Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-06-10

were crowded In as Well, only 70 uuu
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
u.s. Merry Christmas. everybody" 1t
said. Didn't warn you'se what 'ud
happen?
1t was Jake. He was sitting
| perched like 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!" cried Bella Donna, in mock
alarm. while Spool gravely remarked
that perhaps the cogitation nut had
| come loose.
II am the minister" said 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?
/ should know it for introduction pur-
poses"
IT left it down East" said the indi-
vidual addressed as Reddy, a slight,
boyish-looking figure with a shock Of
carroty hair.
swell. Reddy 1t 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 sense he is my chief
competitor. He runs the village pool
room, and, I am afraid, draws
bigger crowds than ! do Wednesday
nights, and perhaps on Sundays, too
behind the blinds"
| "Not guilty" pleaded Reddy. '"There
are no blinds on the shop"
Il believe" said the minister, gen.
erously, "that Reddy's competition Is
of 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, be-
lieve, a small tray Of plain gold bands
and blank marriage license or two.
I prevailed upon him to bring two or
three extra licenses; 1t is always well
to be prepared for emergencies"
l looked at Spool and found him
looking at me, and then I looked at
Jean and found her looking at the
floor, and faint flush of color slowly
spread about her face. The fiat re.
ception Of the minister's pleasantly
was relieved by Jake, who declared
In favor of total embargo on the
marriage license business.
"At least 1t should take as long tC
get married as to prove up on home
stead" Jake remarked, "an' most fel
lows have a lucid interval once ir
three years."
When the formalities about the II
cense were completed the minister ha(
Jack and Marjorie stand together i1
the center of the shack, and spoke
the few simple words that made then
man and wife under the law. We pai(
them the usual hackneyed compli
|
ing rather sheepish and wonderin.
what to do next. until Reddy produced
box of chocolates and presented it t,
the bride. 1t was simple thing, blu
In some way 1t loosed our tongues, AM
presently we were all laughing an,
wishing each other Merry Christmas
By this time the sun had set on tn
short December day, and night wa
drawing her gray curtains across tn
plains paid for the license Of
Jacks behalf and gave the change t
; the minister, and we were about t
thank Spool and say good-by to the lii
tie company when they announced i
concert that they were coming over t
Fourteen In vain we protested tina
the roads were bad, that the night wa
settling down, that the sky looked Xix
a storm. All these perfectly good res
sons why they should stay at HON
. were converted into arguments VIII
: they should come. Spool. as hos
yoked up the oxen and insisted tina
.. he would drive the bridal party; on
Jumper would carry five as well q
four. st was built for two" he al
:. gued, 80 one more will make no di1
!. ference%
Finding that there was nothing els
for 1t we accepted the inevitable an
crowded In. When we were well VI
der way our attention was suddenl
!, arrested by commotion In the real
It was Jake with the flying ants,
and with Bella Donna and the mini!
, ter and Reddy In his cutter. He wa
= standing up. waving the loose ends 9
; the reins about his head, and impreca
' Ing his horses into gallop. In m'
E ment he was upon US.
I, "Out o. the way. you old marie
z people," he shouted 81 don't bian
e you fer goin' slow. but don hold U
z the procession"
!, But Spool had no intention that tt
n bride and groom should surrender tt
e place of honor. With many strans
b adjectives he goaded the oxen, an
, prosnntlv noted slight accelerate