The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-02-09

Bob broke the silence after few min
utes' retrospection divining the others
thoughts.
mo stree, lucks come at last, even te
| 'Unlucky Bob dug it out fair an
square out O. that darnation ground out
there indicating a place beyond with
his finger-"an' / know better's to stay
here and lose it ag'in. Tn calculatin'
to go back on the steamer that leaves
day after to-morror, and I'm goin' to
take Liza Jane with me. Now there
amt no time to be lost, as we can see
with half an eye. / want to git married
to her before we start for the east, and
| I'm in kind O fix seem as women
folks is so sticklish on ceremonies. Yes,
| know what we want to say Interrupt
| ting Toms mental reply with wave
of the hand-"I know there's the civil
marriage service, that's all right, an
there's that what's his-name attorney
can tie us up fast enough--men folks
wouldn't want nothin' bindineri but wo-
when folks is different, they re never sat
isfied unless they hear the whole dar-
nation service, benediction an allan
that's where I'm stuck. Ye see 1t won't
be the Reverend Winthrop's turn to
preach in our settlement for three Sum
| days comm, to wait for him means to
| lose the one chance this winter to re-
turn home. That's out O. the question.
Now I've been thinkin' me and she'd
| 1get hitched by the 'torney and then to
please her we'd try to put in the rest o
| the performance somehow by turnin' on
| . 7 tl1J - ,,N1,n ~,
yourn has turned out tunes in great
shape. Can't it do somethin' more for
a feller? Didn't We tell me that we HAD
an eye to business an had three sped
ial records for special emergency cases
made for We when you was east last?
Tom nodded--he saw light.
Gosh, I didn't dream when you was
tellin' me Of the scheme you was work
in I'd be yer first customer. Say, have
We got the weddin' SERVICE an what will
We turn it on fer?" he fairly shouted,
bringing down his fist with heavy
bang making the blasses ring upon the
counter
Toms face assumed business air of
calculations. Lots O. fun yes all had,
an little expense out O that phone, We
must admit, a-playiri' every night like
mad all through the year most She
did finely for yes. but I'll be blessed,
you're the first Teller as calls upon her
for official business ha-ha-ha say
it'll be greatest her ogoin' an she'll
do the rest-leave 1t to NELL hide her
behind screen an the voice'll sound
as natural as the old pastors when he's
havin cold.
Both men laughed-"Let's try her
now to make sure"
Tom, fully awake to the novelty of the
situation, disappeared with alacrity be-
hind curtain dividing store from bed
room. There was the sound of boxes
being pushed around, then silence fell
upon the expectant ear Of Bob, who,
feeling instinctively that only the COM
Portable can listen with ease, dropped
on bundle, Of goldfish hard by. Pres
emily buzzing issued through the por-
there and then there broke upon the air
in a rasping, sonorous voice the Epis-
copal wedding service:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered to-
gether here In the sight of God and In
tn face of this company to join togeth-
er this man and this woman in holy
matrlmony, which Is commended of
Saint. Paul to be honorable among all
men, and therefore is not by any to be
entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but
reverently, discreetiy, advisedly, sober
" and in the fear of God Into this
holy, estate these two persons present
come now to be Joined. If any man can
show Just cause why they may not law
fully be Joined together let him now
speak or else hereafter forever hold his
peace
"Reason?" shouted Bob in answer to
the warning voice of the autonaton,
there amt no reason under heaven
why we can't be Joined together quite
forgetting that this was only rehearsal.
Il require and charge you" went on
the hidden preacher, while Tom came
from his place in hiding, rubbing his
hands gleefully at his success, and
nudged his friend In the ribs
'How's that me boy, for fine i'm
itation-ain't We agoin' to overcome all
difficulties an Liza James prejudice
too? Gosh, it's much finer and solemn
er than some O. the PASTORS talk who
gifts kinder used to it, you know"
What am goin' to do when she says
what she's sayin now" questioned Bob
with puzzled mien.
wilt thou have this woman for thy
welded wife?' asked the graphophone.
Say yes of course, what else would
We say? And she'll do the same when
it comes her turn, an we'll work the
delusion like a charm" advised Tom.
You're friend worth havin' and no
said the miners voice from
the Goldfish pile, and as Tom came near
err he felt his hands casped in grateful
pressure by Bob, who continued:
It'll be all right. I'm sure Liza
Jane'll appreciate the next thing to a
real minister. Have the machine down
at the McFarlanes' by six o'clock snarp
on Thursday evenin' next, put her in !,
the back room, an I'll prepare Liza
Jane an the ladies for the surprise as
were goin' to give 'em. An mind ye,"
he said slowly rising from the dried |
fish, I'D sooner be payin' you than the |
parson for the great convenience any |
day With that Bob light and |
heavy-footed CROPPED his way to the |
door and left the grog-shop to begin
his wedding preparations.
AT six o'clock on the following Thurs
lay evening, the entire population Of |
he mining hamlet was assembled in the !
main room of the log cabin where |
lad tr,A al .