The Travels of Increase Joseph: A Historical Novel about a Pioneer Preacher

27. The Marriage of Little Joe

a Chapter 27 The Marriage of Uttle Joe June 1876 I t had been a long time since there was such excitement in Link Lake. Saturday, June 17 was the marriage date for Increase Joseph Link, II and Henrietta Bakken. No one could understand why it took them so long to make up their minds about marriage. They were both 26, well beyond the age when most young people in Link Lake wed. They were often seen talking together, walking along Link Lake and attending various social functions in Link Lake. The rumor spread that if the decision had been Henrietta's alone, the knot would have been tied several years earlier. But she was persistent and patient. Henrietta was well aware of Little Joe's shyness, perhaps more so than anyone else. Even though he was bright, had many good ideas, and was an excellent speaker, when alone with someone, especially a woman, he could scarcely find his tongue. But he had gotten better or so said Henrietta one time when her mother inquired if Little Joe ever said anything when they were together. People wondered if Little Joe found enough words to ask Henrietta to marry him or if Henrietta, 232 Apps quite a headstrong young woman, had simply taken the bull by the horns and did the asking. It became a topic of discussion at the Link Lake Mill, at the Mercantile store and at the cheese factory where farmers regularly gathered. Folks agreed that she probably asked Little Joe regularly, and within the last month or so had finally gotten a response from him. Of course no one would ever know the truth of the matter. Like his father, Little Joe sometimes got confused about such things as social events, and probably his own wedding. The Judd brothers firmly believed that Little Joe may have said yes to marriage, but believed he was answering quite a different question, such as do you like apple pie? When talk of the marriage moved through the community, more than one person reported that Little Joe, as he wandered around town, looked more confused than ever. John Judd met Little Joe on the board sidewalk outside the Mercantile store in early June. "Hear you're gettin' hitched?" Judd asked. "What, what ... What did you say?" Little Joe replied. His mind seemed to be some other place when he was out walking. "Hear you're gettin' married?" Judd repeated. "I must go," Little Joe said. "The woods beckon." Either he still hadn't heard what John Judd had asked, or he simply couldn't accept what he and Henrietta had agreed to do. Henrietta on the other hand, was bouncing around town with a big smile on her face and a friendly, "How do" to everyone she met. It was Jacob Ornsby who brought up the topic of the upcoming marriage one day at the cheese factory. "No question about whose gonna wear the pants in that marriage," Ornsby said, Iaugh- The Travels of Increase Joseph 233 ing. "Sure like to be a mouse in the corner on their wedding night," Silas Stewart offered. "I don't think that boy knows the first thing about what he's expected to do." "We'll all find out soon enough," Jacob Ornsby said. Aside from what all people were saying and thinking, the wedding was scheduled for Saturday, June 17. The ceremony itself would be performed by Increase Joseph in the Standalone Church. Following the ceremony everyone in the community, whether Standalone members or not, was invited to a reception in the sacred tent, erected just north of the church. Increase Joseph Link, recovered from his bout with the Peshtigo Fire and a night in the cold river, was back to his old self, mostly. But he was no longer the vigorous young man he once was. At age fifty, he walked a bit stooped, he tired more easily and his limp had become more prominent. The only after-effect from his winter-long illness after the fire, was a persistent cough that sometimes prevented him from speaking as long as he wanted. He sat on the porch of his modest cabin the Friday evening before the wedding, watching the sun set across Link Lake and thinking about his ministry in Wisconsin and about his family, Elwina and Little Joe who were always there to help him. He thought about how...