The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-18
& 4Dick! No! Isn't he here 4"

| a fllNlN Nl1AhhNN4 hlu W ollNs W ihN NhlNN-
tions, he put on an old summer overcoat
to cover his evening dress, and started to
walk here with me, l told him he did
not look much like a bridegroom to which
be gave the characteristic reply, that "Looks
aren't everything"
"And how far did you come together u
"To Fourteenth street; there L turned
OIL to Irving place, and he started up
Broadway"
The disappearance of the bridegroom was
rendered more mysterious by this state
mcnt. There seemed absolutely nothing
to do but wait for his arrival as patiently
US possible and rs people began to pour
in, the time for the reception having come,
Mrs. Weldon received them with what
sclepossession she could, not telling them
to go away, since at any moment the miss
ing man might appear, and the ceremony
proceed. The company was very dreary,
however; everyone knew what had hap
pcned, gaiety was out Of the question, and
the only amusement was to rush to the
door of the hall every time anyone came,
in hopes Of seeing the pleasant brown face
Of Dick Strong.
Charlie Strong went down to the hotel
on the chance that for some inexplcablC
cause Dick had returned there. No, he
had not been seen. Mr.. Strong next in
qurcd Of the policemen along the route il
anyone had been taken suddenly III, as
this supposition had occurred as possible
explanation Of Dicks absence splendid
health rendered 1t rather an absurd one.
No, nothing unusual had happened, except
that there had been n fire on Broadway
and n great crowd. This was the news
with which the young gentleman came
back to the house, md the non-appcarancc
of the bridegroom seemed stranger than
ever. ... "..
Poor Edith sat in her rooms looking
like a pale and stricken flower; her brides
maids and friends were gathered around
her doing what they could to cheer her,
but she grew hopOlcssly sad. The hours
of the wedding evening stole by without
any news Of her lover. From time to
time whcn there was the hustle of an
arrival below, one Of the girls looked out
to see il Mr.. Strong bad come, but each
time only TO return with fresh disappOnt-
mcnt, so that in the bridal-roCm, MS well
as in the parlor, there was gloom and
anxiety. ...
And now to tell of the man who had so
strangely disappeared. When he parted
from his cousin, Dick, rs Charlie bad said,
went straight up Broadway, which was
the nearest road to Mr.. Weldon's home on
West Twenty-sixtl street. When he had
passed Union Square, he saw that quite n
crowd of people was assembled n'frcnt Of
one Of the stores, from the upper windows
Of which smoke was issuing. No thoughts
of turning aside to avoid the throng oc-
Cured to Mr. Strong's mind; no, he was
broad-shouldered and powerful, and he
began to push the throng, elboving right
and left, and hurrying on at little less
than his usual brisk pace. He had pro-
ceetlcd in this way, getting good many
angry looks, and some very uncomplimen-
tary remarks, to which he had paid no
manner Of heed until he had reached u
point where the crush was densest. Here
he was jostled about somewhat rldely, in
spite of his endcaYors to forge ahead I'M
checked. lie began to feel a little angry
at what seemed tho unnecessary amount
of hustling he received, and was pushing
on rather unccrcmoniously when he was
suddenly grasped by man, fully as
powerful as HIMSELF who cried out" You
have got my watch! Police! Police Stop
thief! PUliceW
The man roared out the words in voice
that rang above all the murmurs Of the
crowd, and Dick in fury Of rage turned
upon him like tiger.
I" You internal Scoundrcl, what do yOl
mcan} Let me 90 Let Inc so, l saym
lie struggled iiercely, but the man who
seized him by the shoulder had him at
disadvantage and continued to shout :
"Police! IIelp help! Stop thiefN
In moment three or four men had
hold OF Mr.. Strong, who fought and raved
in his wrath and indignation, and then
two policemen appeared on the scene and
summurily took him into custody.
"Thcrc youscsmp-now we'yeg got YOU"
cried the man in triumph.
Dick glarcd at him, almost specifies
with anger, though he managed to say to
the policemen: -
"You surely don't intend to take nc
into custody OIL the charge OF that maniac"
"lndeed we do, my good man, and You
might us well come along peaceably."
Now il there was ono thing that more
than another Dick Strong despised, it was
any h9asting of position, or family, or
money. lie had always declared that
"pcople would know man was a gentle
man without any need Of telling them So"
and that ait wasn't any consequence what
man wore if hc only behaved himself.
lie had aattcred himself that he looked,
despite the roughncss OF his dress, too
much the wcll.brrd gentleman ever to be
doubted, and yet hero were these two
policemen calling him "My good man.
hustlng him along, and no way to get out
Of tic sctape but to try to convince them
that he was not common thief
Thus the unfortunate bridegroom was
pulled through the crowd, people staring
at him, the policemen holding him last by
the arms, and lis captor following close at
their heels, giving vent to feelings of en-.
ioymcnt In occasional EXPLANATIONS. d
@Scoundrellp" Scamp!" "But he couldn't
come It over mc!r &c. Gouded at last
beyond endurance, Dick suddenly turned
upon him: L : . Y " W
@But | haven't got your watch, I,tell
YOU! You ought to know .wb9t. yotfre
talking about, before ACCUSING an honest
man in this.TGE."
"None,oi that now" said the policeman
roughly; "Comc along quietly"
"Wc'il see well see" shouted the
And thus was Dick led along, q miscra.