The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-09-02

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Huh! You're so oldsthat you'll make
boggle of it, . julie discouraged her sister.
Besides, Settle hisself plays"
As the time drew near for the wedding,
Ma worried over everything. And Opal
was grateful to Sophie, who turned all their
simple household plans into pleasing results,
bringing order out of chaos.
Il never saw two such feather-heads,"
complained her mother one day, after
vainly trying to interest Opal and Seton in
the superiority Of rented chairs over their
own old ones. "They amt got no idee of
the vital things of life. They don't care
whether their weddin' is swell or not
On Opal's wedding morning the April sky
bent perfect arch of blue above the Flick
myers humble home, and the sun shone
brightly through the snowy curtains. Inside
the house unwonted neatness reigned and the
plain little rooms were made attractive with
tastefully arranged flowers and house plants.
Two long tables in the sitting-room were
covered with white cloths and set with the
best dishes of all the family, and frightened
by bouquets of forget-me-nots and lilies of
the valley in inexpensive vases that sparkled
in honest emulation of cut glass.
And Ma 4Flickinger in her black silk
dress and starched white apron was so over
awed by the occasion as to be almost I'M
mindful of her new gown, yet because of it
enjoying herself all the more
The ceremony was to be performed at
noon by the Rev Wilbur Strang, chiefly
because Ma Fickinger thought him to be
less formidable socially than any other
minister in town.
The guests had come, and the house was
a-buzz with quiet conversation Jed looked
almost as happy as if he himself were going
to be married Pa Flickinger, as unhur-
ried as usual, was agreeably conscious of his
new suit. Opal, upstairs, with Sophie, had
on her pretty white dress. And Seton
Woods and his father and mother had been
there for hours. But the Rev. Wilbur
Strang had not arrived.
It's seventeen minutes after twelve and
the minister amt here yit," cried Ma ex-
citedly to Pa in the kitchen. Whatever
does that mean9
81 didn't expect Rev. Strang to git
here on time-or to do it right when he did
git here complained julie, who wore an
elaborate waist of cheesecloth adorned with
cascades of crocheted lace, which she her
self had made for the occasion.
As&he kitchen clock solemnly measured
off the time, Ma Flicainger became more
and more wrought up. II knowed that
Opal ought not to marry Settle Woods, but
l was teased over. And I'm goin' to call
this weddin' off, she hastily decided.
"Send Opal and Settle. in here"
The family, astonished and alarmed at
Mas awful resolution to stop the wedding,
crowded into the small kitchen after Opal
moned, Bill carefully shutting the door.
"Call it off, echoed Seton Woods in
amazement. Wen get another minister.
z What do we care who marries us2
That's the stuff" approved Pa, who,
though taking no initiative in the matter of
getting minister there, could admire it in
some one else.
They looked at Opal, who, radiant with
quiet happiness, was for once completely
impervious to her mother sinfluence, and at
; Seton Woods, undaunted and determined,
and they knew that he would let nothing
stand in the way Of the marriage.
"Opal don't need no backbone" re-
marked julie suddenly, as if speaking to
. herself, "seein' Settles got SO much Of it.
He'll take care of Opal
'eWho said he Wouldn't" glared Ma
turning angrily on julie. "But the weddin
, dinner, do you folks think that can wait
, till doomsday?"
, Then let's eat it now and get married
afterwards, offered her future son-in-law
: with fine disregard of convention.
1T can't be did, refused Ma firmly.
/ want expectin' nothin' but mix-uE
, if you got Rev. Strang," observed julie witt
, gloomy delight
! And how does the folks in the from
room feel?" complained Ma And whc
knows but what they're maxim slightin
{ remarks Of every 'tarnal thing in sight. !
Rev. Strang does come now, this here della,
!. has took away all the solemnness tina
oughter go alongside weddin'. Pa, VIII,
: don't you do somethin'?"
J. "What can teller do but waltz askei
L Pa philosophically. Jed's out Row in Nj
s Peyton's automobile a-scourin' the tw
! towns for minister. Keep cool, old VIC
2 man. They'll run down summatl'
: We want to stand dup" teased Janice
t We want to stand dup, whimpere
!, Jasper, her twin.
"Land o. liun,' julie. cuff them twinss
st OF they'll drive me daft.
a. They was promised to stand up wit
i, Opal, and they naturally wants to dc it,
claimed julie aggrievedly.