The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-06-01
A WEDDING
FRACAS
By F. A. Mitchell
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation. 1911
BY F. A. Mitchell

to swing off when man of the real
old fashioned ante bellum planter type
came hurrying over the plank and up
into the forward saloon. where 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 a panel
open.
Upon my honor he exclaimed
Just then a negro waiter passed. ear
rying some glasses on tray.
'And if there isn't Joe too. Why.
Joe, you rascally nigge'; 20 don't mean
to tell me yo're alive an on this boatr"
Joe studied the newcomer awhile,
then said. Il disremember yo' cunnel."
why. Joe. it was right thar"-point-
ing-.'that 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'"
20 Gawd. Air yo' de gentleman
what wor married dat day? 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 a
romance
Colonel" ventured would you
mind telling US about it?''
Il shall be ve'y happy to do so. sah."
was the reply. Thee was a fracas
connected with the event, gentlemen.
I'll give yo' the story. and think un-
beneath the paint and putty can
find the bullet holes afterwards.
II was living at Memphis at the
time, and if do say it myself / was
the biggest fool in the town A young
lady-the daughte' of Majo' Whitman.
one of the most high toned gentlemen
in the south and a ve'y influential cit
izen-was silly enough to return an
affection ! conceived fO' he. neve'
could understand why she did so I'M
less it was on account of he youth.
TO she was at the time not quite sew
enteen Thee's no wonde' her ia
the objected to my attentions. TO
did nothing but drink mint juleps and
play the American game with young
bloods of my own age.
"Majo' Whitman met me one day.
and, says he: William. if catch yo'
coming round my daughte' any mo-
I'll squeeze few chunks o lead into
yo' vitals. If yo' don't want EN- tina
yo'd bette keep away
"'Majo',' | replied, If yo' do YOU
get rid of one who is enti'ely unworthy
of so beautiful. accomplished and vi
tuous lady as yo' angelic daughte'
Good mawning. subj
''At that age. gentlemen. If man
is natural bon fool he has the sense
not to drag lady he loves down with
him. Besides. the'e's not much to ex
pect from young woman ba'ely sew
enteen. But 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'v
boat. gentlemen.
"What did we two little fools do but
make up ou' minds to run away on
he. / give you my wo'd. gentlemen.
l hadn't fou' bits lin my pocket. and
the young lady had but three levys.
Well, sub. while the boat was round
ing to head up stream to make land
ing we wee going down to get aboa'd,
.It so happened that friend Of Ma
jo' Whitman saw us go Owe the plank.
What did the misabe sneak do but
go off to find the majo' to tell him
that his daughte' was going aboa'd the
Indian Belle with man whose prin-
cipal occupation was drinking julips.
sub. But it was not till the boat was
leaving that the majo was found
was standing on the quad with my
sweetheart when | saw my prospec
tive fathe'-in-law coming on the run
and Citing ont his gun as he ran
Miss Whitman screamed and a gen.
tleman standing beside US took in the
situation
1uc , no time " iOSc. uC Sd-u.
'yo' must be mated or pretend to be ii
yo' wish to beat the old man.
He led us inside, put white hand
ke'chief around his neck, stood us up
thar" pointing and made believe he
was going through the se'vice. His
pronouncing US man and wife was
greeted with bullet that sung Just
Owe my head and bu'ied itself in the
wood Naturally returned the compli
ment, directing my weapon at the
majo', whose head was just above the
companion way. fortunately missing
him.
well, sub. those standing about in
te'fe'ed, the supposed bride ran and
threw he' ANS about he fathe' and
brought him round. We soon found
clergyman aboa'd and wee really
mated Befo the end of an hou'. sit
ting round table in the ladies' cabin
at suppe'. the majo' with a julep befo'
him, had one am around my neck and
TIL othe round that of his daughte'. and
that rascal Joe thar was waiting on us.
The gentleman then proceeded to
search for the bullet holes and found
them
''Does any one here know who the
4 - rsrx IS