The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-07-22
MRS. E1TZJOlINsON'k ER.spPE
MENT.


MFRS. FlTZJOMNsON'S Ea.sDPE-
NlENT.
The wedding went off beautifully
There were triumphal arches, rejoicing
tenantry, and school children scattering
flowers. There was charol service, a
Bishop "a colonial-on sick leave-step.
great-uncle of the bridegroom, rural
Dean first cousin once removed of the
bride), and a ritualistc curate. An cpl
thalamium, composed by the schoolmas-
ter, was sung commencing
"On this festive occasion,
With roses and rice,
We offer Oblation
To the bride of his choice"
pronounced "chice," from exigency of
rhyme.) The oldest inhabitent, in a
clean smock frock, dispensed blessings
and imbibed beer with praiseworthy prod
igality. Everything that human inge-
nuity could devise or custom countenance
was done to render the "happy day -
memorable for its discomfort to the con
tracing parties. In spite of this, the
bride looked as charming as sweet seven
teen can look when it tries it's best, and
considering that she, so to speak, stepped
out of the school.room into the church,
carried herself with commendable self
possession. AS for the bridegroom, he
went through the ordeal like a soldier
and man, and looked, according to the
doctors daughter, heavenly" Not the
least satisfied member Of the wedding
party was the brides brother, Joey "The
girls must look slippy after husbands in
these hard times" had been that young
mans remark year before. Spurred on
by parental murmurings at empty farms
and no rents, Joey had suggested re-
duction in the home establishment instead
of his substantial but inadequate allow
ance. The establishment did not quite
see it, but Joey was firm. The girls must
marry, and one of them, as all could not,
must marry Geoffery FitzJ Johnson. He was
in every way eligible-young, good-look-
ing, well off, in a snug berth at the War
Office, and heir to several rich and scdate
relations, unlikely to commit the inds-
cretiOns, matrimonial and otherwise, of
modern old age. So Captain FitzJohn-
son was asked down to Mumblcthorpe,
passed over five charming asprants to his
hand and heart, and threw the handker-
chief to the schock-headed young person
who sent a pot of musk within an inch of
his devoted head, cranlng out of the
school-room window, on the evening of
his arrival, to catch a glimpse of "Joey's
chum." 1t was rather blow to Joey,
his "chum' walking off with his favor
4 l,rf ho llxr
He had always intended to exercise
particular care over FlOrric's interests
when she came out, and he was not pre-
pared for the young lady going off so
prematurely. However, the Fitz.J ohm
sons would live in London, and as Joey
was at the Foreign Office AID in rooms in
Bury street, he could still keep an eye on
his sister and see that she held her own
in the "smart set" of which her husband
was so popular a member. Joey was ten
years older than Florrie, and had the ma
jestic carriage and law-giving proclvi-
ties of man about town. He was what
is known as ga great institution" which
means that he was invaluable in a snow
bound country house. He could tell
first-rate and frst-hand ghost stories, and
could pass the severest examination in
Debrett He was a pillar Of strength
in private theatricals, and could initiate
the divine Sarah to the life. He knew all
the latest gossip and could tell it without
seeming ill-natured. In short, Joey was
that rdrd aois, a social success.
A happier couple than the FitzJohn-
sons, when they first came to Curzon
street, could not be imagined. 1t was
only when Captain FitzJ ohnson settled
down in his new house and his old set that
he made the gratifying discovery that he
had won his wife's heart as well az her
hand. During the courtship and honey
moon the disposition of that important
factor in matrimonial happiness had been
doubtful. Florrie teased, chaffed and
commanded her husband in a way that
to such conquering hero was both novel
and provoking. Captain FitzJ Johnson
had, however, learned strategy elsewhere
than at Woolwich. The morning after
the arrival in London the willy young man
left his wife in her boudoir--the latest
thing in boudoirs, executed under Joey's
wondering dismally how she
should kill the time until o'clock in the
evening, when she was told she might
look forward to seeing her lord and mas
ter again. 1t was something more than
to fetch a forgotten cigarette case that
made Captain FitzJohnson retrace his
steps on arriving at the foot of the stairs.
His instinct had not deceived him. The
fortress had capitulatcd.
81 love You so, Godfrey" sobbed the
poor little wife with her head on her hus-
bands shoulder; and Geofrey, as he
strolled down the street, having promised
to be back by luncheon time, hummed
Rule, Britannia" in triumphant soto
voce. The victory won, the victor, as he
had perfect right to do, rested upon his
laurels; but he Iced not have given up 80
suddenly the reverential worship of the
lover and assumed 80 instantly the conde-
scending tolerance of the husband. 1t
was unkind of him when he came home
Just in time to dress for dinner, after hav-
ing been at the club all the afternoon, TO
plunge into-that horrid French novel with
q satisfied grunt, and barely vouchsafe his
wife word. It was downright rude OF
him when she leaned over his chair and
stroked his hair to snarl out savagely :
" For heavens sake, Florrie, don't paw
,..n abo,,t l;kn that don't like IL ~ and