River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-08-16
PUNCTUALITY.

engaged to Charley long enough to
learn his weaknesses pretty well. and as
our wedding day approached L began to
tremble.
Charley" said as we parted the
night before, "don't be late tomorrow
whatever you do"
"Good heavens, Leila! What do you
take me for?" said Charley. eff ever a
man was ready for anything"
Which you never were since | knew
YOU" I said. 81 believe you would
manage to be late for your own funeral"
That would not depend quite so
much upon my own violition;" sand
charley laughing. make yolr mind
easy, little woman; | shall be in time"
was by no means convinced of it,
hut ! could say no more. At first | 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 kJuse.
Two o'clock was the hour fixed for 'iie
wedding, and as the time approached,
Of course | was in a turmoil. 1 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
toilet was completed. / was ready, from
The spray Of orange blossom which fast
ened my veil to the rosette on my slip
per: but Charley had not cone.
Its too bad, | said He promised
so faithfully 70 be here in time. Do send
somebodv 10 look him up."
Dear child' cried Aunt Fan, in ter
ROT, Whatever you do, don't cry Blush
ing cheeks are all very well for bride,
bit blushing eyes ale decided mistake
There is plenty Of time. 1t is only half,
past one"
But he might be here" cried. 81
am ready, and why not he2 It's too
bad2'
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. 1t
was completely efaced, but still Charley
did not come. Then | fell into stony
despair.
no wedding, and | shall be the laughing
stock Of everybody"
my dear Leila" said Aunt Fan, "we
are not in England. You can be mar
ried at any time, and it is not yet"
But just on the stroke" | 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 anu composed as
if | bad not been enduring agonies.
Charley Charley! how could your"
cIied and then stopped, and bit my lip
TO keep back the tears which rushed tC
my eyes.
''Whst IS it," said Charley, looking
utterly beRildered. Instead of looking
ashamed, when be understood the state
Of affairs, he began to laugh. My dean
child he said "the clocks were striking
two as came up the steps. | said !
would be in time and | am"
The wedding journey was not peri
cd of unaloyed bliss to me Charley
never missed 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 ''Ihen why
hurry? WHAT is the use of being in a
hotel if we cannot take our timeW As
if punctuality we're not virtue in it.
self
1t was relief to me when we came
home and settled down at last to begin
life in earnest. We had had one little
qu8rrel about the furnishing of our
house. | wanted a clock in every room
to which Charlie decidedly objected.
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 other things. / come home for
relaxation, and | want to forget all an
noyances Have clock in the kitchen,
by all means, aud put one, If you choose
in the servants bedroom. For the rest,
we have our watches, and what possible
need have We for more2'
/ yielded, but | 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 a 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-
watch and looking at 1t: "Oh, we need
not start for an hour yet; plenty of
time
Then he would throw himself into
chair and rlttle away about anything or
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
and | never did. As the time grew on
however, | would say Charley, ought
YOU not be getting ready?"
s'Oh, there's no hurry" was the inva-
riabte reply-''time enough" At last,
however. he would rouse himself, look
at his watch, ylwn, stretch, and then
rise slowly from his chair.
That bonnet Is very becoming. i
suppose that is why You like to wear it
so long, he said on one such occasion.
Then he went out of the room laughing,
and | heard him moving about over
head in the deliberate way which nearly
drove me frantic
The worst of it was that he always did
manage to be Just in time. IT | could
only have convicted him of being just
too late for once, should have some
thing to fall ack uponin our arguments,
hut as it was, ! had nothing to take hold
Of
Things had gone on this way for two
or three months | did not suppose
that Charlie knew or, indeed, saw, how
| fretted about it, tried hard to hide
my irritation for | really loved him and
did not wish to annoy, still less to alien
ate him; but | suppose that my efforts
were in vain. We were talking about 4
reception to which we were going in the
evening and / said: NOW, Charley,
dear, won't YOU he ready in time, just
for once? You do make me waste so
much time waiting for YOU"
Charley laughed as usual, and was
going to make one of his careless retorts
but he stopped suddenly.
we have been married four months,
haven't We Lelia?' he said.
Four months to-day, II SAID promptly
1T was the Sth of August and this is the
Sth of December"
And in all that time you have not
been able to cure me of my dreadful
fault? Poor little girl! Your hair will
he grey in year at this rate. I'm go
INK to try the effect of turning over a
new leaf, and see how we both like
it,
| did not know exactly what he meant
.hen. but | began to understand when
lie went into his dressing room the mo-
mcnt | suggested il. He came out fully