Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1911-06-02
I WEDDING ! y. /: |.
FRACAS ! !.
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso.
S .,@s ciati0a,E 1911. 49,,

>"AssAAS . Q090A80
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 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.I
and he stood with mouth and eyes wideI
open.
Upon my homo" he exclaimed.
Just then negro waiter passed, car.
rying some glasses on tray.
And if there isn't Joe too! Why,
Joe. you rascally nigge'; yo' don't meant
to tell me yo're alive an on this boatl''
Joe studied the newcomer awhile,
then said, Il disremember yo', cunnel."
'Why, Joe, it was right thar"-point-
ing-"that l stood to be mated in q
hurry just as this boat was cutting
loose from Memphis on June 20, 1850.
And, Joe, you waited on me an my
bride at the wedding suppe'."
$50 Gawd! Air yo' de gentleman
what wor married dat day? wouldn't
"a knowed yo'." -, a
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?'
II shall be ve'y happy to do so, sah,"
was the reply. ''The'e was fracas
connected with the event, gentlemen.
III give yo' the story, and think un-:
beneath the paint and putty I 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 ve'y influential cit
izen-was silly enough to return an
affection I conceived TO- he. neve'
could understand why she did so I'M
less it was on account Of be- youth.
TO she was at the time not quite sew
enteen. The'e's no wonde' her "a
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 a few chunks O. lead into
! yo' vitals. If yo' don't want EN- tina,
'S& A Rs}5{' re ERs5 aE1{ If 20 do vol,
get rid of one who is enti'ely unwo'thy
Of so beautiful, accomplished and W.
tuous a 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 a young woman ba'ely sew
enteen. But l assure yo' 1t was she
| who proposed an elopement~ Thank
heaven, have not that sin on my
conscience One afternoon when we
| wee sitting on the rive bank we saw
q steamc coming down, and when
she came opposite US we noticed that
boat, gentlemen.
"What did we two little fools do but
make up ou' minds to run away on
he. I give you my wo'd, gentlemen,
I 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 land
ing we wee going down to get aboa'd.
ut so happened that friend of Ma
| TO- Whitman saw us go ove' the plank.
! What did the mis'able sneak do but
20 off to find the majo' to tell him
that his daughte' was going aboa'd the
Indian Belle with a man whose prin
ctpal occupation was drinking julips.
| sub, But it was not till the boat was
leaving that the majo' was found. 1
was standing on the quad with my
sweetheart when I saw my prospec-
| tive fathe' -in-law coming on the run
and Citing out his gun as he ran.
| Miss Whitman screamed, and gen.
| tleman standing beside US took in the
| oAtudt1Ou
"The'es no time to lose,' he said,
'yo' must be mated or pretend to be If
20 wish to beat the old man.
HE led US inside, put white hand
ke'chief around his neck, stood us up
thar"-pointing- 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 I returned the compl1
ment, directing my weapon at the1
| 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
|