The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-11-11
THE DOUBLE ELoPEMENT

dwelt DIR. Hammond and his family.
They were noted for their kind hospi-
tality, and for the interest they took
in the general affairs of the village.
So very often happened that their
only daughter, Artie, was the belle Of
many social parties. There it was
that she repeatedly met n young man
by the name of Charles Bavey, and
his fancy for Miss Artie's pretty face,
blue eyes and dark brown curls, kept
him constantly by her side.
But what | was going to tell you
was this--that the Doctor had made
up his mind to spend the summer up
near Lake Tahoe, so he could have
fine time hunting and fishing during
the heated term, and as matter OF
course, he wanted TO take his family
with him, for he could not think OF
leaving them down there in the terri
bly, hot weather of summer.
Now Artie did not like this idea Mt
all, so, after taking n good cry about
| it, she came into tho parlor where
Mrs. Hammond sat, and said:
Now mamma, this is too bad; just
too think OF us going away off up into
the mountains where we can't see any
thing but Indians and sage brush. 1
shall die, mamma, know / shall, If
you take me away off up there"
/? No, my dear, said Mrs. Ham
mond, gently, "and TO tell the truth,
Artie, 1 shall be glad to get you off up
there where you cant do 80 much run
ming around. | AN about sick OF this
going all the time.
"Well. I'm not" said Miss Artie,
with an independent toss of her pret-
She had not stood there long when
she saw some one coming up the little
lane which led to the house. Then
she turned to her mother and said:
"Oh, mamma, Charley Bayey
is coming here.
Yes. just rs expected, you can't
think OF anything but Charley Bayey,
now" said Mrs. Hammond, as. she
left the room,
She soon heard Ariie and Charley
talking very low together. so she be-
gan to wonder what they were saying
aud finally she went to the door to
listen. She heard Charley say:
i .'Yes, darling, viii come with the
buggy just at dark to-morrw, so We
can go and get married in a short
time. Your folks won't think of such
thing until ii it's too late"
But, Charley, suppose papa won't
forgive u.s." said Artie.
"Oh. there's no danger but he will
and you'll go won't you, Artie? Only
think what heavy, lonesome life il
will be without you, darling."
As Artie looked up into very low
ing pair OF hazel eyes, she smi ingly
said, "Yes Charley"
Now goodnight darling, aud by
this time tomorrow night you'll be
my darling little wife"
1 Saying this, Charley kissed her and
was gone.
Now, rs Mrs. Hammond had been
listening all the time. she had heard
every thing Charley said. So she said
to herself, ironically, ''your dear little
wife by this time tomorrow night
Oh, yes, we'll see about that
But when Artie came out her moth
er was sitting ut the table, sewing
She looked up and asked
"Well, Artie, has Charley gone so
soon"
Eyes, mamma" was all Artie said
as she left the room.
The next day passed off, and just at
dark buggy drove up to the gate.
"Now," thought Mrs. Hammond,
"Ill show them q trick that's worth
two them"
4 So she put on Artie's cloak and hat
and ran down to the gate. A gentle
man very gallantly helped her into the
buggy, but never spoke word.
WELL" thought she, she afraid
to speak for fear Artie's father and
mother would will hear him. Ahem!'
So away they went, and Mrs. Ham
mond sat there thinking what nice
trick she had played ON Artie by run
ming off with Charley. Then she be.
gan to wonder if this was the way he
treated Artie when they went out rid.
ing; and next what would the docto,
say? But what puzzled her most was
!, that they We're going i'll the opposite
direction from what she had expected
So at last she said:
"Well, Charley. darling, hadn't We
better go home.
Imagine her surprise to hear the
doctor voice answer:
|. "What! Maggie, is that you? What
in the name of all that's good, bad
and Indifferent are you doing here?"
"Indeed! and I should like to know
whom you thought you had in here, il
not me-? answered Mrs. Hammond
''Oh, / thought it was Artie.
"And what in the world ever pu
such a notion into your head, as tx
take Artie out at this time of night?
"Well the fact is, Maggie, as I sa
| on the porch last evening, 1 overheard
Charley and Artie talking about run
ming off to get married, and SO JUS
thought I'd save Charley the trouble
: and take Artie out for ride. 1 be-
gan to think she was keeping very
q still"
"That is just what I heard" sale
/ Mrs. Hammond, "and my object il
going with Charley was the same a.
; yours in taking Artie of"
awe are couple of pretty fools to
t tbe eloping in this way, but here We
are at home again.
Saying this the doctor helped his
/, wife out of the buggy, and then went
into the house. One glance at the
+ empty rooms convinced them Artit
was gone, they could easily guess