Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-10
MY LITTLE MISTAKES.

called the happy event. TOR nad
known him since we were both at
school, where he was generally called
the"Fat Boy" and many Of the fellows
entertained the rooted idea that he was
the lineal descendant Of the "fat boy
whom Charles Dickens has immortal
lied in "Pickwiek."
Tom Phelan was not only fat boy,
but, in accordance with the promise Of
his youth, he became fat young man,
with q mellow face like an over-ripe
pear, and an amply proportiOned per-
son. Indeed, it was because of that
genial, happy look and general air Of
comfort which his fairness impaired that
little May O'Rourke fell in love with
and finally married him. For this suf-
fieient reason Tom thought her the
wisest woman of her generation. aud
quite believed in his inner conscious
ness that nature had endowed her with
rare and admirable taste.
Twelve months ago had acted as
Toms best man; he had asked me to
stand by him to the last, and L did. l
saw him through the painful ceremony,
during which he was stared ut in the
keenest way by all the brides female
friends, including eight charming
bridesmaids, not one Of whom during
the time vouchsafed me glance; for
by comparison with the bridegroom l
was an embarrassing man, who had not
the heart, the courage, the good taste
or the sense to take any woman for bet
ter or worse; therefore, in the presence
of this noble specimen OF humanity, the
bridegroom, was Insignificant.
Ifeyer man was uncomfortable in
his life. Tom Phelan was, under the I'M
interrupted gaze of these fair creatures,
and of the crowds of the brides rela-
tons assembled for the occasion, in all
their strength and glory, inside the
walls Of ST. Brides Church, Dublin.
At the breakfast some one made q
long speech, in which 50 many magni-
ficent things were said with 80 much
grandilOOuence, that the bride began to
weep; and poor Tom, who thought it
his duty TO harmonic in all things with
the feelings of his .new-mRde wife, was
about to allow himself to be overcome,
and shed q few tears also when he
caught the stern and reprOachful gaze OF
his newly-made mether-in-law, and
that one glance decided the matter and
STAYED n is EN- OtiOn Immediately.
Isaw him through tall, poor fellow, rs
promised. was true to my trust, and
at the last moment, whilst the carriage
which was To convey him and his bride
away, waited, extracted a few grains
of rice which had lodged themselves in
his left eve, and picked up his hes. hat,
which had been rudely knOck of his
head by the blow Of an old slipper from
some friendly but awkward hand.
So, rs | commenced by stating, they
had now baby, and they made a.
much fuss and excitement over the fact
as fit were the most wonderful, instead
ofthe most natural, thing in life. The
day after receiving the telegram | had
q letter from Tom, in which he de-
scribed the infant Is the finest baby his
sisters, his cousins and his auntS-and,
collectively, their names are legion
had ever seen. Ii was a boy, and moth
ing would please him but that should,
fortnight after the receipt Of his letter,
CTUSS the Gldlluel anu cliLu eONlle1NuCA
to his first-born.
No doubt he considered he paid me a
compliment, for he seemed to lay great
Ssttrssss .Qp tbs. fact Ofmy being requested
born" and gave me to understand the
honor would not be so great if l were,
in the coming time, asked to hold the
same position toward other little types
OF humanity that, in the course of years,
he fully eXpected-nay, hoped-wOuld
present themselves.
would do anything to Oblige an old
friend like Tom Phelan, even to getting
seasick: 30 l crossed over to Kingstown,
suffering that malady in all its horrors,
during which time l did not exactly
bless this young Phelan, on whose ac-
count had undertaken the journey.
My old friend was waiting for me on
the pier, his round, ruddy face beaming
with happiness, and trimming over
with. smiles. l felt at that moment
that he must be a complete contrast to
myself, for NAL dc nlcr always made me
look the color of an unripe lemon, and
certainly did not improve my temper
"Well, my boy" he said, seizing my
hand, and jerking my arm up and
down as If he had mistaken IL for q
Pump-handle, "HOw are you""
"Vcry bad. We have had rough
night,T replied, rs briefly as | could,
whilst | watched tSO porters diSputing
for the possession Of my pOrtmanteau.
suppose Tom saw that | was yet suf-
frriug from the effects Of my voyage,
and was somewhat out of sorts, for he
did not speak to me for some time.
When he lid, il was in tone of re-
prOach.
"Fitz, you have not asked me how he
is" he said.
"He-whom?" 1 inquired, rather
mystified.
"Hour little god son."
"Oh, of course; how stupid | am! I
beg your pardon, my dear fellow; how
is he? All right / hope" ("If the
fond parent had only heard my fervent
prayers for his heir few hours ago." [
thought to myself feeling for the first
time in my life bit Of q hypOCrite.l
"He is a wonderful big infant, they
tell me,n said the affectiOnate parent,
with an air of pride, and some aSSump-
ton of indifference.
ais hep asked, with what / hoped
was tone expressive OF the interest
felt.
Tom was so good natured that he had
already forgiven me for my want OF
thought.
"When is it to be, Tom? l asked
presently.
"What % he asked.
1.-THE christening, ofeourse," said /.
"wednesday" he answered; "and we
have decided to leave the selection Of
his name % you"
"My dear fellow, that is too much re-
sponsibility; if gave the boy q name
be did not like, ike Christopher or To-
bias, or AlOnZO OF Simon, he would
never forgive me when ne grew up, and
would hate me even unto the day of his
DEATH"
"What nonsense you talk, Fitz. You
can talk itover with May, and come to
some arrangement"
UOne question: said abruptly, stnp-