The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-10

''Whar We be goin, Mis- Biggs?'' the
captain inquired OF Merlinda, in fine
irony
II wuz goin' ter git married, an 'Fn
do it yit, she replied so dehantly that
the captain gasped.
$50 We Will. so We WILL" he responded
II see yer glttin too headstr0ng fer
me but not merried ter him, gal, I'll
pick out the man fer ter be my son-in-
Tor, an dOan We nevah fergit tibet"
The captain climbed into the boat and
pointed up stream. He sat down at that
end Of the craft. with his gun across
his knees, and grimly suppressed his
wrath. They had not gone far before
the dugout glided by a big water oak
whose branches extended Tar over the
bank and were intwined by a huge
grapevine. The fruit was ripe and hung
in luscious clusters.
"HOf on er mint" said the cap'n
"Lemme git er bunch"
Sam backed the boat under the tree
and the cap'n carefully placed his gun
where he thought he could get it quick
est and reached aloft among the ten
drills. Sam let him get good, firm
hold and then drove the paddle into
the stream for one long, strong stroke.
The dugOut shot from under the cap n 3
/ feet in an instant leaving him dang
ling above stream so feet from shore.
Bloody blazes! What on airth am We
about2 Hey, cum back shouted the
cap'n, but Sam began to beat the water
with his paddle and to yelp like a dog.
/ A big alligator showed his snout out of
the water Immediately, almost, and it
: seemed to the cap'n blinked its ferOci-
Gus eyes at him.
Hey, Sam, quit yer foolin an back
up hyar," said he. He was stout. ana
even The grip of desperation was not
going to hold UP 200 pounds until a
hungry alligator went home.
II amt foolin, % said Sam solemnly- Il
! want ter marry Merhnda, an hyars whar
l does it. Y e am jestce NV the peace an
kin tie us e tite q eny person IN JaWgy.
I If We won't do it, why, then. We kin dr2p-
/ After that CATER hes ChaWed We up thar
won't be nothfn' ter spile the weddn'.
4 reckon I'M be kecpin yer store after that.
"Nlerlinda" gasped the cap n, viii yc
squat thar an see yer only parent ct up
al give him both barrels in the eyes,
But Merlinda chewed the ribbon of her
sunbonnet and gazed far away
Cap'n Eph felt that his strength was
Back up. sam. an take me aboard. III
merry We" he said at last.
Nary a back" answered Sam. mo mar
wot hez ever been in politics in tbs yel
county would take yer word Ter anything
Yer gwine ter marry us right Wnar We
The oap'n took another look at the ali
gator and it set him in tremble.
"2Ierlinda. said the cap1, striving for 9
fresh grip dye take that ornery cuss tel
be yusban fer bettah or fer wuss2 THAI
couldn't be no wuss.
Yes paw" said Merlinda.
An We. lie dOdblasted yaller faced CHIP
Z nuulz, d We take my darter ter be Yer law
full welded wife2 An L hope she'll be like
her nal"
You bet" said Sam. playfully splashnf
a little water at the alligator.
Then pronounce We man an wife. NOV
viii We back up2'
Cap'n Eph sank exhausted into the boa
and Sam slowly padded up the river Z
the landing. Just before he turned tn'
dlgout in toward the shore he remarked
say. dad, yd eyesight mus be. failln'
Didn't We observe tibet thet SICK ole Saloi
didn't hev no teeth?'-St- Louis World