The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
A Badly-Used Groom.


neighboring towns, recently married,
went to the thriving city of Springfield,
Ohio, on their bridal tour They ar
rived at the Lagonda House, in that
place, about nine o'clock in the evening,
The bride waited in the ladies' recep-
tion-room while her liege lord went to
the Office to register his name, and for
the first time to write it with "and wife"
The polite clerk was notified Of the fact
that he was fresh and newly-married
man, and the bridal chamber was &C
cordingly assigned them. The groom
retired from the office, accompanied by
a servant, and with his bonnie bride re-
paired to the bridal-room. In about
half an hour the afiable clerk at the La
gonda was surprised to see the groom
walking in the Office and still more sur
prised to notice that he deliberately
walked to an easy chair, in a dark cor
ner, and seated himself with disap-
pointed but determined sort of an air.
The clerk waited some minutes, all the
time wondering il there could SO soon
have been a family row. He watched
the young husband closely, endeavoring
to discover by his actions the cause of
his so suddenly and so soon retiring
from the chamber which contained his
tair young bride But his watching was
in vain. There sat the groom in the
shadow of pillar, quiet and calm
Finally, the clerks curiosity became SO
great that he determined to interview
the young man about the matter. APP
preaching him in a respectful manner,
he said
"My friend, pardon me, but I don't
understand why you have so soon left
the bridal chamber, Has anything SER
ious happened
80, no." said the young fellow.
"Jennie is an awful modest girl, and
she said she couldn't retire as long as l
was in the room. l told her she would
have to get used to it sooner or later,
and might as well commence the first
night But she said no. and plead so
hard, and with such love looks, that l
couldn't refuse her, and at her request
left the room and came down here"
"Well, what are you going to do ~
said the curious clerk. You don't pro-
pose to sit here all night, do youl"
"No stree You bet don't. Jennie
promised that as soon as she got I'M
dressed she would turn the gas low and
then ring the bell. As soon as | heard
it l was to go up to my room. l will
sit here, and if you will please tell me
when the bell to my room rings L will
be obliged, and | will go up"
Gail right" said the amused clerk !;
"when your bell rings I'll tell you," and
so saying he left the newly made hus-
band Time rolled on, and an hour
passed. The young fellow anxiousiy
came to the desk and inquired over and
over again if " his bell hadn't rung," and
when the answer came, Ono, sir!" he
looked troubled and anxious. Finally
he settled himself in an easy chair, and
soon the clerk heard his sonorous snores.
The night passed and Wight came, but
the bell of the bridal chamber had not
30 much as tinkled once I'll night. At
six o'clock the daylight clerk came on
duty, and the groom, who was sleeping
soundly, was awakened He rubbed his
eyes, yawned and stretched himself, and,
in - confused manner, exclaimed
"Where am II
Then recollecting the condition of af-
fairs, he angrily said, "Lookee here,
you, Mr.. Clerk, why in the devil didn't
you wake me up when that ar bell rangT
"Well, sir, it didn't ring"
Didn't ringf'
"No, sir"
"Not onceP
"No, sir; not once"
"What not once during the whole
night"
"No."
swell, that is darned strange. By
gosh, don't understand this business
I'll 60 to the room and see Jennie, and
find out what the devil she means keep
ing me down here all night" and off he
started.
About twelve o'clock he entered the
dining-room, with bright-eyed Jennie on
his arm, and they sat down to dinner.
After the repast Jennie went to her
room, and her handsome and now happy
husband repaired to the Office to tex
plain things to the clerk"
L.