Crittenden record-press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1909-191?, 1913-02-13

tenances; across on the Illinois shore
great forest trees stood thick and tall,
their many-tinted autumn leaves glist-
ening with silvery moonbeams; while
little back from the river, hid within
the thick foliage of large OAK, a
hoot-owl was inquiring solemnly of his
mate, 'Who-who- is it?' No an
swer seemed to be forthcoming, and
as | looked farther down the river, tn
huge cliffs of Cave-in-kock rose grim
and high, frowning across at the Ken
lucky shore; while over the entrance
of the cave, and above high-water
mark, were imense letters, visible even
at this distance letters which seemed
10 have been carved into the huge,
rough stones by some freak of nature,
and stretched out across the entire
length Of the lift. | spelled over, in
my mind, the huge letters from west
to east, divided them into syllables and
words, and finally formulated the
smooth Z DIN g sentense. USE ST.
JACOBS OIL. Even nature itself,
| reflected. seems to be in sympathy
with me; and, as / once more spelled
over, in my mind, the mysterious let
tiers, repeated, also in my mind, the
easily-articulated sentence, pondered
on the unexpected advice and realizen
its significance, | could but wish that |
had a bottle of st. jacobs, that
might try it, as intoxicating agent,
on my knees, which were becoming
stiff and achey from over-much eXer
else. Just then Neil touched mt
lightly on the arm.
'Zebulum, she said, playfully
hadn't you better wait till another
time to study astronomy, or geology
or hieroglyphics, or pharmaceutics, oil
Therapeutics, or such other fascinating
sciences? Have you forgotten that
we were about to get married? Broth
err NARROW is waiting
II had thought that had been un
observed but, from Nells jaw-break-
ing remarks, | knew the SLY little
rogue had been watching me while
was trying to decipher those perplex'
ing and notwithstanding symbols on
the cave and had out-stripped me in
mentally figuring out and reaching a
solution as to their meaning.
"'No, Nell l replied, 4 haven't
forgotten about it. l thought about
that exhilarating subject all the way
from Marion to Fords Ferry, and as
she sat there by my side I could hard
" keep from stealing a kiss, right
there before Brother NARROW.
Brother NARROW took the license,
unfolded the paper and read it aloud,
beginning where it said this certifies
that Zebulum and Nell, aged so and so,
are authorized to be joined in holy
wedlock, and read on through to the
signature, Berry S. Young, county
clerk. The minister then got down
on his knees on the bottom of the skiff,
motioned for Nell and me to do the
same; then offered a prayer to the
Ruler of all our destinies, for His
blessings on US, for His guidance, for
happy and successful life, for a
peaceful exit from this faith-trying,
devil possessed world and for a safe
landing upon the shining shores of the
dark river we all must, sooner or later,
cross. There, upon our knees, while
the little boat drifted at will down the
calm smooth waters, skimmering in
silvery moonbeams, and the stars
twinkling over our heads, Brother
NARROW said the few words that made
Nell and me husband and wife,.
"We were married. Nell, bless her
heart, was my wife. We were out up
on lifes river, as well as the big Ohio.
drifting we knew not where, but we
knew we were widening the distance
between US and the home we both low
ed, leaving behind MS an unenviable
name for one of us-the name well
known as the scoundrel who struck
Bobby Broadway.
"It seems real funny to get married,
doesn't it, Zeb,?' spoke up Nell, inter
rupting my meditations.
"Yes, it does, Nell, when we get
down to looking at it from the right
view point l replied; and just to
! think