An Incident of the Nineteenth Century--Romantic Elopement on an ox sled.
--The Detroit Free Press relates the following, for the truth of which it vouches, but we don't: An ox team attached to a lumber sled, and bearing astride its cross-beams a coarse- grained young man and a buxom girl of about eighteen, Dragged its slow length along Larned street yesterday, and halted in front of
Justice Purdy's office.
The couple dismounted and entered the office, where they made known their wishes, and requested to be married immediately.
The expectant bridegroom said he had come to town with a load of produce for his employer, who owned the team, and as Susan wanted to buy a kaliker dress, he had brought her along on the top of the bags.
On the way in they had talked the matter over, and in view of the fact that they sorter liked each other, and had done considerable courtin' on the sly, concluded to get married.
They declared themselves of age, and took the bonds for better or for worse.
The bridegroom was very much elated, and kissed the bride an unreasonable number of times.
Then he requested the
Court to kiss her, and even went so far as to intimate that all respectable persons among the spectators might enjoy the same privilege.
He was especially elated on the newspaper question.
‘"Put 'er in,"’ he said, in a reckless manner.
‘"Put 'er in the paper and make Susan's name all capitals.--I'll pay for big letters.
What's the use in getting married to a putty gal unless you can get it in the papers? "’ In the midst of this jubilation the thought of the old man struck him, and he sobered down as though a shower bath had fallen on his head.
‘"Come, Susan,"’ he said, taking her hand, ‘"let's go home and see it out.
Lord!
won't he be mad?"’ And he drew a sigh and switched up the cattle, whose slow gait seemed all too fast for his palpitating hopes and fears.
