Her command was instantly obeyed, and then, as though nothing had happened, the ballots were shaken about in the box, and it was announced that it would be decided who should have Martin Haypole.
“Gosh!” exclaimed the Yankee; “I hope no one don’t git killed on my account! I’ll be satisfied with any of ther younger gals!”
This time nearly everyone had a chance at the box before the crystal was drawn, and then it resulted in favor of a buxom Hez maiden of fair appearance and uncertain age.
“Well, I rather guess you’ll do,” observed Haypole, as he shook hands with her, “though I’ll be ding-wizzened if I don’t wish it had been one of ther younger ones. Howsumever, beggars mustn’t be choosers, an’, though I ain’t exactly been a-beggin’ for a wife, I’ll take yer when ther times comes, an’ try an’ be satisfied.”
The next victim was the professor, and, with his face wreathed in smiles, he waited the result.
Almost the first one to draw was the fortunate one, and she being one of the beauties of the country, the professor nearly swallowed his false teeth, so broad was his smile of satisfaction.
“Golly!” said Lucky, when he was ordered to step forth for inspection; “I declar’ ter goodness, if dey ain’t treatin’ dis chile well in dis yer country! Furst dey make him all white, wif de excepshun of his face, which am a yaller color, an den dey present him wif a wife! Well, I’s’ll be satisfied wif any ob dem.”
In a few minutes it was all settled, and the winner of the prize, who was old enough to be the darky’s mother, seemed to be perfectly satisfied.
“Now,” said the queen, “all who have been chosen as husbands will leave, except the one who lost his bride at the hand of Azurma. Another ballot must be taken for him.”
Even Dick was forced to retire with the others, and that left Leo the only male in the crowd.