The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1915-10-21
Marriage by
Movie
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

were counting Saturday afternoon
when there was rap Mt the door, and,
the summons being answered by Ma
hulda, she saw a man with camera.
beg pardon" said the man. II am
working for dim company. have
number Of one reel scenarios, and I am
travelling through the country putting
them into films. the parts being taken
by the persons In the places where
locate the plays. want a young man
and girl to take the part of pair of
lovers. Can you accommodate me?"
When this was put into language
that she could understand she went
in to interview Josh on the subject
He had been trying for months to
screw up his courage to propose to Ma.
hulda. but thus far had failed. The
idea Of posing as a lover for q movie
took him fat aback. but Mahulda was
pleased.
The play was one Of rustic simplici-
ty. needing only Josh. Mahulda, her
mother, her little brothers and sisters
and dog. 1t was not long before the
machinery attached to the camera was
buzzing. and Josh and Mahulda, stand
Ing on opposite sides Of the gate. were
being photographed for the first scene.
One Of the film men stood by telling
them Just what to do. He directed
Josh to try to feel like a lover. talk
like lover and act like a lover. Ma
hulda he instructed to draw continual
~ nearer to Josh until her lips were
very near his.
When the two pairs of lips were but
couple of inches apart the instructor
intended to keep them there for awhile
for expectancy, but Josh could not
stand SO fragrant temptation and
brought on a climax too soon. The re.
suit was that it all had to be done over
again. This time Josh didn't do any
better than before, and the photogra.
pher excused him from another at
tempt. though Josh was quite willing
and said he thought lie could 'git the
hang Of it after awhile"
After several unimportant scenes had
been filmed Josh and Mahulda were
seated on bench just outside the
kitchen door, stealing love passages in
which kisses pretlominated. The chill
dren We're playing about them. and the
camera party came in when they were
not looking. The last of this scene pic
ture showed Mahulda's mother stealing
upon the couple to satisfy herself thai
the engagement was about to take
place.
Then Josh was pictured mounted anl
about to ride away somewhere. Be
fore leaving he bent down and tool
another kiss. He rode down the turn
pike only short distance. and whel
he returned one Of the film party was
sitting by Mahulda. the two being pho
tographed in love passage. Josh was
told to ride into the field Of view. speak
few angry words and ride away in
high dudgeon. But so angry was he
at seeing man in his place beside his
girl that he threw himself from his
horse and. Selling his dramatic rival
by the collar. hustled him away. the
latter part Of the film showing his boot
applied to the film mans person.
The picture men. far from being an
CRY ut this. were delighted. declaring
that it would make great hit. Josh.
having vented his ire satisfactorily,
was ready to make up with AIahulda;
who reminded him that it was al,
make believe. and the reconciliation
was performed to the perfect satisfac-
zion of the film men. A scene was
then introduced wherein Josh's dra-
slatic rival was seen lurking about the
place. Josh from the house let 80
Watch. the four legged protector Of
the farm, who made bee line for the
Intruder. the latter making Tor +he
gate. There was no time to open Ii.
and the man jumped over 1t, leaving
the seat Of his trousers between
Watch's teeth.
The final scene was wedding be-
tween Josh and Mahulda. The bride
was bound to have some sort Of wed
ding outfit, and her mother got out
her own bridal dress and veil. which
her daughter put on. Then one of the
film men tied a white handkerchief
about his neck to represent clergy
man. and the couple stood before him.
The children were grouped about look
ing up at them with childish curiosity,
and by this time number of neigh
bors. having collected to see what was
going on. We're placed at the door and
windows. The ceremony having been
performed. the make believe clergy
man bent forward to kiss the bride,
but Josh interposed his horny hand
and took the kiss himself.
This ended the play. The film men
thanked the company for their serv-
ices and, gathering up their traps. took
their departure. As soon as they had
gone Josh said:
"Take off them things. Mahulda. and
come right along home with me-"
"Not much" replied Mahulda.
"Why, amt we married.
Married! Why, that was only make
believe for the men to photograph"
"Well, I'll be darned! How long IL It
take for us to be married reely?'
Married! We amt engaged yet"
'Great Scott! How long III it take
to be engaged?'