Page 26 - MailOrderBrideFlipBook

“He just told them my mail-order bride came in, and she had to ride on a cattle boat.” “Yeah,” Jim said. “I told some of the boys down town that you had a mail-order bride come in.” Eli rolled his eyes. “Oh, and what did they have to say?” Jim elbowed Eli. “That preacher’s a sly devil, isn’t he? I didn’t think he had it in him.” Then Jim burst out laughing. “Oh, you guys have been a whole lot of help,” Eli said. “And just how am I suppose to get up and preach a sermon tomorrow, when everyone thinks I ordered a mail- order bride?” “Now, calm yourself down,” Jim said. “Maybe you can just preach about...” Jim paused to think a moment, and then continued, “about the evils of marriage.” Jim and Whitman both laughed, but Eli didn’t. “I don’t see the humor in this!” he snapped. Victor approached carrying a small, ugly bag. “Here her things,” he said, holding it out to Whitman. Whitman took the bag and looked it over. “That’s all she’s got? There couldn’t be much more than one change of clothes in there.” Victor shook his head. “I think she no have more clothes than what she wear. I think just things from home.” “I’ll take this to her,” Whitman said. “I’m sure she’ll be wanting whatever’s in here.” Whitman then turned to Eli. “And, Eli, don’t forget to be at our house for dinner. And I wouldn’t be late. The way Agnes said it, it wasn’t a request.” 23