Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-07-31

ne IL forgive me Wncn once the
knot is ted he thought complacently,
rs he packed q clean Shirt, with few
other necessaries, in a small handbag,
to be carried with him to the trysting-
place in the lane
'.Ahem! Would you b'lieve, Mr..
Theobald, that that there nephew of
yourn is fixin' to 'lope with Camilly
Caramel at four o'clock this evening""
The Widow Hocken, who ''did'' for
Uncle Geoffry, and laid palpable siege
to his bachelor affections, had brought
q bit of startling news this time.
''Whatr' Moderated Mr.. Theobald,
astounded ana indignant. Ariel
cIope?'
He's q packin up his buds now,"
| asserted Mrs. Hocken, quailing before
her employers angry eye. You kin
peak through the key-hole in the
chamber-door an see fur yourself, if
YOU don't b'lievc me- she added in
injured tones.
Surprised rs lie was, Uncle Geoffry
was scarcely the one TO peak through
the key-hole" on whatever provoca-
ton.
''Shill go an turn the key an lock
him IMP" queried the widow, her sharp
grey eyes twinkling with cunning
smile. ..But, though, 'twouldn't do
no good if did" she added reflective
| ly, fur he's spry rs 4 cat, an could
climb out of the Winder in no time"
Uncle Geoffry scowled at the wild
owls suggestion, and endeavored to
dismiss it from his mind; but it would
not be.
'pd lock him up if l could" he
muttered vindictively, ''or do anything
practicabl to keep him from disgrace
ing himself by marrying any connec-
ton of that woman's."
''Ain't no place you could lock him
in" commented the widow. eff the
winders was only high an tight now,
! like them in the new church-house, you
might do it. Couldn't nothin' git out
| O. them-nOt even q cat.
! The new church! Sure enough.
| There was the big Bible Uncle Geoffry
| had bought in the city to be presented
to the church.
He might-he could-he would take
it over to-day, send ariel in to leave it
in the pulpit, and quietly turn the key
on him, keeping him a prisoner for
few hours, thus preventing the elope-
ment, for the time being at least.
''And who knows but the girl will
refuse to speak to him, after being dis
appointed once?" he thought. mo
doubt she's q little spitfire, like her
aunt
And as Uncle Geoffry had planned
it, SO it happened.
Hum! Wonder who'll be a.want-
ing key nextP" grumbled Dick Petit
grew, as he watched the uncle and
nephew drive leisurely away down the
! grassy road leading to the church.
''Somethin must be a-goin' on there, |
reckin.'
''My backs so lame | won't 90 in,"
declared Mr.. Theobald carelessly.
But when his nephew had disap-
peared within the portals of the church,
he made no bones of jumping down
after him, quickly turning the key in
the lock, and climbing back to his seat
in the buggy again, with more alac-
rity than might have been expected,
considering his ''lame back"
Half an hour after Mr.. Theobald had
driven homeward over the grassy road
again, Dick Pettigrew, whose curiosity
had got the better of his laziness, be-
what was going on, sure enough"
He was somewhat surprised to find
only q smiling young couple, promen-
aiding the gloomy aisles OF the sanctu-
airy.
Hello, Dick. You want to sweep
up or something, [ SUPPOSE" smiled
Ariel pleasantly.
And with Camilla leaning on his
arm, they coolly walked out of the
| door and away.
The shadows of eventide were slowly
settling down around the grassy knobs
and why dells Of Locust Hill.
The cows came home with painting
sides and dripping dew laps, gently
tinkling their bells and chewing their
cuds, rs they slowly ''wended their
weary way in q homeward direction
TOO late for this elopement to-day"
thought Miss Jacintha complacently,
as she pushed open the ponderous
church-door, and ran plump into the
arms of a rather stout, elderly gentle
man, with q bald spot on the top of his
head.
"Hey-what-madameT pulled the
! gentleman, who was no other than Mr..
Geoffry Theobald himself
"Where-where is my niece?" de-
manded Miss Jacintha, nearly fainting
with surprise and alarm.
How the deuce do you suppose I
know where your niece is? Where is
my nephew, l say?
But | shut her up here" groaned
Miss Caramel desperately, land she's
gOne!"
"Shut her up?' sputtered Uncle
Geoffry. why, shut him up to keep
him away from her, and"
| Then it all came out.
And of course they're married by
this time" sobbed Miss Jacintha, WHIP
ing her eyes.
Choleric rs he was, Uncle Geoffry
could not stand the sight of woman's
tears.
Don don't cry" he begged.
Whereupon Miss Jacintha only cried
the more.
| IC1