The Illegal Marriage — page 258: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

250 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. city, and had quarters at the “Lanier” for himself and bachelor friends. Crawford, the “best man,” had already arrived from Columbus; Trippe and wife drove up from Echaconnee; and the evening train brought Doctor and Mrs. Pierce, Josh Jones, Lamar, and several other friends from the towns along the railroad, in which Stannard was well known. : Disguise it as he would, Stannard was in a great state of trepidation, and in vain he tried to assume his usual nonchalance of manner. : “It’s no use trying to hide it, Stannard,” said Ham Pierce, coming out on the balcony where Crawford and Stannard were smoking their cigars. “Not the least bit of use, for it can’t be done.” “You’ve been through it yourself, Ham, and ought to know.” “] speak from experience, of course; but come, Stannard, how do you feel to-night?” “Now, Ham, ’pon my word, that’s the last ques- tion I expected from-you. Why, that is what every- body says. Peyton, I’d like to know why it is, when a fellow is going to be married, that all married men attempt to poke fun at him? Of course a fellow can’t help being a little nervous about it— that is, unless he has as little sensibility as Trippe did when he had his head broke.” “Ha! ha! ha!” camea hearty laugh behind them, and the robust form of Doctor Trippe joined in the circle. “That’s it exactly; I never saw the good of that affair until now.” “Good of it, Trippe, how?” “Jt furnished Stannard with a new simile. He’s like Dick Swiveller in the use of tropes.” “Come, Trippe, don’t vou begin to chaff me too.” “On the contrarv, 1 came to defend you. This is a very serious matter—take notice, Peyton, you’ ll—_—” “Nonsense, Trippe,” interrupted Stannard, “take acigarand sit down. I want to ask you about old Hawks.” “He is dead.” “Dead!” exclaimed Crawford, “why I saw some Gomicbhoo iS (Ele)