The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-07-10


mother was one of the best looking
women of her race I ever saw
straight as board, with a real nobil-
ity of carriage. l always had a great
admiration for her. She worked I'M
complainingly for troop of children,
while her husband used up all the
money he could get from her and
went on drunken rampage every
week or two. But with all her en-
durance and good sense in many
things, Bessie's mother was foolish
about her daughter. Bessie was a
mighty poor servant, but she was a
pretty little yellow girl, with small
features, and when Brother Jones.
the new preacher, saw her he thought
so, too. Bessie's mother considered
the preacher a great match for her
daughter-one BETTING the worthy
name of Croton. He was a trim look
ing man-years older than Bessie
and his gold trimmed spectacles and
clerical dress must have inspired Ees-
sizes mother with confidence.
I'VE all sent Bessie a little som =
thing, although none of US cared to
go to the wedding. AS we sat out on
the porch that evening l was just
saying to my husband that Bessie
must be Mrs. Jones by this time,
when we heard a loud wrapping at
the back door and the sound of ex-
cited whispers.
Miss Edith, for de love o.
Heaven, whar are you ALP called
Bessie's voice, and as we opened the
door there she stood in her be-
draggled wedding finery, clinging to
the arm of her mother. both of them
looking scared to death.
Let us in quick, Miss Edith she
begged. 'Jim's after us with a gun
and he'll sure kill us if he gifts US.
Jim was the good for nothing hus-
band and father. l knew his reputa-
ton and trembled for the poor things
if he got hold of them in one of his
crazy sprees
81 took them into the sitting room
and made them sit down while |
brought them something to eat, for
they had run some distance. They
looked rather foolish and emba.-
raised when they saw me coming into
the room with a tray, but was will
ing to reverse the order of things
for once, because l didn't want any
one else around the house to see
them.
Sheriff Gets Bridegroom.
"When they had rested a bit the
whole pitiful story came out. 1t
seems it was case of a chase all
around. The sheriff was after Brother
Jones, and Jim was after them all.
Brother Jones had come down South
from New York for his health leav-
ing wife and couple of children,
who were daily expecting him back.
They finally decided to hunt him and
wrote to the chief of police inquiring
for him. Brother Jones was by that
time a familiar figure about town.
and the officials knew their man as
soon as they read the description.
The sheriff set out to find him on the
very night of his wedding. 1t must
have been a dramatic moment-a
bride and bridegroom, just tied to-
gether, suddenly torn apart by the
stern hands of the law 1t was too
much for Jim, already half wild with
drink as result of the wedding sup
per, and as very much subdued
Brother Jones went off to spend the
night in the calaboose Jim ran for
his gun, declaring he'd shoot his wife
and eldest daughter if they didn't get
out of his house right quick. Bessie
and her mother made for the open
in haste.
well, we kept them hidden that
night. and the next morning they ven.
tured home to find Jim gone. Broth
er Jones New York wife must have
resigned all claim to him when she
heard about Bessie, for. although he
was put out of the church, the law
never prosecuted him further. It
didn't take Bessie long to be recon-
ciied to him, and Jim, when he re-
covered from his spree, seemed to have
forgotten his murderous chase. Broth
er Jones fall was a great one. In or
der to make living he was Obliged
TO accept an interest in the garbage
business of his father-in-law, and his
dignified figure could be seen for
some time after riding on the slop
wagon, Bessie at his side.
THE first time any of us ever saw
Bessie's future husband was at a
debate in the Zion Church. Harry
and myself were asked to be Judges
and had seats Of honor way I'D front.
Ladies and gentlemen and honor
able judges began Brother Jones
who presided, shall we or shan't we
emmigram to Africa. where the bones
and cinders of our ancestors lies whit
enin' in the san'?'
Brother Jones was an educated
person. l never was in a position he
fore or since where l had such trouble
maintaining the necessary dignity.
After hot discussion the decision
was referred to the honorable
judges, and we told them that Of
course they would have to stay here
because we couldn't possibly get
along without them.
Then they passed the plate around
TO the white folks. They did not
pass 1t to their own congregation. |
reckon they thought it wouldn't be
safe. Each one of them tripped up
tho QiCla To hn L. 4.