Smyrna times., 1903-04-08


dent and Cashier shut the door Of tb,
safe and retired to the Directors room
TO recover their self-control.
The bank was the right thing in the
rlght place, and became the centre NJ
financial life of the community. All
sorts OF schemes were concocted and
promoted in its back room. Strangers
were always brought there to be in.
troduced and entertained.
A School Board was Organized and
scheme for the public library con
cocted. Prospectors brought their
ores and their assays and sold their
CLAIMS to spectators and investors
Inc banks patrons increased in
numbers and the deposits IN size nm.
III III three months time they had
amounted to more than S15, 900. a little
OF which they kept in the safe and
with the rest opened accounts in New
York and Spokane.
One uay young couple mounted on
ponies rode up to the door and the
man, dlsmOuntlng, entered. He was
arrayed IN leather trousers, flannel
shirt and sombrero hat. Mexican
spurs lingled ON his boots and the
leather case of a revolver protruded
from under his coat.
"They tell me you're preacher ;" he
SAID, squaring up to Tom.
They told you the truth"
KIN you marry feler?"
II can if he's got girl"
You bet your sweet life I've got a
girl"
Then bring her in"
Being evidently a man of action
rather than words, the impetuous
young groom slipped outside. lifted
hIs sweetheart from her pony. and led
her through the door.
Can l come in and see the show"
whispered Walter.
Eyes. there'll have to be a witness.
but behave YOURSELF" said Tom.
He admitted them to the Directors
room, and did his best to relieve the
embarrassment of the pretty voune
girl, who was blushing painfully but
charmingly over the dread ordeal.
After he had recorded their names he
told them how to stand and what to
do, and then proceeded to ask them
the usual questions, to all of which |
the man assented IN loud, courageous
voice not unlike the bark of mastiff. |
and the woman in sweet little chirps
not unlike those of an English spar.
row.
"And now," said the minister, after
he had pronounced them husband and
wife, ''you may kiss your bride"
This part of the ceremony evidently
took the man by surprise, for all his
vlgor and self-conidence suddenly de-
serted him. In an almost abiect tone
he said: Good gracious, elder!o
She won't let me. I've tried it bnn.
dred times-but, but, s-s-shelI
come around at last, id don't vou
think sop
Il trust she will, my dear fellow"
said Tom, taking their hands in his
shes dear girl, and honor her
Tor her mOdesty! Her kisses will be
all the sweeter when you do get them.
BE KIND to her. Remember that mar
'lage will prove curse instead of a
blessing unless you love one another
lnselfshly. If you will each try to
make the other happy-instead of in
ilstlns that you shall each be made
happy by the other, you will always
)e thankful for this hour. And now.
Tod bless you and keep you! Good
)ye!"
Tears sprang to the eyes of the
'oung girl. She looked at him through
hem and said: "Oh, thank you, thank
'o1, sir! You spoke to me Just like a
atherI l should be glad if you would
,iss me!'
"Then kiss your lover first, nv
lear, " he said.
She turned toward him with a
blush mantling her cheeks.
nd he kissed her again and again.
There, that will do, she said. re-
easing herself from his ardent en-
race and putting up her lips to Tom
nth no more constraint than if he had
een her grandfather-a fact which he
'as just old enough to resent little.
Toms fee was a two-ounce nugget
f almost virgin gold.