The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-10-06


said Miss Hannah Hedgey, sagely wagging
her head. 6 never was bride myself,
but I've some idee how one feels"
Seven o'clock came. The invited COM
pany was ON the spot. The odor of coffee
being made pervaded the house like gales of
Araby. Major Follett had brewed mon-
ster bowl of punch and put a dozen bottles
of champagne on the ice. Mrs. Follett was
very uncomfortable in her silver-gray silk
gown, which the dress-Inaker had cut about
an inch and half too tight. The bride
maids whispered and giggled. Poor jamie
sat like statue behind the fieeey folds OF
her veil and neither spoke nor stirred. Halt
past seven came-eight struck. The second
train from New York was in stil Mr..
Prodgitt hadn't arrived
Major Follett was a shoit-tempered man.
g I'll not be trifled with, y said he. mo
man alive shall play fast and loose with my
daughter. At nine o'clock precisely there
shall be wedding in this house Prodgitt Oh
no Prodgitt %
Nine o'clock arrived, ON the grand old
principle that Father Time stands still for
nobody. 1t was clear case of "no Prod
gitt.n
Philip Peters stepped up to the iratt
Major
Sir" said he, " if there is to be bride.
groom here may suggest myself as cam
iidate ~
Major Follett wiped his reeking brow for
at least the five-and-twentieth time. He
ground his tecth,-his little eyes flashed
fire.
&C If jamie is willing, l ami" said he. l
should like to show this upstart of Prod
gift fellow that folks can do without him !"
Phil Peters stopped down, with his lips
close to Janie's ear.
Are you willing, jamie ?" he whispered,
and the answer came softly back
"Yes, Phil"
So they were married. There was no
lack, now, of roses on the BRIDES cheek or
brightness in her eye. Never was brighter
or merrier wedding, gayer party and
Major Follett himself, after the second
bottle of Champagne, proposed the health
of Mr.. and Mrs. Philip Peters in a set speech
which astounded everybody.
1t was just week afterward that Mr..
Prodgitt arrived with huge trunk, hat
box, and new wig of glossy chestnut hair
Major Follett met him at the door.
"Sir," said he, :" / am ut loss to inn
agine your business herel"
"Didn't you expect me ?" said Mr.. Prod
gift.
"No, sir, didn't said the major.
81 telegraphed week ago." said MIR.
Prodgitt. Il"
"Yes. sir" said the stern-eyed major;
1--WE received your telegram. Here it is.
Where were you ~
why, I'm here |" said Mr.. Prodgitt,
with an exceedingly puzzled air. " 1t says
Tuesday, don't IL? And this is Tuesday"
g Yes, sir" shouted the major, land
that was Tuesday. And it was my daugh.
ter's wedding-day. Folks don't get ready
to be married here, sir, and invite all their
friends, without getting married. She is
Mrs. Philip Peters now p
If Mr.. Prodgitt's hair had been his own,
he would have torn it franticaily. Under
the circumstances, he dealt gently with his
wig and merely smote his brow.
didn't put in the dateY he walled;
Tuesday, the tenth !"
Don't know anything about Tuesday,
the tenth y said Major Follett, swelling out
like pouter pigeon. 8 Your telegram said
Tuesday. My daughter was married on
Tuesday, the third. That's all know. And
now, if you've no particular business, /
must beg you to excuse me-"
And so, by the merest inadvertence, Mr..
Prodgitt lost his wife. He went away I'M
welded, and remained unwedded to the last
day of his life.
jamie Follett suited me exactly" said
he. 81 don't care fig for any other
woman"
But this was exactly the case with Phil
Peters, too