The National tribune., 1903-06-18

Co. Q Selects, Place for the Wedding. and
Proceeds to Preparations.
"Oh, yes!Iroh, yesv' shouted Corpl
Yawman, nextrmorning as Co. Q was fin
ishng breakfast "All the qualified vot-
ers of this here school district, except
those detailed for guard and fatigue duty,
are hereby notified to assemble at once in
Il mass meeting under that big live-oak
on the other side of the parade ground.
Business of great Importance"
What is gnawins at you now, 1aw-
MANI" grOwled Sim Dickinsheets. "Haln't
got half 'nough money to buy that ring,
s'pOse. Never expected you'd have. Fools
and their money soon parted, but not as
soon as that. Going TO make another
haul, are you!'
Nope; the rings all right answered
Yawman cheerily disresarding Sims
snarling. '.It's safe in the inside pocket
of the Hon. Henry Joslyn, Treasurer OF
the Committee. Got money nough to buy
two such rings. Committee reports great
progress in that matter. Another hen on
now"
What is it, anyhow. Yawman?'
shouted the boys as they eagerly gather
ed at the rendezvous.
Yawman's fertility in supplying them
with diversions was bOundless, and they
had welcome ready for any suggestion
of his.
You will find out after the meeting
comes to Order,' replied Yawman, taking
up his position under the kindly shade of
the spreading liye-oak. The Hon. Mont
gomery Scruygs, of Hoop-hole Township,
will preside. Get up on that meat bar
for a gavel. Now state the object of the
meeting, and do it in one time and three
motions, for we must get to work.
THE meeting will come to ORDER"
shouted Monty, pounding on the barrel
with the bayOnet. The calling of the
roll and the reading of the minutes of the
preceding meeting will be dispensed
with"
Il object" shouted Sim.
Shut up, there, Sim,' ordered Yaw-
man.
This is meeting of free men, where
every man has 4 right to speak his mind,
l understand"
shut up, all the same, l say. We
haven't time to monkey with you"
The objections are overruled," decided
Monty. The object of this meeting is
to consider a proper place in which to
hold the wedding of our friends. There
is no church in the town big enough to
hold tenth Of those who are anxious to
attend. The Chairman of the Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds will
now report"
"The Committee was constituted" be-
gan Yawman in his most impressive of
ficial manner.
Il object to the word constituted
shouted Sim Dickinsheets. There's abb
solutely nothing constitutional about this
blasted abolition crusade. It's all in viO-
latiOn of thee Constitution. and any refer
ence to it is. an insult to any thinking
man. =.
Say, Sim, You make me tired" said
Yawman. There goes sick call. You
remember yoUgOt off guard by telling the
Orderly thatiyhu was sick and wanted to
go to the Surgeon at sick call. Run along,
now" - '
"He only done that from force of
habit. He wRnts to go up every time he
hears sick cali" growled Sam Plopper,
who was evefba more inveterate GROWER
than Dickinsheets, but different from him
in being always ready for duty, and un-
sparinS on all who were not. He amt
no more sick, than l am" IL
'.I'll wollOQFthe head off yOu," shouted
Diekinsheetss who had been the village
bully at. home, and who was always
ready for fisticuffs with the members Of
the company; though markedly adverse
to standing guard or falling into line of
battle. Il felt so bad when / got up this
morning that l could scarcely drag one
foot after another. l will lick you if you
say again that l um not sick.
PlOpper, who was much the smaller,
squared up to him pluckiiy. but Yawman,
not wanting the business of the meeting
interfered with, separated the two COM
batants, jammed Dickinsheets down on a
log that served for a bench, and then re-
sumed his report.
1.-The Committee was constituted to
consult with the parties to the marriage
as to where it should be held, and to prop
erly decorate the church, but no church
1,,,f hsoh dat
even fraction OF those who desired to
attend, and the Committee has desired to
have this meeting called that it might
present a plan to them to meet this OBJ
lection"
Hear! Hearr' shouted the company,
applauding.
branches Of the trees meet in an arch
overhead, AMI if it's properly fitted up it
will make the best place in the world for
the wedding. We can put there stand
for the preacher and trim it up with
flowers anl flags in way that will make
it a regular bower of beauty, which can't
help pleasing everybody. 1t is going to
take a great deal of work to fit this place
up, though. and il this meeting adopts the
plan everybody's got to pull off their coats
and go to work with a will"
"NOw, friends and fellOw-citizens, you
have heard the Committees report, and
you know what is before you," announced
Monty.
"Mr. Chairman, 1 move the adoption
Of the Committees report" said Yaw
man.
IAN those in favor of the adoption of
the Committees report will signify by
saying aye" said Monty.
The company roared out vOlley Of af-
irmatives.
"The contrary minded will say no." an
nounced Monty.
NO" shouted out Sim Dickinsheets.
Weddings is no picnics. 1 believe it's
contrary to the laws of Indiana to hold
weddings out of doors, and l object"
'The ayes have it, and it is SO order
ed" decided Monty.
Now, boys, break for your tents, put
on your fatigue clothes, and meet me
down there at those oaks" said Yawman.
II will show you what's to do, and after
have relieved the old guard I'll be with
you and help. Everybody pitch in."
The placeeto which they all rushed at
Yawman's suggestion was where the long
branches Of ,the 1O0-armed live-oaks,
which had been vigorous growths when
Columbus setisail, met high above the
ground in the lofty arch Of a perfect
natural cathedral. 1t was an architec
ture far surprising the proudest of hui
man hands-7that Of the wonderful forces
Of vegetable, life, patiently working
through thei centuries toward imposing
symmetry. No haste, no hurry. A thou
Sand yaorc xvo4.n dow fha fira1aca