The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1883-08-17
PUNCTUALITY

N-ENENG.- WrrA FEsAa+fsrrHaet
The trouble began rs o a. we were
marned-nay, evon before. had been
engaged to Charley long enough to
learn his weaknesses pretty we'll, and az
our wedding day approached 1 began to
tremble.
Charley" I said as we parted the
night before, "don't be late tomorrow
whatever you do.n
"Good heavens, Leila! What do you
take me for2" said Charley. 'If aver a
man was ready for anything"
(Which you never were since / knew
YOU" 1 said. 81 believe you would
manage to be late for your own funeral"
''That would not depend quite SO
much upon my own violition;" said
Charley laughing. "Make your mind
easy, little woman; 1 shall be in time"
/ was by no means convinced of it,
but | could say no more. AT first l had
thought of being married in the English
style, but l did not fancy the idea of
waiting at the chancel rails for Charley.
The only safe thing seemed to be to Sc
cure him before we left the house.
Two O'Clock was the hour fixed for the
wedding, and as the time approached,
of course | wa in a turmoil. I was sure
that the hair dresser was late, but Aunt
Fan convinced me that the appointed
hour had not yet arrived. He came
promptly on the stroke of the clock.
then all was hurry and worry until my
| tnIInf upG pnrVr InfnI a mos raolxy frNrn
the spray of orange blossom which fast
ened my veil to the rosette on my slip
per: but Charley had not come.
Its too bad" / said. "He promised
SO faithfullyt to be here in time. Do send
somebody to look him up"
Dear child" cried Aunt Fan, in ter
ror, "Whateveryo do,don't cry. Blush
ing cheeks are all very well for a bride,
There is plenty of time. 1t is only half.
past one"
But he might be here,"I cried. 81
am ready, and why not he? It's too
bad?''
One great tear splashed down upon
the brocaded satin of my dress. That
frightened me-, / resolutely repressed
the rest, while Aunt Fan carefully dried
the spot with her lace handkerchief. Ii
was completely efaced, but still Charley
did not come. Then I fell into stony
despair.
"He won't come at all. There will be
no wedding, and I shall be the laughing
stock of everybody"
"My dear Leila" said Aunt Fan, 1--WE
are not in England. You can be mar
ried at any time, and it is not 2 yet"
HBut just on the stroke" I said.
Just then the cuckoo clock shouted
out its two absurd notes. A moment af-
forwards the door bell rang, and Char
ley walked in as calm and composed as
if ! had not been enduring agonies.
"Charley! Charley! how could you?"
cried and then stopped, and bit my lip
to keep back the tears which rushed to
my eyes.
"What is it?" said Charley, lookins
utterly bewildered. Instead of LOOKING
ashamed, when he understood the state
of affairs, he began to laugh. my deal
child" he said "the clocks were strikin,
two asI anne up the steps. l said i
would be in time and | am"
The wedding Journey was not a peri
cd of unalloyed bliss to me. Charley
never missed a train or a boat, but he
was never more than just in time, SO
that / was kept in constant terror. To
the hours for meals he paid not the
slightest attention. When / reminded
him of them, he merely inquired if |
was hungry. If | could not say that
was, he laughed and said: '"rhen why
hurry? What is the use of being in a
hotel If we cannot take our time?" AS
if %punctuality were not a virtue in it.
self
1t was a relief to me when we came
home and settled down at last to begin
life in earnest. We had had one little
quarrel about the furnishing of our
house. l wanted clock in every room
to which Charlie decidedly objected.
s"Time wa made for slaves" he said.
of my bonds? When l am down town,
| / must be punctual and energetic. and a
score Of other things. ] come home TO,
relaxation, and / want to forget all an
noyances. Have a clock in the kitchen,
by all means, and put one, if you choose
in the servants bedroom. For the rest
we have our watches, and what possible
need have we for more??'
yielded, but l made up my mind
then which OF Charities faults, was like.
ly to give me the most trouble.
Charley was always good natured; ]
will say that of him. On the whole.
though / am not sure that that was the
most ~agggravatlng part of it.. / always
made q point of being ready before the
time, when we were going anywhere,
hoping that my silent example would
have its effect, but it was of no use.
What! going already, little woman?.'
Charlie would say. Then pulling out mis-
not start for an hour yet; plenty O.
time
Then he would throw himself into {
chair and rittle away about anything OF
nothing, while / felt myself growing
more and more nervous every minute
/ had made up my mind that nothing
should induce me to quarrel with him
quarreling is at once foolish and vulgar
land / never did. As the time grew on
however, l would say: Charley, ought
you not be getting ready?n
ooh, there's no hurry" was the inva.
riable 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. ]
suppose that is why you like to wea, i
SO long, he said on one such occasion
and | heard him moving about oyer
head in the deliberate way which nearl,
drove me frantic.
The worst oft was that he always die
manage to be just in time. If | coulc
only have convicted HIN of being JUS
too late for once, ] should have some
thing to fall tack uponin our arguments
but as it was, | had nothing to take hold
of.
Things bad gone on this way for two
or three months. l did not suppos,
that Charlie knew or, -inderd, saw, how
l fretted about it. Itried hard to hide
my irritation, for I really loved him ant
did not wish to annoy, still less to alien
ate him; but suppose that my efforts