The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-07

when his gun might go off, therefore
took off my hat and stood up on my
wagon and made 'em one as far as
knew how. Doorin' the sacred .cere-
mony the man repeatedly winked at
me and the woman smiled and giggled
but of course I preserved my dignity
and suffered no loss of prestige. When
1 had concluded the Teller handed me
up a dollar and said:
Just as good as could have been
done by a bishop, and I'm sure we are
much obleeged. Better make 1t part
of your business arter this. Folks out
! this way shouldn't be so darned per-
ticker as to who nlarries EN-"
He then bought two bottles of The
AIleviator at the regular retail price
and the happy couple turned into a
crossroads and gaily pursued their
weddin' tower.
I had logged along for about mile.
and was thinkin' of the mutability of
life and the recklessness of human
yaiier boss at a fast gailop overlook
me and babe me halt. When 1 had
pulled up my old boss he shouted:
Have you seen a kuss of man and
a wretch of a woman pass this way?'
81 met a bride and bridegroom back
there by the crossroads" 1 answered.
What was the man like?"
HE was a chunk of a Teller with
hilarious feelin's and sandy hair"
"'Tis he-Bob Jones! And how looked
the woman?"
Her form was that of a feather bed
tied in the middle with a bit of clothes
line and as for her mouth"
IT'S my Maryl Which way did they
sTo the west. Why all this furious
ness? What has happened to make thy
hair curl?'
THAT cuss Jones has wrecked my
happy homei" he yelled as he made his
boss cavort around. II took him in as
a hired man, and now he has taken me
in as a fool"
I'm other words, he has run away
with my wife! Yes, sir. my confidence
has been betrayed and my fireside
wrecked. That is, it will be wrecked if
L can't overhaul 'em and bring Mary
back. As for Bob jones'
And he lugged out long, sharp
butcher-knife and tried the aige of it
on his thumb nail and looked like a
d-handed murderer.
But the man Bob is armed with a
revolver as long as a fence RAIL- 1
said.
rs that sop he queried. as sudden
paleness came to his cheek.
And he and the woman are mar
Married be hanged! How could they be
married?"
but tell you she was my own wifer
Yes, she might have been. but she
was to know whether she was your wife
or some lucky maiden with romance in
her soul. 1 married her to Bob Jones and
I don't know what you are goin' to do
about it. Folks as want to keep their
wives must tie 'em up or tag EN-
BY the great livin' jingor' yelled the
man, as he made his boss stand on its
hind legs and tried to look as fierce as a
pirate by the livin' lingo. but some
body shall die for this, and I'll begin on
your
But he didn't. talked to him in a calm,
soothin' way. maxim him see that any
man was liable to lose his wife at any
time, and that it was not my fault she
had no tag on her, and when had opened
a bottle of Alleviator and he had taken
two drinks, accordin' to directions, he
grew quiet and said:
Stranger, this may be all for the best"
Il don't doubt it
Mary was an awful feeder, and Bob
wasn't with his salt as a hired man"
Then why repine?"
another drink of that Alleviator, and I'll
turn back and find a better wife before
shutdown, and have my happy fireeside a
boomin' away happier than ever"
And as he left me and I again logged
I was made to realize as never before
that virtue is it's own reward.-(Copyright
1904, by t. G. McClure.)