Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-06-24

Sc Wedding. ''' : 1oa'
''Oh, Jean, why not make 1t tonightr
] whispered, mad with her beauty and
her nearness
"It's quite impossible" she answered,
but she did not Immediately withdraw
her hand. She left me marveling
more and more over the tantalizing
complexity of her attitude toward me.
Fortunately, the interest of those
about us had been quickly rearrested
by Jake. "Havin' little weakness O
my own" Jake was continuing. "al-
though never said nothin' about 1t,
not wishing to start a scene with
Bella Donna, / bought its mate fer
the lady on Fourteen" And with this
little speech he placed another pend
ant in the hands Of Marjorie.
"When came to Canada to farm"
said Spool, after the excitement over
Jake's gift had died down, Il came
equipped for everything but farming.
! could have started secondhand
store, a curiosity shop, an arsenal, or a
music hall much better than | could
start q farm. In fact, ] feel like all
of these things, except, perhaps, the
music hall, when / look around my
shack. Particularly well was ]
equipped against sayages, grizzly bears,
and mountain lions. I remember the
days I spent In picking out my rifles,
weighing the qualities Of this arm and
that, and the penetrating power OF the
different bullets. My biggest game SO
far has been q badger, whose hide
now adorns the den of my immediate
and admiring ancestor. Out of the
abundance Of my defenses now bring
to you, John Lane, this piece Of artil-
lery, with the injunction that it must
never be pointed toward section Two,
and, preferably, not at anything else.
Hang it over your portal, as evidence
that you can be desperate man upon
been thoughtful enough not to bring
any ammunition" Spool then pro-
duced, out Of the bedroom where
Brown, acting as his agent, had Sc
cretly cached 1t, a repeating rifle,
which Jack handled with as much ad-
miration as Marjorie spent on her
pendant and then placed it lovingly
away.
snow I believe that's ALL" said
Spool.
"Not yet" Reddy interrupted. II
want to be in on this, although didn't
come prepared" He had written
something In notebook, which he
now tore out and handed to Jack. 1t
was q receipt for the price Of his we'd
ding ring. Jack protested, but Reddy
would have it no other way.
The only one not represented by a
presentation was the minister, but he
proved equal to the occasion.
my children" he said-he was not
much older than Jack or /, perhaps
about the age of Spoof-"I am not q
man Of the world, and consequently
cannot give you of the good things
which the world provides. The theory
that q minister should lay up his
treasure In heaven Is taken rather lit.
orally In these times. ! am not guar.
reling with that Materialism Is the
murderous outlaw of the age. an en-
envy that goes bullying through the
land, outraging our finer natures. over
turning our ideals. polluting our am
billions. ] hope ! am not envious OF
his followers. And to you, give
something that money could not buy
my blessing, with a promise Of my
ministrations, without charge, on those
future occasions upon which 1t may
be assumed you will be in need OF
them"
The minister had escaped from q
somewhat embarrassing position with
the dignity that became his calling
and with gentle joke that showed
how very human he was at heart.
"Clear out the pork and the seed
wheat" Spool ordered, as there
seemed likely to be luIl in the nights
enjoyment. sole, 1t is fortunate thai
Mrs. Burke persuaded you not to bring
In your load Of hay"
So the floor was cleared. The door
when opened, revealed a wedge Of
snowstorm whistling by, but inside the
wintry weather was forgotten and the
tremor of our shanty's timbers passed
unnoticed. Reddy had mounted him
self on oursow table-ths big one hat
been taken out In pieces-and wal
twisting the strings Of violin to tune
Presently his bow cut loose q drone
Of dancing rhythm. and feet began tt
tap the plain pine boards Of the floor
"Pardners allr Jake commanded
It was evident he was to be master
Of ceremonies; he had just taken q
great chew Of tobacco to promote the
low Of language. The insistent note
Of the violin brought JACK and me