Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
Having Started for the We'd
ding as Best Man, Joseph Felt
Relieved Forever of the Men
ace Of Matrirnony and Sepia,
But ->

cured license for his own marriage
Ito the pugnacious Sepia!
Blissfully ignorant or this angle 81
the affair, he whistled about his work
during the afternoon. When closing
time came, the burly bridegroom had
not vet returned from the journey t.
Mulga, and so Joseph went home and
busted himself with modest sartoriai
arrangements.
He CARRIED himself In manner befit
ting so important a member of The
Sons and Daughters Of Will Arise
Across the bosom Of decidedly shiny
evening garment he draped a sash Of
azure satin. and on his bullet head he
perched q plumed hat Beneath the
sash was sword belt, and from the
belt was suspended q cleaning scab'
bard.
Sis CalIie Flukers' boarding house
where Sepia was a star but critical
boarder-was a hive OF expectant mer,
riment when the elegant Mr.. Hankef
arrived, Friends Of the bride were
gathering to- celebrate, and friends OF
the groom were arriving to mourn.
The dynamic little minister-the Rev.
end Plato Tubb--was there, scurrying
in and out of the downstairs rooms
like q hen searching for a lost mick.
the chatter-as he voiced the query
which most keenly interested the
guests,
Where Odessy Brown is att"
The bridegroom was yet conspicu-
Gus by his absence, and word of his
possible detection reached the ears of
the eager and positive bride.
'Odessy amt heah! explained the
Rev'end Tubb.
what's that?" Sepia rose largely
from her chair. dislodging one of her
bridesmaids. Where at is that wuth-
less cullud mani" -
II dunno. Miss Wilson. Florian
Slappey was bettin' even money that
he had walked out on you.
The brides counfenance purpled
He'd better not-else a murder is
gwine sneak up on him an happen. !"
But sho'ly''
Listen at me!' Sepia wrapped mus
cular fingers around the unformidable
biceps OF the Reviend Plato Tubb. II
is all set to git ma'ied tonight. i got
the guess heah, an got the eat.
nents fixed. An If that no. count,
big.footed, none-thinkin' imitation Of
a turkey buzzard don't show up pretty
quick, Ise gwine fetch him."
\ The Rev'end Tubb ducked.
'Golly. Sepiar-you sho'ly does take
ma'iage serious"
Serious is right An II he ain't
heah pretty quick"
She ceased. From the front porch
came the roar of hoarse and uncul-
tivated basso. The voice was undoubt-
eddy the property or Odessy Brown,
the tune was that of the wedding
march, the words were appropriately
extemporaneous:
'Heah comes the groom,
Heah comes the groom;
Sweet firm mackeral!
Look out fo' the groom!"
Sepia's face broadened into q smile
Of relief.
'sTha's him." she announced posi-
lively. An he suttinly stahted cele-
bratin' befo' he come"
The Rev'end Tubb passed through
the door and into the beflowered par
lor. Standing just inside was the Gar
gantuan figure of the bridegroom
His eyes were unnaturaIly large and
somewhat CLASSY. His feet were
planted firmly. but the huge body
swayed q trifie. Odessy eyed the
preacher hostilely. sag
Well" said he. "Heah's me.'
''Uh-huh., So you Is. Us thought
you wasn't comm" s
Swell chance I'd OF had gittans
TIL do It. Even may'yin, Sepia- "
Good. Is you ready7'
Odessy's teeth clicked brayely.
Ring the gong!" Then he searched
through the assenblage. Anybody
heah seen Joseph Hanker?'a u
An important, pIume.topped figure
wriggled through the mass Of guests.