Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-23
Red Saunders
HENRY WALLACE PHILLIPS


Dear, dear! says ne. 'Ine hurry
 and skurry of young folks! How idle
 it seems when you get fifty years away from it and see how little any thing counts! For all that, 1 thank God says he, that there's a little red left in my blood yet, which makes me sympathize with them. But the girls people object, you say?'
 T made that all clear to him. The girls always all right, father,' says I and as for the man in this case, my word for him..
 "Now, it ain't just the right thing for me to say; but, seeing as I've nev. CT had anything in particular to be modest about, and I'm proud of what the old gentleman told me, I'm going to repeat it.
 "'Your word is good for me, Red, says he. You're a mischievous boy at times, but your heart and your head are both reliable. Give me your arm to the wagon.
 Then I felt mighty sorry to think of lugging that poor old man all that ways.
 "'Here,' says I. Now you sit down again. Don't you do anything of the sort You ain't fit
 "He put his hand on my shoulder and hobbled his weight off the game leg.
 "'Reddy, I was sitting there think ing when you came in-thinking of how comfortable it was to be in an easy chair with my foot on a stool, and then I thought, If the Lord should send me some work to do, would I be willing" Now, thanks be to him, I am willing and glad to find myself so, and I do not believe there's any work more acceptable to him than the union of young folk who love each other. Ouch! says he as that foot touched the ground. Perhaps you'd better pick me up and carry me bod fly
 'So I did it, the old housekeeper fol- lowing us with an armful of things and jawing the both of us, him for a fool and me for a villain. She was a strong minded old lady, and wish could remember some of her talk. It was great.
 We went around and got the doc tor
 "'Hoo" says he Is it as bad as that? I winked at Father Slade.
 "'It's a-plenty worse than that says I. You won't know the half of it till you get down there'
 But of course we had to tell him, and he was tickled Funny what an interest everybody takes in these hap penings. He wanted all the details.
 By love- says he, tine man whose feelings ain't the least dimmed by a broken leg-horse rolled on him, you said; splintered 1t, probably - that man is one of the right sort. He'll do to tie to-
 "When we reached the ranch the boys were lined up to meet Us. 'Hur- " along" they called. 'Angey can't keep uncle amused all day"
 "So we hustled. Kyle was for being married first and then having his leg set, but l put my foot down fiat. It had gone long enough now. and I wasn't going to have him gripping it all his life. But the doctor worked like man who gets paid by the piece, and in less than no time we were able to call I.oys in.
 "Wind River Smith spoke to get to give the bride away, and we let him have it.
 Wed just got settled to business when in comes Angevine, puffing like buffalo. For heavens sakes. ain't you finished yet? says he. Well. you want to be at it, for the old man ain't over two minutes behind me, coming fast. took the distance in ten foot steps. Just my luck! Foot slipped when was talking to him, and I dropped remark that made him sus- picious-I wouldn't have done it for q ton of mOney-but it's too late now. I'll down him and hold him out there if you say SO
 Well. sir, at this old Father Slade stood right up. forgetting that foot entirely.
 "'Childron. be ready says he. and he went over the line for a record.
 "'Hurry there" hollers old Bob from the outside. where he was on watch. Here comes uncle up the long cOulee"
 What are your namesT says Fa- ther Slade They told him, both red ming.
 Do you, Kyle, take this woman. Loys, to have and keep track of, come he'll or high water. her heirs and as- signs for everT-or such a natter says he. all in one breath. They both said they did.
 Things flew till we came to the ring There was a hitch. We had plumb forgotten that important arti- ,le. For a minute I felt stingy. Then cussed myself for a mean old long lorn and divcd into my box.
 Here. take this" I says. It was ny mother's-
 '' oh. Red. you mustn't part with hat" cried Loys. her eyes filling up.
 '' Don't waste tine talking. put through what I tacss!e. Hurry, please, iather.'
 -Has anybody any objections to hese prOoecGiaesY says he
 "T nave says I. but I won't men ion 'em. Give them the verdict
 ~1 proaJa1ce yOI man and wife Let Us pray. says be. "'What-s thatT scTeeches Uncle To7esy from the doorway. And then le gave Us the quee7eSt prayer yoB iver hearI in your life He stood o1