Two Fares East
CHAPTER I: WEDDING NIGHT
The ranch-house of Uncle Hozie Wheeler’s Flying H outfit was ablaze withlight. Two lanterns were suspended on the wide veranda which almostencircled the rambling old house; lanterns were hanging from the corralfence, where already many saddle-horses and buggy teams were tied.Lanterns hung within the big stable and there was a lantern suspended tothe crosstree of the big estate.
It was a big night at the Flying H. One of the stalls in the stable waspiled full of a miscellaneous collection of empty five-gallon cans,cow-bells, shotguns; in fact, every kind of a noise-maker common to thecattle country was ready for the final words of the minister. For thiswas to be the biggest shivaree ever pulled off on the Tumbling Riverrange.
Inside the living-room was the assembled company, sitting stiffly aroundthe room, more than conscious of the fact that they were all dressed up.Old gray-bearded cattlemen, munching away at their tobacco; old ladies,dressed in all the finery at their limited command; cowboys,uncomfortable in celluloid collars and store clothes; old Uncle Hozie,red of face, grinning at everybody and swearing under his breath at AuntEmma, who had shamed him into wearing an old Prince Albert coat whichhad fitted him fifty pounds ago.
“Look like you was the groom, Hozie,” chuckled one of the old cattlemen.“Gosh, yo’re shore duded-up!”
“Glad I ain’t,” said Uncle Hozie quickly. “All them wimmin upstairs,blubberin’ over the bride. Haw, haw, haw, haw! She’d ort to have on aswimmin’ suit. Haw, haw, haw, haw!”
He winked one eye expressively and jerked his head toward the kitchen.His actions were full of meaning.
Curt Bellew got to his feet, stretched his six-foot frame, smoothed hisbeard and tramped down heavily on one foot.
“Settin’ makes me stiff,” he said apologetically. “Got t’ move around alittle.”
He half limped toward the kitchen door.
“Does kinda cramp yuh, Curt,” agreed old Buck West.
His wife reached for him, but too late. He didn’t look toward her, butfollowed Curt Bellew.
One by one they complained of inaction and sauntered out.
“I never seen so many men cravin’ exercise,” declared Mrs. West.“Ordinarily Buck’s a great setter.”
The women grinned knowingly at each other. They all knew Uncle Hozie hadopened the liquor. Aunt Emma came down the stairs, looking quicklyaround the room.
“Oh, they’re all out in the kitchen, Emmy,” said Mrs. Bellew. “Said theywas gettin’ cramped from settin’ around.”
“Oh, I s’pose Hozie couldn’t wait any longer. He swore he’d get drunk.Said he had to get drunk in order to forget that coat he’s got on. Buthe’s been pretty temp’rance for the last year or so, and a little miteof liquor won’t hurt him.”
“I s’pose it’s all right,” said Mrs. West dubiously. “How is Peggy?”
“Standin’ it right good,” said Aunt Emma. “Never seen a prettier bridein my life. Laura Hatton dressed her, and that girl does show goodtaste, even if she is from the East.”
“I never set no great store by Easterners,” said Mrs. Bellew. “ButLaura’s nice. And she’s pretty, too. She’s sure put the Injun sign on‘Honey’ Bee. That boy ain’t worth the powder it would take t’ blow himto Halifax. This may sound like an exaggeration, but it’s as true as I’msettin’ here; Honey Bee cut L.H. on the side of my organ.”