their platform. This is really begin
ming to look serious.-Chicago |
Herald.
1t reported that ex congressman
Peters of Kansas is to succeed Ev-
ms as pension commissioner. Ifhe
ioes there will be great rejoicing
lmong the old soldiers.
KK "
Nearly every person needs a tonic
Medicine at this time of the year to
,raca nm ond fnvfoorata tha narvnne