The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-10
PUNCTUALITY.

The trouble began as soon as we were
1narried-nay, even before. had been en-
gagged to Charley long enough to learn his
Weaknesses pretty we'll, and as our wedding
day approached, began to tremble.
"Charley," I said, as we parted the night
before, don't be late to- morrow, whatever
you do"
''Good heavens, Leila! what do you take
ME for?' said Charley. IF ever man was
ready for anything"
(Which you never were since l knew
you," I said. 81 believe YOU would man.
age to be late to your own funeral"
THAT would not depend quite SO much
upon my own volition, said Charley, laugh
ing. Make your mind easy. little woman;
shall be in time
was by no means convinced of it but
could say no more. At first [ had thought
of being married in the English style, but
did not fancy the idea of waiting at the
chancel rails for Charley. The only safe
thing seemed to be to secure him before we
left the house.
Two o'clock was the hour fixed for the
wedding, and as the time approached, Of
course was in turmoil. was sure that
the hair dresser was late, but Aunt Fan con-
WINGED me that the appointed hour had not
yet arrived. He came promptly on the
stroke of the clock, and then all was hurry
and worry until my toilette was completed.
was ready, from the spray of orange BIOS
som which fastened my veil, to the rosette
on my slipper; but Charley had not come.
cts too bad" I said. "He promised so
faithfully to be in time. Do send some
body to look him up
Dear child!' cried Aunt Fan, in terror,
whatever you do, don't cry. Blushing
cheeks are all very we'll for bride, but
blushing eyes are decided mistake. There
is plenty of time. It is only half past one"
''But he might be here" cried. Il am
ready, and why isn't he? It's too bad"
One great tear splashed down upon the
brocaded satin of my dress. That fright
rest, while Aunt Fan carefully dried the
spot with her lace handkerchief It was
completely effaced, but still Charley did not
come. Then / fell into stony despair
He won't come at ALL" I said. ''There
will be no wedding, and 1 shall be the
laughing stock Of every body"
My dear Leila" said Aunt Fan. '''we are
not in England. You can be married at
any time, and it is not two yet"
"But just on the stroke,'' I said.
Just then the cuckoo-clock shouted
out its two absurd notes. A moment after
ward the door bell rang and Charley walked
in as calm and composed as if I had not
been enduring agonies.
''Charley! Charley how could you?" I
cried, and then stopped, and bit my lip to
keep back the tears which rushed to my
eyes.
"What is it? said Charley, looking utter
" bewildered.
Instead of looking ashamed, when he un-
derstood the state Of affairs, he began to
laugh. "My dear child" he said, "the
clocks were striking two as I came up the
steps. said would be in time, and I
am"
The wedding journey was not period of
unalloyed bliss for me. Charley never
missed train or boat, but he was never
more than just in time, SO that was kept
in constant terror. 10 the hours for meals
he paid not the slightest attention. When
reminded him of them, he merely inquired
whether was hungry. II could not say
that was, he laughed and said, "Then why
hurry? what is the use of being in a hotel
if we can not take our own timer" AS if
punctuality were not a virtue in itself!
It was a relief to me when we came home,
and settled down to begin life in earnest.
We had had one little quarrel about the fur
nishing Of our house. I wanted a clock in
every room, to which Charley decidedly OBJ
jected.
"Time was made for slaves" he said.
"Why should be constantly reminded of
my bonds? When am down town must be
punctual and energetic, and a score of 9TH
er things. I come home for relaxation, and
want to forget all annoyances. Have a
clock in the kitchen, by all means, and put
one, if you choose, in the servants bed
room. For the rest, we have our watches,
and what possible need have we for more?'
I yielded, but made up my mind then
which of Charleys faults was likely to give
me the most trou BILE.
Charley was always good natured; will
say that for him. On the whole, though,
am not sure that that was not the most ag-
gravating part Of it. always made point
of being ready before the time, when we
were going anywhere hoping that nv silent
example would have it's effect, but it was no
use. "What! going already, little woman?"
Charley would say. Then pulling out his
watch, and looking at it, "Oh, we need
not start for an hour yet; plenty of time"
Then he would throw himself into chair,
and rattle away about little or nothing, while
I felt myself growing more and more nerv-
vous every minute. I had made up my
mind that nothing should induce me to
quarrel with him-quarrelling is at once
foolish and vulgar never did. As
the time drew on, however, would say
"Charley, ought you not to be getting ready?'
ooh, there's no hurry" was the invariable
reply-"time enough" At last, however,
he would rouse himself, look at his watch,
yawn, stretch, and then rise slowly from
his chair.
''That bonnet is very becoming. I sup
pose that is why you like to wearit so long,
he said on one such occasion. Then he
went out of the room laughing, and I heard
him moving about overhead in the deiber-
ate way which nearly drove me frantic.