The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1913-10-11
A WEDDING
FRACAS
By r. A. Mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911
By r. A. MICHEL

A4AI lEaA0 aG0 00a
aboard the steamer Indian Belle from
Cairo to New Orleans. We were about
to swing of when a man Of the real
old fashioned ate 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,
and he stood with mouth and eyes wide
open.
Upon my honor be exclaimed
Just then a negro waiter passed, car
rying some glasses on a tray.
"And If there isn't Joe too. Why.
Joe. you ~rascally nigge'; yo' don't mean
to tell me yO're alive an on this boati"'
Joe studied the newcomer awhile,
then said. Il disremember yo'. %cunnel."
why. Joe. 1t was right thar"-point-
ing-"that ] stood to be mailed In a
hurry just as this boat was cutting
loose from Memphis On June 20. 1880.
And, Joe, you waited on ms an my
bride at the wedding suppe'."
$50 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 bad enacted a
romance.
Colonel" 1 ventured. would you
mind telling US about it'll"
81 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 I'M
beneath the paint and putty l al
find the bullet holes afterwards.
II was living at Memphis at the
time, and If | do say 1t myself l 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 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 II was on account of he youth.
To- she was at the time not quite sew
enteen. The'e'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 W age.
"Majo' Whitman met me one day.
and, says he: william, If l catch yo'
coming round my daughte' any mo-
I'll squeeze a few chunks o. lead into
yo' vitals. II yo' don't wan EN- tina
yo'd bette keep away.
"sMajo',' / replied. If 20 do yon1
get rid of one who is enti'ely unwo'thy
of SO beautiful, accomplished and VI
tuous a lady as yo' angelic daughte'.
Good mawning. subj
"At that age, gentlemen, IL a man
is a 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 a young woman ba'ely sew
enteen. But / assu'e yo' it was she
who proposed an elopement- han
heaven, / 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 thai
he name was Indian Belle-this ve'y
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 In my pocket, and
the young lady had but three levys
Well. sub, while the boat vas round
ing to head up stream to make a land
ing we wee going down to get aboa'd
sit so happened that a friend or Ma
jo' Whitman saw us go Owe the plank
What did the mis'able sneak do but
go Off to find the majo' to tell him
that his daughte' was going aboa'd the
Indian Belle with a 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 ruI
and Citing out his gun as he ran
Miss Whitman screamed. and a gen
tleman standing beside US took In the
situation.
"aThe'e's no time to lose,' he said
.yo' must b. mailed or pretend to be L
yo' wish to peat the old man
"He led US inside. put a white hand
ke'chief around his neck. stood US NJ
thar'-pointing-'and made believe hs
was going through the se'vice. Hii
pronouncing us man and wife was
greeted with a bullet that sung JUS
owe my head and buried itself In ths
wood. Naturally | returned the compli
ment, directing my weapon at thu
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 ant
threw he AIMS about he fathe' anc
brought him round. We soon found
a clergyman aboa'd and wee really
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