The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-01-05

With the same animation and spirit
that ne did other errands. he gladly did
this one for his sweet, old wife.
Just as he passed out-of the kitchen. the
little rusty horseshoe, which had dangIed
above the door for twenty years, fell
with q clink to the floor. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Nmith stood and stared blank and
speech;ess at the lifeless, helpless horse
shoe. Not a word was communicated. but
it hs. its aarring effects upon them.
He, bting the more superstitious of the
two, .ratued TO himself confusedly as
he les, the door 1t pressaged something
dreads>.l in his mind. and. indeed. it was
very ominous to his wife.
Mr. Smith you must know, was reared
in the hills of ''old Mizoury.' as he would
often refer to that state. where he was
fed on corn-bread. bear meat and stories
of socery and superstition. He quite fire.
quently recalled the stories of how the
sly old witch would squeeze her dusky
length in through the key hole of the
door and how she would do some awful
deed. Hence. it is natural to think that
he would instinctively worry of these no.
ticeable occurrences just precedent TO the
gravest event of all-the marriage of his
only daughter.
Both of the parents had Ions prayed
that Emma would be lucky enough to
marry wealthy. A doctor. a lawyer or
some professional genius was the idea
that had been portrayed and wished for.
but a rich farmer was satisfactory. at
least it was Emma and that is nine points
in law.
1t was a sturdy young farmer with
ample finances and considerable influence
politically and otherwise who was to be-
come Emma's husband. She let her
thoughts ramble far into the future and
nothing but happiness and pleasure could
she see.
The guests of the day were falling in
two by two. family by family The fated
moment was approaching for the we'd
ding. The Smith home was comfortably
arranged for the occasion. and 4 very
delicious and appropriate dinner was
awaiting. Everything was in readiness
The minister. in his long frock. was 1T
his post the guests in their various posi-
tions. and the organ peaied a lively we'd
ding march. The usual impressive words
which linked the happy couple together
We're spoken and the visitors were now
bestowing their showers Of compliments
and hearty wishes
Mr.. Smith and several of his right-hand
bowers had vis;tea the wine cellar fire.
auently. pending the preparations of csre-
monies and as they looked on they could
not help smiling
There was Emma. attlred in her heconl-
ing silk gown as hlissful as bird in
Spring. and Samuel wilkins. long and
slim. wrapped up in the neatest of back.
They appeared gag. hut who woaldnt,
The preacher had done his brisf work
in eloquent style. the guests had sPiis
their spontaneous flashes Of fattery Upon
The couple. the sohbing mother had bsde
them maternal godspeed and much good
fortune.
WHY don't you say something. old
mani" blurted out n corpulent little man.
who was filed 10 the brim with wine
Silence pervaded The room ard al stared
inqulrinsly ~ Mr. Smith.
Mr.. Smith was a comicaI looking crea-
ture bv this time. the wine having put in
its rolHcking rnocd in sosd ssead- Ne
looked Ike q comedian vi h his broad
bSstAliaS .atS ~ 'ssn-ia>S.- A'N"Nft'f -
did not get 10 say anything just here 20
IL wss the dinner hour. There was a
magnificent festivity thn and there.
everyone enjoying themselves gloriousls.
Afler th.s was over the guests aSain as
se-lhled Ia the pzrio-. Ar Smith was
again requested to say a VOID o. 1--WE
He iiaaiiy arose ard stretched oet his
arms and Guns them abou> in Vii ges-
tureS. Then he smiled and commenced