The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1911-06-23
A WEDDING
FRACAS
By F. A. Mitchell
By F. A. mitchell.
Copyright by American Press Asso.
citation, 1911.

aboard the steamer Indian Belle from
Cairo to New Orleans. We were about
to swing OF when a man Of the real
old fashioned ante bellum planter type
came hurrying over the plank and up
into the forward saloon, where I hap
pened to be standing at the time.
Reaching the top Of the companion
way, his eyes caught the name Of the
boat, which was painted on q panel,
and be stood with mouth and eyes wide
open. H..
upon my hono'w he exclaimed.
Just then a negro waiter passed, car
rying some glasses on q tray.
."And II there isn't Joe too! Why,
Joe, you rascally nigge'; yo' don't mean
to tell me yo're alive an on this boat!'
Joe studied the newcomer awhile,
then said, Il d~isremember 20, cunnel.''
why, Joe, it was right thar"-point.
ing-'that I stood to be mated in a
hurry just as this boat was cutting
loose from Memphis on June 20, 1860.
And, Joe, you waited on me an my
bride at the wedding suppe'."
"Fo' Gawd! Air 20 de gentleman
what wor married dat day? I wouldn't
"a knowed yo'."
By this time several passengers had
gathered around, all intent upon the
passenger who had evidently stumbled
on a boat on which he had enacted q
romance.
Colonel" I ventured, would you
mind telling US about it,"
II shall be ve'y happy to do so, sab"
was the reply. thee was a fracas
connected with the event, gentlemen.
I'll give yo' the story, and l think uu-
de'neath the paint and putty l ca.
find the bullet holes afterwards.
II was living at Memphis at the
time, and If I do say it myself I was
the biggest fool in the town. Ayoung
lady-the daughte' Of Majo' Whitman,
one Of the most high toned gentlemen
in the south and u ve'y influential cit.
izen-was silly enough to return an
affection / conceived TO- he. I neve'
could understand why she did so ul-
less it was on account Of he youth.
TO- she was at the time not quite sew
enteen. The'e's no wonde' her To-
the objected to my attentions, To- l
did nothing but drink mint juleps and
play the American game with young
bloods of my own age.
"Majo' Whitman met me n day,
and, says he: William, II I catch yo'
coming round my daughte' any mo-
Ill squeeze a few chunks O. lead into
20 vitals. If 20 don't want EN- tina
yo'd bette keep away
"'Majo',' 1 replied, If 20 do yo'l
get rid Of one who is enti'ely unwo'thy
Of so beautiful. accomplished and VII
tuous a lady as yo' angelic daughte'.
Good nawning. suh.'
"At that age, gentlemen, Il a maj
is q natural bon fool he has the sense
not to drag a lady he loves down with
him. Besides. the'e's not much to ex-
pect from q young woman ba'ely sew
enteen. But l assu'e yo' It was she
who proposed an elopement. Thank
heaven. I have not that sin on my
conscience. One Afternoon when we
wee sitting on the rive bank we saw
a steame' coming down. and when
she came opposite us we noticed that
he name was Indian Belle-this ve'y
boat, gentlemen.
"yvhat did we two little fools do but
make up ou' minds to run away On
he. 1 give you my wo'd. gentlemen,
1 hadn't fou' bits in my pocket, and
the young lady had but three levys.
Well. sub, while the boat was round
ing to head up stream to make a land
ing we wee going down to get aboa'd.
ut so happened that a friend Of Ma
TO- Whitman saw US 60 ove' the plank.
What did the mis'able sneak do but
20 of to fnd the majo' to tell him
that bis daughte' was going aboa'd the
Indian Belle with q man whose prin.
cipal occupation was drinking julips.
sub. But 1t was not til the boat was
leaving that the majo' was found !
was standing on the quad with my
swesthea't when l. raw my prospec.
i've fathe'-in-law coming on the run
and citing ont his tunfsas hssrab:
Mis1 Nhtmahs scrsaupse9. and = gen.
tleaflEaftAS6satng bssids % took In the
situation.
= sEhe's's no time DO lose.' b sat6.
.y0Tntusebe mated Or pretend to be II
20 wish to beetsths ola man
HE led % inside, put . white hand