The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-01-12
A "SASSIETY" JOURNAL.
How the Great Tomnoddy Wedding
Was Reported.

Mr.. Roderick Macaulay was an
nOyed. He had two causes for vexa-
ton just then, one connected with his
journal and one with his daughter.
For MI. Macaulay was not only the
proprietor of the Evening Blazer, a
profitable and popular paper, but the
father of very charming daughter,
Grace, who had turned the age of
twenty. As 10 proprietorship. Grace
generally asserted her ownership of
him; but just now the father was in a
state of rebellion. The journal gave
him very little trouble, and brought
him in lots of money. He had a man.
aging editor who understood his bust
ness. and who was scapegoat when
ever one of the blunders of the pro-
prietor. who would interfere. produced
disastrous consequences. To balance
that, Mr.. Macaulay always appropri-
ated the glory of his managing ed
itor's successes 10 himself His daugh-
ter gave him no end of trouble, and
cost him a heap of money. He did
not grudge the expense; but when she
Informed him that she had accepted
Mr.. Frank Elton as a husband elect.
and expected the paternal consent it
was too much for any man to stand.
For Mr.. Frank Elton. though a brig hit
young fellow enough. active as a two
x-oorolJ colt and hold nc or;n,;poI civ
had no prospects. He was only what
actors would call "a utility man" on
the Blazers staff; or as he put it, Il
make myself necessary. If the leader
writer fell sick. Frank filled his place,
and did it very we'll. If the city editor
went off ION drunk" which he did
once n month-being the best around,
this little eccentricity was overlooked
Frank "bossed' the city department.
But his great work lay in the report
ing of social events, the balls, kettle
drums, weddings, funerals. and other
pleasant sRsaaions. His accounts were
msr,e!o of Jenkinsism, especially his
description of the ladies' dresses,
which would have done credit to
mantuamaker They had made the
Ridzer's reputation in ''sassiety."
DECIDEDLY, as a member of the staff,
Frank was highly useful. But Mr.
Macaulay objected to him as a son-in-
law. For Frank had met Grace
ut one of these gatherings.
and impressed her. They had
gradually grown intimate. The father
found it out through some good
natured friend. and interposed q veto.
He was astounded when Grace told
him fatty that she would have Frank
or no one, and that when she was
twenty-one, and mistress of the snug
little sum left by her mother, she
would be married with the parental
consent, or without it.
Bad enough; but the vexation con-
nected with the Blazer was bad also.
That journal was to be prevented from
showing its strong point. Miss Gwen
loline Tomnoddy was to be led to the
altar by Mr.. Alfred Toplofty. This
was TO be the event of the season. The
Tomnoddys and the Toploftvs were the
cream of the cream of .sassiety." To
be sure, the grandfather of Gwendo-
line had laid the foundation of his fort
une by a successful contract in street
cleaning; that is to say. it was success
ful so far as his bank account was
concerned. People had called him s
''screwing old scavenger." but he died
worth a million; and his only son, by
lucky purchases of mining shares, had
multiplied the amount by ten. And
Gwendoline was an only child. A mill
ion gives responsibility. no matter how
gained, for dirt does not stick to gold;
and ten millions give a patent of
nobility in any land where money is
king and honesty has become q rag
picker. As for the Toploftys, there
was not a blot on their family
escutcheon. They had only toiled in
signing cheques and cutting off cou-
pons. The wedding was to be great
affair. and glowing account of it was
N, eded, if the Blazer was to keep up
us TtputtllOu.
But there was a bar TO free journal
ism. and check TO the spirit of in
quiry. The Toploftys insisted that
while all 'sassiety" and his wife
should be invited. the press should be
barred ont No profane reporter
should set his foot within the charmed
circle. Those invited to the church,
or to the wedding breakfast, were
upon honor not to give the reporters
points" The only thing that leaked
out was that Peter O. Rourke. the
great florist had carte blanche as to
floral decoration at the church and
house; but there was nothing new in
that, for o Rourke had the custom of
'sassiety" before all his brethren.
Every attempt TO get a Judgment
failed. aud The Blazer people were in
despair.