Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-03-25
John PLOWDEN'S WEDDIN I-DAY.

JOHN pLU " DEN'S NEDUlN I.DAl.
Johnny Plowden was man who could
keep anything but an appointment. lie
kept his temper at all times, his good
looks, his money when needful, and his
seat across country; but if you invited
him to dinner at eight he came at nine,
and touched everybody by the repent
ance he showed, though he had always
true excuse to urge. If you wanted him
to catch a midday train, the only way
was 10 implore him to be at the station
at ten; and Johnny had been known un-
der such circumstances, to turn up punct-
uaily at half.past eleven. We ali of us
have our enem es, a L Johnny Plowden's
two were time and tide, which wait for
no man. a-
Some months ago Johnny was engaged
to be married TO pretty creature who
loved him well, but was aware of his be-
Sc ing sin. Not even with her had he
be,a able to make hi, footsteps keep pace
with the clock, and the ordinary prelude
to all interviews between himself and
his aflianced was for Miss Amy to draw
out her watch and say: There, now.
you are an hour behindhand againp' 1t
was very natural, therefore, that on the
eve of the wedding Miss Amy should re-
mark, beseechingly: 81 do hope. John
ny, you will be punctual tomorrow. |
should look miserably ridiculous if you
were late"
"Late ! should like to catch myself
late on such a day.' echoed Jack with
feeling; and he added characteristically
enough: "You all seem to think am UNI
punctual; but, you know, if l was be-
h hoo |
had forgotten to wind up my watch last
night"
"Well, let me wind i: up myself now,
then we shall be SAFE" sa d Amy, sooth-
ingIy; and taking Jack s key she set his
watch by her own, and sent him home
rejoicing and full of good resolutions.
He got up at six the next morning,
dressed, b eakfasted, and found himself
at eight o'clock wi h nothing to do for
the next two hours and a half, his APP
pontmcnt at Amy's house being tor 10 80.
Now Amy lived at Hampton Court, and
Jack himself was dying with an aunt
who resided in the Palace. Every one
knows hat the park adjoining the Palace
is fine park, just the p ace for a nice
stroll on sunny wedding morning; SO
Johnny, after celebrating the question,
decided that two hours stroll would
prevent him from undertaking any occu-
patlon-reaUlng or the like-whi.h
might lead him to forget the march of
time. He went out, walked strait bit
ahead OF him, threw some bread crumps
to the royal fowls on the ornamen al wa
ter, and paused under an oak to admire
The beauties OF nature. What day for
wedding! Whar golden tints in the
sky What melody in the songs of birds
caroling in the branches above him
Johnny walked on again, a happy man in
his new clothes; took a turning, then
another and found himself opposite the
lsbyrnth.
There is generally keeper Who d.
reefs people how 10 find their way
through this maze of yew hedges; but
the hour was too early tor visitors, and
the keeper was absent. Johnny glanced
at his watch, time, $50; aud still one
hour an hal: u, least before hi. best
man would call for him. Johnny was
tempted. He had often sauntered
through the labyrinth, and thought he
could find his way about j, alone besides
which, the attention he would be obliged
to bestow on his movemen would make
the time pass more quickly. To take a
stroll through fine scenery in sunny
weather is good, but when man is
ABOUT TO be MARI ed even the brigh est
walks are apt 10 seem tedious. Johnny
was surprised TO find that he hid onl,
oeen wandering half an hour; he had
imagined that good hour had elapsed
since he started
lie entered the labyrinth Yew to the
right of him, yew to he left OF him, yew
TO the front of him lowered md zig
"a ged. Expec alton proven ed the
mean detngs from becom NJ monoto.
nous still Jack was glad when ne reached
'he center OF the maze, for this proved
mat he could fin his way out again.
I've man knows, ind ed, that facility
IN getting into fix argues similar ease
IN setunE out; witness rat traps, euag-
AiIts. and SUITS in Chancery.
Johnny turned his steps outward and
rejected ths labyrinthing WAS decided!r
peasant pastime; he had killed twenty
minutes comfortably. and could afford
"H''uer iWcnty--nay, a hundred and
'"enty-wi bout Inconvenience. The
Jews were very picturesque, 100 Johnny
stopped TO feel their sheltering. cool
leaVes and TO marvel at the thickness OF
lhe hedges. He laughed at the notion