The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-05-04
ECNCTUALITY.

The troI1le began as soon as W,
were marr.eI-nay, even before.
had been engaged to Charlie Ions
enough to learn his weakness pretty
well, and as our wedding day ap.
preached, | began to tremble.
Charlie" ! said, as we parted tn,
night before, don't be late to-mor
row, whatever you do"
Good heavens. Lelial what dc
you take me for?' said Charlie. Il
ever man was ready for any
thing"
Which you never were since i
knew you," 1 said. Il belieye you
would manage TO be late for your
own funeral"
That would not depend so much
on my own volition, said Charlie,
laughing. 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 fan
cy waiting at the chancel rails for
Charlie. rhe 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 APP
preached OF course | was in tur-
mol. | was sure that the hair dres-
ser was late, but ACnt Fan conyinc-
ed me that the appointed hour had
not yet arrived. lie came promptly
on the stroke of the clock, and then
all was hurry and worry until my
toilet was completed, | was ready
from the spray of orange blossom
which fastened my veil, to the ro-
sette on my slipper, but Charlie had
not come.
Its too bad," / said. He prom
ised SO faithfully to be on time Do
send somebody TO look him up"
Dear childln cried Aunt Fan in
terror, whatever you do, don't cry.
Blushihg cheeks are all very well
for bride, but blushing eyes are 4
decided mistake. There is plenty of
time. 1t is only half past one"
But he might be here" / cried,
Il am ready and why isn't he? Its
zoo bad"
One great tear splashed down
upon the brocaded satin of my dress.
That frightened me, and | resolute-
ly repressed the rest, while Aunt
Fan carefully dried the spot with
her lace handkerchief. 1t was COIN
pletely efiaced, but still Charlie did
not come. Then fell into a stony
despair.
"He won't come at ALL" said.
"There will be no wedding, and |
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" ! said.
Just then the cuckoo clock
shouted out its two absurd notes. A
moment after the door bell rang,
and Charlie walked in as calm and
composed as if l had not been en-
during agonies.
"Charliel Charlie. how could
YOU ?" Tered, and then stopped
and bit my lip to keep back the
tears which rushed to my eyes.
what is it?" said Charlie, look
ing utterly bewiidered.
Instead of looking ashamed when
he understood the state of affairs, he
began to laugh. MY dear child" he
said, the clocks were striking two as
| came up the steps. | said | would
be in time and so 1 am.
The wedding journey was net q
period of unalloyed bliss to me.
Charlie never missed train or boat,
but he was never more than Just on
time, so that / was kept III constant
terror. To the hours for meals he
paid not the least attention. When
reminded him, of them, be merely
asked me if | was hungry. If /
could not say that | was he laugh
ed and said. '.Then why hurry !?
What is the use of being in hotel
if we cannot take our own time 2"
As if punctuality was not a virtue
in itself.
1t was a relief 10 me when we
came home, and settled down at
last to begin life in earnest We
had one little quarrel about the
| furnishing of our house. wanted
clock in every room, to which
Charlie decidedly objected.
"Time was made for slaves" he
said. why should | be constantly
reminded of bonds? When l am
down town / must be punctual and
energetic and score of other things
| 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 pos
sible need nave we Of more?"
yielded, but made up my
mind then which of Charles faults
was likely to give me most trouble.
Charlie was always good natured
| will say that for him. On the
whole, am not sure that that was
the most aggravating part of 1T. l
always made a point Of being ready
before the time, when we were go
ling anywhere, hoping that my 81
lent example would have Its effect
but it was of no use. What go
ing already, little women?" Charlie
would say. Then pulling out bis