Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-11

arms about Echo's neck, burst into
tears, crying, my little girl"
"What's the use of openin' up the
sluices now, JosephineT
LET her alone, Jim," drawled Slim.
"Her feelin's is narrowed some, an
irrigation is what they needs most"
The outburst Of tears was incompre-
hensible to the bridegroom. Already
irritated by the Mckee incident, be
took affront at the display Of senti-
ment. He cried, II don't want any
crying at my wedding!"
"It's half my wedding" pouted Echo
tearfully.
"Ain't losin' my daughterT sobbed
Mrs. Allen.
"Ain't you getting my mothers sonT'
snapped Jack.
The men howled with glee at the
rude badinage, which only called forth
a fresh burst Of weeping on the part of
Mrs. Allen, In which the girls began to
show symptoms of joining.
Polly sought to soothe the trouble by
pushing Jack playfully to one side and
saying: "Oh, stop 1t all! Look here,
Echo Allen; you know your hair amt
fixed yet"
"!An' the minister due here at any
minute" added Mrs. Allen.
"Come along; we will take charge Of
you now," ordered Polly. The girls
gathered in group about the bride,
bustling and chatting, telling her all
men were brutes at times and, looking
at the fat sheriff, who blushed to the
roots Of his hair at the charge, that
Slim Hoover was the worst Of the
lot. Mrs. Allen pushed them away
and again fell weeping on Echo's
shoulder. "Hold on now. They amt
1 soul goin' to no nothin' for her except
her mother" she whinpered.
"There she goes again." said Jack in
discr,.
'Ii, goin' to take my child away
from me-" walled the mother.
Tears were streaming down Echo's
cheek. Don't cry, mother" she wept.
mo, no, don't cry" echoed the girls.
"It's all for the best" began Polly.
"It's all for the best; it's all for the
best" chorused the group.
"Well, I'll be- gasped Jack.
"Jack Payson. you just ought to be
ashamed of yourself" said Polly.
stamping her foot. "You nasty, mean
old thing! she threw in for good
measure.
Mrs. Allen led Echo from the room.
The girls followed, crying. "You nasty,
mean old thing" to the unfortunate
bridegroom.
The cowboys enjoyed the scene i'm
mensely. 1t was bit of human come
dy totally unexpected. First they
initiated the weeping women and then
laughed uproariously at Jack.
"Did you ever see such darned car
ryings on?" said the bridegroom In
disgust. What have dOne?"
"Shucks! All mothers is just like
that remarked Allen sympathetically.
'"They fuss If their girls marry. an
they fuss If they don't. Why, my ma
carried on somethin' scandalous when
Josephine roped me-"
All Of the men chuckled except Jack.
"I'm appointed committee" con-
tined the old rancher, "to sit up with
you till the fatal moment"
"I'm game" responded Jack grimly.
81 know what's coming, but I won't
squeal."
you'll git all that's a-comin' to
you," grlnned Allen.
Slim had maneuvered until he
reached the door. blocking Jacks way.
AS the bridegroom started to leave the
room he took his hand and with an
assumption Of deep detection and sor-
row bade him "Goodby."
"Oh, dry up" laughed Jack. pushing
the sheriff aside. Hating, he request
ed, Zone thing | want to understand
right now-if you're going to fling any
old boots after me remove the spurs"
"This here's sure enough event,
an I'm gOin' to tap the barrel an
throw away the bung. Vow" shout
ed Sagebrush.