The sun., 1908-05-03

Of 1880 took unto myself a wife, and she
was the Joy Of my life. -,
but, poor soul. she did not remain with
me long, for in the autumn when the leaves
were falling she passed away, and before
she died she asked me as a last request II
would marry her sister.
Il did. married that sister, and every
thing went along fine until winter set IN,
when she died. Her aunt came to keep
house for me. 80 In due time j proposed 10
her, and In the spring she said yes, ana
we were married.
Everything was serene until May, 1870,
when, by gracious, she had to take notion
10 die tool l went almost out OF my head.
and | guess I'd have gone all the way "
her sister hadn't done all she could for to
cheer me up, and so on September .. 1870
| married her sister
sWe went away and STAYED Ave years
apd returned 10 Milford, and In four weeks
after attending a barn party there she
took suddenly III and died. For five years
| warded on taking another wife, but IL
was no use and took my fifth, and on our
Way TO Milford she died ON the cars, so
instead OF taking a beautiful bride home TO
be congratulated on took one cold and
stih in a box.
Then went to Philadelphia, bound to
stay there until could return with living
ried woman worth SIS 900, sad that nlght
we had an infair, as We called wedding
parties in them days. For me TO tell how
many attended would be impossible Some
said there was 10000 and others said 1900
| do know, though, that at the first table
there was 5000 sat down, and the banquet
cost me $1,000.
sWe Just laid back and enjoyed life for
pretty near two years, when my bride went
and took a cold and IL carried her on, After
that had no peace anywhere. for every
woman knew was wealthy, and no prince
ever had so many lovely ladies after him as
| had.
Il couldn't escape, and 80 the following
December after my sixth bride had gone to
ioin the others sucoumbed 10 the seventh.
Her father gave her $40 900 as a wedding
present, and as we were preparing TO start
on great wedding trip she took quick con-
sumption and on Christmas Eve she was no
more. ! was nearly heartbroken, tor she
was as lovely as an angel, and so kind
$50 went back 10 Philadelphia and there
mourned her and the others until met a
very wealthy lady who was anxious to be
helpmeet for me, and let her. Her health
failed by and bv. and took her for change
of climate, thinking il would be for her good.
II was. for she left this wicked world for life
eternal. and once more mourned
Eight mounds in the ohurchyard now
fell 10 my lot 10 keep green, and then at
state reception met young woman who
seemed TO want 10 be made life partner OF,
and so we we're married. This was in the
summer Of 1880. out in Colorado, and we in
tended 10 come East in the fall, but even
while we talking over plans for the trip she
suddenly was taken with heart disease, and
my ninth was no more.
Before | managed to put my affairs in
shape 10 90 away from there. in November,
1890. another Of Colorados fair daughters
captured me for TO be my bride. Like the
nine that had gone before, heaven seemed
fairer TO her than earthly scenes for she
tarried with me but four short weeks, then
left me again aiuno-twice for me in that
eventful year Of 1890.
Il went % Indiana seeking change.
found very little, for II seemed as i u was
cut out for me there TO get married and
be wdowered same as elsewhere, and
there II happened twice. So hurried back
East, now twelve times widower.
Il evaded the possibility Of making i
thirteen quite a spell, and then the belle OF
Orange county became my bride. When
her turn came TO 60 and she went took to
the woods once more, and il seemed to me
as il / didn't care how things went with
me. But having tracked a couple OF bears
TO a cave in the mountain | found that |
did care after all, els, ! wouldn't have
fought 81 like a fend TO save my life from
those bears.
when found they were in the cave
got couple OF halters and went in after
EN-. The cave was 50 narrow that ! had
to go in on my hands and knees. got one
| bear haltered all right, but when ] started
| in TO halter the other il turned on me.
Its mate pitched in 10 help Il and We
! fought in that narrow cave, nearly 200 feet
| deep in the mountain, for four days and
nights. On the fifth day ! tuckered the
| two bears out and led them out into the
| air and sunlight side by side.
Il was feeling pretty tired and ] tied
| the bears TO tree and went over TO spring
near the mouth Of the cave 10 get drink.
| As ! bent over the water and saw my re-
! hecton in II ] almost fell back in rant.
! I'd had thirteen wives. but when went
| into that cave 10 tackle them bears my
| hair was AZ black as black could be- Now
| il was az white as the driven snowl
And then | knew that bear fight had
! been something Of a hear fight indeed,
| But wouldn't mention IL II 1t wasn't that
| although ] escaped from the bears with
! a head turned white in a single night, 80
| 10 speak, that white head took me right
| into the arms Of my fourteenth-it seemed
| so brave 80 true, 80 noble, she said, and
| then last tall sne 100 went anu puI oh 'ho
| golden slippers,
Il said then that the graves OF fourteen
wives were quite enough for one widower
10 keep green, but have changed my mind
Yes, I am getting ready to introduce the
| fifteenth Mrs. DR.. James Nicholas Nann.
! I'd have done II on April %, my one hundred
and first birthday hut she said II was 80
sudden, and she couldn't get ready. But
she will be along soon'