The news & observer., 1905-12-30
DREW sTRAws FOR A BRIDE.
Three Brothers, all Counting the Same
Girl, Compete in u Novel Con-
test-The Girl Herself
the Originator
of the Plan.

A citizen who spent Christmas in
an adjoining county, came back with
story that just about heads the list
of Christmas happenings. The
said citizen got the report straight,
and as he was in that section per
hapS its "a true story" Anyway
here il IS:
In the said adjoining county there
lived three young men, three BROTH
ers, they were great strong, strap
ping fellows. In their nighborhoOd
there lived and moved and had
her being a pretty little lasse, just
entering young womanhood, with eyes
as bright as the sparkling brooklet,
with cheeks as fair as the lilies she
trod upon, eyes as brown as the chest
nut burr. etc., etc.
Now ali three of unese 10ys-these
brothers-loved the same girl. Every
one of them upon his knee had beg
ged for the answer yes, swearing
tlA,t if the answer was mo" his life
would be but an empty d.eam. But
this young Miss loved them ala
least, she so declared. She refused
to give an anSWer-just kept them all
on the anxious bench, so TO speak.
So the courtship Of this quartet
ntinued-brother against brother.
Is is even said that when she went to
church--to preaching, as the country
people say-two of these boys walked
by her side while the third was con-
tent to walk behind.
AT last the young MSS decided to
accept one, but just which one she
loved the "bestest" she could not de-
termine So calling them before her
she announced her decision which
was that they should draw straws for
her hand-the one drawing the short
est straw him she would marry. She
was to manipulate the novel plan as
she was the only "disinterested'' one
in the quartet. The brothers agreed
to this and-reader, don't you know
there was suppressed excitement while
she was getting those straWs-the
contest began. The brothers who
had always walked at her side drew
first. And then the fellow VIII" had
been content to walk behind, timldIy
came forward and drew the remain
in- straw-the lucky straw, for 1t
was nearly two inches shorter than
the others.
True to her word bhe became hts
bride q few days before Christmas.
And if what the others told her comes
true two lives will be but empty
dreams" while one wll be crowned
| with real happiness.
And all this happened in Davie.-
| Winston Sentinel
Mason Davis.
| Winston Salem. n c., Dec. %
Rev. d. X Mason and Miss Lillian
Davis, both of this city, We're united
| in marriage at the Broad Street Bap-
tist church, of which the groom is
the pastor. II was a beautiful wedding
and the friends present to witness the
ceremony filled the church
The church was testefully decorated.
| MendeIssohn's welding march was .X-
cellently rendered by Miss Spease and
Mrs. Sprinkle sang beautifully Be
cause of Thee Sweetheart" The cere-
ynony was performed by DR.. II. A..
| Brown, pastor of the First Baptist
church.
The bride was BEAUTIFULLY costumed
land carried a bouquet of lilies OF the
valley. Preceding the bride to the al
tar was her sister, Miss Hattie Davis.
| Rev. II. A. Barrett OF Durham, was
best man and accompanied the groom.
| The attendants were, Mr.. Neil Davis
and Miss Brawiey, of MooresYllie;
Mr.. Edward Davis with Miss Shore.
| OF Boonville.
At the home of the brides mother
luncheon was served at which the
bridal party and a few friends were
present
The guests were: DR.. and Mrs. H..
| A. Brown, Miss Brawley, of Moores-
Vile; Mr.. Neil Davis, Miss Shore, Mr..
Edward Davis, Mr. and Mrs. /. ;.
Sprinkle, Miss Davis, the maid of
honor, and Rev. II. a. Barrett, best
man.
The groom, Rev. d. Kelly Mason, is
the eloquent and popular pastor of the
Broad Street Baptist church of this
! city Few ministers are better loved
| by their congregation than Mr. Ma
son, and his genial manners and up
right life have won him very many
warm friends in every denomination
| in this city.
The bride is equally popular. She
! possesses those rare attributes OF
heart that makes her companionable
land lovable. The popularity OF hoth
was shown by the very large assem-
| bly, that gathered at the church. many
| of whom could not get near the door.
| X < 4
Mrs Heyward's Dinner FO" Miss
BrOadfOOt.
One of the most charming of the
/ small events of the week was the dim
ner given last evening by Mrs. Albert
| s. Hayward at her home on Linden
! street in compliment to her guest, MISS
| Mary Broadfoot. of Fayetteville, N. {.
| Covers were laid for ten, the guests
! including, besides Miss Broadfoot, Mr..
and Mrs John K. Ottley, Miss Fort.
Miss Jeanette Swift. Mr.. Sheppard
| Bryan, Mr.. Hunt, Mr.. Mccullough, and
Mr.. CooneY.
| The table had suspended over it an
| immense hoop strung with red bells.
| and in the center was a silver loving
cup filled with meteor roses The coll
onial cand]e-sticks were covered with
poppy shades under silver filagree,
| the mints and candies and ices We're
also in red. The hostess was hand
some in a gown of black net. the low
corsage outlined with princesse lace
and jet medallions.
The guests of honor who is a petite
blonde, dainty as q Dresden doll and
with charming gift of expression,
wore becoming dress Of accordion
plated lisse, trimmed with cobwebby
lace.-Atlanta Journal
X X X
Fourteen YeaP-OIG Bride.
Lexington, n. c.. Dec. 29.-Miss
Mary Cross, the 14-year-o!d daughter
of Mr.. Eli Cross, who was a citizen
e..