The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-23
The Belated Bridegroom.

"Do you think shall get there in time2"
said MIR. Pcnfield, pulling his beard rather
nervously. t' " o"I" "-. ""I :
ooh, yes, sir, plenty of time |" said the
stage-drivcr. 'lt amt often we has such
heavy fall O snow as this in the month Of
March, but It's scottish and hasn't driftcd
much yet, and my horses is used to these
hills. jest you set steady, sir, and don't
mind an extra jolt or two, and, my, word
for it, you'll get there by eight. Anyhow,
II you don't" " he added, with u grin, sT
calc'late as how you won't be the only one
disappointed I" l'''.i..' s".Ht. - -
''No, l suppose not, I" said Mr.. Pcnfcld,
with complaccnt smile, rs he seated him
self in the snnggest corner Of the damp and
dismal stage-coach, which smclcd of blue
mould and ristlcd its carpet of wet straw
under foot. juUs = ,n7..r,Hi ... ".,. -,
Evidently, = said he to himself, as, the
driver cracked his whip, and the whole
numbering conccrn got under way, "this
is a literary ncigh6orhood. My lecture on
the Life and Character of Dickens stands
fair chance for being appreciated.
MIR. Petronius Penficld was a public lee
turcr and he was coming to Pippsvillc
-Four Corners to deliver. the favorite lecture
OF his series, this snowy, tempestuous night,
when trains were. ,blockadcd, ferry boats
behind time, and 2stagc-coachcs tloundercd
through the white Wilderness like rocking
ships at sea- ~ -. .r.&F ,,rfr ..i .
III ''Ycry unlucky," pondercd Mr.. rPcnfield
-"very unlucky, indeed. If hadn't been
sensible enough to take. all these vuntin
gencies into consideration, and start well in
advance OF time, should certainly have
been belated |"
But at all the way -stations-and it seemed
to Mr. Petronius Penticld that their name
was legion Qittle, solitary inns, with red
lights blinking from their easements and a
general impression of stable boys, crusted
with snow, and carrying lanterns) )-pcoplc
came and peeped surrcptitiously through
the misty stage windows to- get a glimpse
at him, and grlnned and whispcred mys-
teriousy to each other, and telegraphcd,
after some unknown system, to distant OBJ
servers in the background. .4.f.,} 30
'"This is fame J." said Mr.. Pcnficld to
himself. .,.a, .o,,... f,.,. ...,rr, y
And comfortable sensation stole over
: him, such as Shakespeare might have felt,
could he rise out of his. grave and sec the
crowds falling down to worship at his birth.
place at Stratford-nnon Avon and he fell
to repeating to himself the most sounding
sentences of Ills new, lecture, and fancying
the effect they would produce upon the
audience at Pippsville -Four Corners.
AT length, after an uIiconscionablc length
of time, the stage rumblcd up to the tavern
at Pippsville. -. ,., r.
Mr.. Pehtield emerged, stiff, uncomfort-
able and half frozen. with nose the color
Of heavens celestial blue, and little icicles
hanging all over his, beard. i; !. @,di'.
''aoin' to get out, sir 81 said the driver,
manifesting some surprises yujrtn'ni ~
; "Of course Pm going to- get out" sad
{ Mr., Penfeld. ! ~ ~ l., ,HHi ~ ..
"But Squire Tubbs, sir, he's gone to the
Atheneum Building already: And they're
- 'a-waitin', all of eni" "ligrrtif T. .aJC -
x SAT half past seVen--what nonsense |"
said Mr.. Penfield consulting his watch.
"My good man, there's full half an hour to
spare. = I ,1N'j.,t III :! n!l! - 4
t'Bpt Iiwas to take you to tho door,"
2 urged tho stage driver, in a state of very
evident, perplexity. ST promised 'em.p y
sob, I can walk, "rnodded the lecturer.
ga little exercise will do me good, after
being cooped up. in that confounded mouse.
trap Of a coach for two mortal hours."'t
.vyt'Walk g. No, iye can't ~ said the Jelu,
'It's good two miles miles, and every
inch; OF. the way covered with snow -drifts"
-, ttNonsepseln cried Mr9 Penfeld, petu-
lantly., slim half starved, and j must
have something to eat, whatever happens
Waiter i, Here H. Bring whatever cold
meat you have, and a bottle Of BASES lale
And look sharp about it, do you hcar,2T
The stage-driyer Disappeared 4muttering
to himself in, deep disgust, something about
''the coolest customer as ever he seen !"
and the landlord came hurrying and smiling
in,3 ag0LI, tl3t3 .iu' E..ri4 MapgitiJfi -
stYou're the gentleman from New York,