The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-11-20
CHAPTER XII-Continued

merriest ever-ever" He held out
both arms, and we all shook hands at
once. and 1 suspect that the bride
elect pressed a chaste kiss upon his
cheek. But Jack, as lawful owner.
could afford to be generous. Jean
took no such liberty. That would
have been different.
The inside Of Spoof's shack was al
ways an example of orderly over
crowding. 1t was full Of useless fur
niture, inappropriate clothing. fire.
arms. saddles and brides. cartridge
belts, smokers equipment, tobacco
tins. photographs, magazines, and an
endless assortment of miscellaneous
knicknacks, all carefully placed and
tended. Even when Spool occupied it
alone it was something of a mystery
where he found space for himself In
the midst of his possessions. But now
Jean and Marjorie and Jack and l
were crowded in as we'll, only to find
a number of others already there.
Our eyes had not yet become accus-
toned to the semi-twilight of the in
terror when a familiar voice saluted
us. Merry Christmas, everybody" 1t
said. Didn't / warn you'se what nd
happen?"
1t was Jake. He was sitting
perched like a toad on the wood-box
where he could expectorate with con
venience into the ashpan of the stove.
We dragged him into the center of the
floor and in the melee that followed
Jake lost his footing and at least three
of US were precipitated with him.
"Oh, save my husband. save my
husband J" cried Bella Donna, in mock
alarm. while Spool gravely remarked
that perhaps the cogitation nut had
come loose.
Il am the minister" said a straight,
clean-looking young man. when the up
roar over Jake had subsidized. my
name is Locke. This is our good
friend Reddy; pardon me-, by the way.
Reddy. what-what is your real name?
i should know it for introduction pur-
poses"
Il left it down East" said the indi-
vidual addressed as Reddy, a slight,
boyish-looking figure with a shock of
carroty hair.
well, Reddy it is. them" said the
minister, and we shook hands all
around. freddy is an important per-
sonage in our town." Mr.. Locke con-
tinued- I'm a n he is my chief
competitor. He runs the village pool
room, and, L am afraid, draws
bigger crowds than 1 do Wednesday
nights, and perhaps on Sundays, too
behind the blinds"
Not guilty" pleaded Reddy. "There
are n 20 blinds on the shop"
Il believe" said the minister, gen
erously, shat Reddy's competition is
of a very honorable kind, and his
presence here today is proof of
his bigness of heart. AS it was
not convenient for his customers to
come TO him, he has come to his Gus
toners. He brings with him, l be-
lieve, a small tray of plain gold bands
and a blank marriage license or two.
] prevailed upon him to bring two or
three extra licenses; it is always well
to be prepared for emergencies" :.
l looked at Spool and found him
looking at me, and then / looked at
Jean and found her looking at the
floor, and a faint flush of color slowly
spread about her face. The fiat re-
ception of the minister's pleasantly
was relieved by Jake, who declared
en- fauar Of q fotoI nnoharnn on tho
marriage license business.
"At least 1t should take as long to
get married as to prove up on a home
stead" Jake remarked, IAN most fell
lows have a lucid interval once in
three years."
When the formalities about the Ii
cense were completed the minister had
Jack and Marjorie stand together in
the center of the shack, and spoke
the few simple words that made them
man and wife under the law. We paid
them the usual ~hackneyed compli-
ments, and then stood around look
ing rather sheepish and wondering
what to do next, until Reddy produced
a box of chocolates and presented it to
the bride. 1t was a simple thing, but
In some way 1t lOosed our tongues, and
presently we were all laughing and
wishing each other Merry Christmas.
By this time the sun had set on the
short December day, and night was
drawing her gray curtains across the
plains. l paid for the license on
Jacks behalf and gave the change to
the minister, and we were about to
thank Spool and say good-by to the lit
tie company when they announced In
concert that they were coming over to
Fourteen. In vain we protested that
the roads were bad, that the night was
settling down, that the sky looked like
a storm. All these perfectly good rea-
sons why they should stay at home
were converted into arguments why
they should come. Spool, as host,
yoked up the oxen and insisted that
he would drive the bridal party; our
jumper would carry five as well as
four. cit was built for two" he ar
gued, $50 one more will make no diff
ference"
Finding that there was nothing else
for it we accepted the inevitable and
crowded in. When we were we'll I'M
der way u attention was suddenly
arrested by a commotion in the rear.
1t was Jake with the flying ants"
and with Bella Donna and the minis
ter and Reddy in his cutter. He was
standing up. waving the loose ends of
the reins about his head. and imprecat-
Ing his horses into a gallop. In a mo-
ment he was upon US.
"Out o. the way, you old married
people," he shouted. II don't blame
you fer goin' slow, but dom hold up