Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-06-02
A WEDDING
FRACAS
By F. A. Mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso.
citation, 1911.

Many years ago took passag,
aboard the steamer Indian Belle from
Cairo to New Orleans. We were about
to swing of when a man Of the rea,
old fashioned ante bellum planter type
came hurrying over the plank and ur
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,
and he stood with mouth and eyes wide
open.
Upon my hono'!' he exclaimed.
Just then negro waiter pa ssed. car.
rying some glasses on 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 disremember yo', cunnel."
"Why. Joe, it was right thar"'-point-
ing-"that l stood to be ma led 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'."
go Gawd! Air yo' de gentleman
what wor married dat day? I wouldn't
a knowed yo'."
BY this time several passengers had
gathered around. ali intent upon the
passenger who had evidently stumbled
on q boat on which he had enacted
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 a fracas
with the event, gentlemen.
I'll give yo' the story, and think un-
beneath the paint and putty can
ind the bullet holes afterwards.
II was living at Memphis at the
time, and If do say it myself I was
The biggest fool in the town. A young
ady-the daughte' Of Majo' Whitman.
one of the most high toned gentlemen
In the south and ve'y influential cit
zen-was silly enough to return an
Affection l conceived TO- he. l neve'
could understand why she did so I'M
ess it was on account of be- youth.
To- she was at the time not quite sew
enteen. The'e's no wonde her ia
he objected to my attentions. To-
lid nothing but drink mint juleps and
,lay the AMERICAN game with young
floods Of my own age.
"Majo' Whitman 1met me one day,
md, says he: William, If l catch 70
oming round my daughte' any mo-
IL squeeze a few chunks O. lead into
o. vitals. If 20 don't want EN- tina
cd bette keep away
"'Majo',' I replied, If 70 do you
ret rid Of one who is enti'ely unwo'thy
# 80 beautiful. accomplished and W.
uous a lady as yo' angelic daughte'.
hood mawning, subj
AT that age. gentlemen, IL a man
> a natural bon fool he has the sense
ot to drag a lady he loves down with
i'm. Besides, the'e's not much to ex-
ect from a young woman ba'ely sew
nteen. But assure 70 It was she
Tho proposed an elopement Thank
eaven, have not that sin on my
onscience. One afternoon when we
zee sitting on the rive bank we saw
steame' coming down. and when
be came opposite US we noticed that
e. name was Indian Belle-this ve'y
oat, gentlemen.
"What did we two little fools do but
make up ou' minds to run away on
e.. I give you my wo'd, gentlemen,
hadn't fou' bits in my pocket. and
be young lady had but three levys
Veil, sub, while the boat was round
ng to head up stream to make land
~ we wee going down to get aboa'd.
1T so happened that a friend Of Ma
o. Whitman saw us 60 Owe the plank.
What did the mis'able sneak do but
o off to find the majo' to tell him
hat his daughte' was going aboa'd the
indian Belle with man whose prin-
ipal occupation was drinking tulips.
nh I;ut it was not till the boat was
'avin" that the maj0' was found.
'&> standing on the quad with my
when saw my prospec
y" f"th"' inlaw coming on the rur
ri %i,,i,,: ont his gun rs be ran
't~> Wl,it,.i"L screamed. and gen
r..:'n >tnn,iing beside Us took In the
tnati"n
"''rhr'r'S no time to iose.' he said.
% must he ,na'icd or pretend to be II
o wish to beat tho old man
'Il~ led us inside. put Il white hand.
e'chirf around h;s neck. stood US IN
har' pnilting-"and made believe he
7as going through the Se'vice His
us mau and wife WAS
rectt.d with bullet that sung just
We my head and huim itself in III.
God. Naturally returned the cOmr!:
tent. directing my vr,,!",u AZ So
lajO'. whose bead WAS JUS, %InNr !,
way. f"tu!lateiy ,.n>>..:
i'm
well, sub. those standing about in
sfe'ed. the supposed bride ran n"d
brew he ans chout he fathp' :n:!
rought him :orntl We soon fond
clergyman aboa'd and wee really
la'ied. Befo' the end If an hou'. sit