The Washington times., 1902-05-25

Tut. man. we'll punch you full o
holes, If you talk like that said Mar
win, smiling with the assurance OF Eve {,
one. And, then, why should you no
join us? What harm to be married now
If you have run away to be? And will
you have all the fun TO yourself? Nay
nay" he went on in his nasal tone
You've broken up our evening now, an,
yen break your own neck OF help us tt
finish it in our own way. Gowan, Hey
Gowan, Where is the man? Here" h,
added, as the tavern-kecper stuck hi.
nose through the door, bring us /;
Bible"
Tho door swung wide open.
"A Bible" cried the astounded man.
Aye, Bible
And what. think ye. would be doine
with Bible?''
God knows" said the other. Little
enough. But we do not need one. Come
man turning to me-"stand there.
/ turned to the girl and she looked up
at ME. l read in her face what she saw
in mine. We must go through with the
thing. or in half an hour she would be at
the mercy of these outlaws.
Why not. my friends?" she said
turning to them. 81 cannot be married
too soon. Else why should have run
away from home?".
After all, the man was no minister.
and a forced affair like this could mean
nothing. And so there, in the reeking
room, with one man in stupor and with
five as wicked specimens of humanity as
it had ever been my lot to meet, the
drunken Marvin married us in the early
morning hours. How the wretch knew
aught of the marriage service could
not then tell. But he did, and We agreed
by nods-only speaking when forced to
to cleave to each other in sickness
and in health, in good fortune and in
bad. till death should us part.
When he came TO ask my name, / hesi-
tated. and was about TO give another,
and then-curse me for a careless beast
the man called Purdy spoke up, read
ing from the rim of my hat: "Balfort." 8"
And SO / gave my name.
Mistress" said Marvin, your name
now"
Deborah Philipse." she said, beneath
her breath. and then repeated a part OF
what he dictated. though her arm grew
heavier and heavier in mine till my
wrist throbbed with pain.
/ thought then it was over, but he
must needs get paper and ink. and
write out blurred and rambling certif-
Philipse were married the 18th day of
September. 1850. by James Marvin, min
lister of the gospel; whereupon those
looking on roared with laughter at him
and his solempity. and most of all at
his signature that covered half a page.
When he had signed. Purdy cried out:
Now. a toast to the bride," and we
filed again, and they drank and
tasted.
But Marvin stood up. keeping his bal
lnce as best he could. and droned out in
mock solemnity:
Gentlemen. you forget. The minister
has not had his fee
Then. turning to me, he said in
tone. with horse pistol
pointing at me from his right hand,
You would not forget the man of God
hat made you the possessor of such as
his?"
Indeed, ] had not seen II until that
moment, nor had IT occurred to me till
hen that had on my first night in this |
ountry fallen in with gang OF Skin
lers. II was clear enough now. and the |
musement they were to have, and were
Iaving. while robbing me was of their
wn devilish making
Let me pay the fee," said the girl |
agerly. and. drawing out silken purse,
he took from 1t half dozen gold pieces |
enough for forty weddings-and hand
d them to Marvin, adding, II thank you.
ir.''
could have cried with rage at this |
est, the simplicity of the girls vision.
oupled with her Infinite skill in turn
ng the whole episode from fight into
peaceful, or rather harmless. robbery!
Marvin held the pieces in his hand.
nd made WY face as he leercd AT her.
'Tis but a small sum for so great a
orvice. Mistress Balfort,'
Why" said she. with a vacant
tare, and then looked at me. Some
hing must have shown on my face; for,
18th sudden catching of her hand at
er throat and falling OF her smiling
TASK. she handed him the purse and
,rned away.
Marvin counted out the pieces with
ow precision, and then turned TO his
snR.
This is but a paltry pair after ALL"
aid he. And never have ! had so small
marriage fee. Con you not help your
dy wife out, good ir?'-aGdresslng
e.
An uncontrollabb, movement that
ade drew four long barrels on MY
Fad no; FIVE feet away, and with
'oan threw him Diy wallet.
IT held goodly sum, and ! prayed
iat they might forget to search me. for
hat else ! had lay with my dispatches
my boots. But savage grunt from
Ie other side of the room saved us
very eye turned tow ard the sound. and {
G saw the Jolly good fellow" wriggle /
I'd SIT up He vas dressed like ms 7
,ponent, and ] was watching him as he !
ruggled 10 his feet when a spasmodic /
asp clutched my arm. turned to see {