Brother Ezra Read online

Baker, “and love for me.” Brother Ezra looked at Hilda for the first time seeing her blushing and nodding her head vigorously.

  Baker shook his head unbelievably.

  Brother Ezra took Hilda’s other hand. “I want to travel to distant lands with you to spread the Word.” He paused a slight bit. “Will you marry me? Go with me to all these mysterious places to heal the sick and do God’s work?”

  Hilda didn’t hesitate. She dropped his hand and wrapped both arms around Brother Ezra’s neck. “I do, I do.”

  The preacher placed his hands on their heads. “I pronounce you man and wife. Come back tomorrow and we’ll do the necessary paperwork.”

  The next day Baker sat down in the easy chair across from the sheriff’s desk. “I don’t believe it. Hilda is going to marry the bum and travel around the world.” He paused for a moment. “Are you going to arrest Brother Ezra?”

  The sheriff put his feet on the desk and admired his alligator boots. “What for? Everybody is happy. Even the ones who thought he was a crook and rapist. Now that he’s marrying Hilda and leaving town with her, they’re happy. So everybody is voting for me again.”

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