The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-09-16
HER WEDDING JOURNEY.

ut was 4:30. The September sun
beat down on the crowds which
thronged the county fair grounds
The final heat Of the last horse race
had just been trotted, and the perspir-
ing spectators, who had been packed
four deep about the track, turned their
steps toward the center of the grounds,
where the si1ken mesh of big balloon
was filling out symmetrically over a
hickory fire which cracked in hastily
dug pit.
The event Of the day was scheduled
for o'clock, and the patrons Of the
fair were evidently Of no mind to miss
any part of 1t. From a fat, shapeless
mass that lay inert on the ground
there gradually arose gllstening
dome Of shimmering silk, enmeshed in
q spider-like web Of ropes. The dome
grew and rounded steadily. 1t became
a huge ball; its silken bag was stretch
ed smooth and taut with much rustling
and many smothered EXPLANATIONS from
the onlookers. 1t trembled and strain
ed like a thing alive, and at last It
doated upward and pulled and tugged
at it's moorings while the wicker car
was adjusted beneath 1t.
Meanwhile, in a stuffy little room
back of the managers office, near the
entrance gate, heavy-built young man
gtalked nervously up and down,
mopped his red face, and now and
again pulled out an ancient silver
watch and anxiously marked the up
preach OF 8. His white tie, his patent
leather shoes, his long, black cutaway
with the white chrysanthemum in the
buttonhole and his tan gloves Of ar
obvious newness, all proclaimed the
approach Of an epoch in his life.
Near the one little window in the
room sat plump, pleasant-faced
young woman. In one hand she held
an ample bouquet Of white pinks; the
other hand restlessly smoothed the
folds Of her white muslin gown. Now
and then, as she glanced up and
caught the young mans eyes she gave
him quick smile Of perfect conf
dence.
The young man paused before her
and took one of her whIte-gloved
hands In his own.
"You don't feel scairt, do you, Mel
Hep he asked in grave concern.
"Not a mite," she replied, cheerfuily
He leaned over her and looked out
the little window. He saw the balloon
swaying In the breeze and the sea of
upturned faces watching it.
II sorter wish we warn't goin' to DO
tt-on your account, Nellie" he said.
Look a-here, Jim," she said, gayly,
''you needn't feel uneasy on my &C
count ia rather marry you hanSin'
head down from trapeze than to 20
the way l was, a-work1n' there at the
Joneses. We couldn't get married for
years, if this chance hadn't come
along, an call it flynn in the face
Of Providence to talk about not want
in to go on, now everything's all
fixed" e.
There's an awful crowd out there"
said he.
"PoohI Who's afraid Of crowdT'
she shifted. II amt"
He looked at her with admiration
plainly stamped on his face. His big
hand pressed hers tenderly.
well, 'twon't take long," he said,
a. If bolstering a waning courage,
''Itll all be over in a jiffy."
She picked thread of his coat and
absently wound 1t about her finger.
~ should sorter liked to gone up to
Cousin Sereny's after twas all over"
she said, little wIsttully. ''she bein'
about the only livin' relation got,
I'd liked to gone up there an told hcr
all about 1t.
"P'raps we can go, Nellie" he be-
gan, but she cut him short.
''No, we can't, Jim. 1t would cost
lot for two Of US to go up there, an
wen need all the $500 we git out Of
Ehis to start In with In the spring. I
don't know just where It's that Cousin
sereny lives. Ali I know Is that it's
somewhere In Ridgeway County. Wen
wait till after we've got started Ia on