Dodge City times., 1888-01-12
A "SASSIETY" JOURNAL.
How the Great Tomnoddy Wedding
Was Reported.


Was Reported.
Mr.. Roderick Macaulay was an
snoyed He had two causes for veXa-
tion just then, one connected with his
journal and one with his daughter.
For Nh. 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 to 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 busi-
ness. and who was scapegoat when
ever one of tho blunders of the pro-
prictor. who would interfere. produced
disastrous consequences. To balance
that Mr.. Macaulay always apprOpri-
ated the glory of his managing ed
itor's successes TO himself Hi, daugh-
ter gave him no end of trouble, and
cost him heap of money. He did
not grudge the expense; but when she
Informed him that she had accepted
Mr.. Frank Elton as husband-e elect,
and expected the paternal consent, it
was too much for any man to stand.
For Mr.. Frank Elton. though a brig Int
young fellow enough. active rs q two
year-old colt and bold as original sin.
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" Ifthe leader
writer fell sick, Frank filled his place.
and did it very well. If 1.-THE city editor
went off ION drunk" which he did
once 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 ofGaaions. His accounts were
marre,s of Jenkinsism, especially his
desert ption of the ladies' dresses,
which would have done credit to Il
zmantuamakcr. They had made the
Biazer's reputation in ''sassiety."
nccidely. as member of the staff,
Frank was highly useful. But Mr..
Macaulay obj ected to him as son-in-
law. For Frank had met Grace
at one of these gatherings.
and impressed her They had
gradually grown intimate Tho father
found it out through some good
na.ured friend. and interposed veto.
He was astoundel when Grace told
him ilatly 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-
nectcd with the Blazer was bad also.
That journal was to be prevented from
showing its strong point. Miss Gwen
.Lolne Tomnodtly was to be led to the
altar by Mr. Alfred Toplofty. This
was 10 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 successful contract in street
clearing; that is to say. it was success
-ful so far rs his bank account was
concerned. People had called him a
''screwing old scavenger. but he died
worth Il million; and his only son. by
lucky purchases of mining shares. had
multiplied the amount by ten. And
aGwendoline was an only child A mill
ion gives responsibility. no matter how
gained. for dirt does not stick to gold;
and ten millions give patent of
nobility in any land where money is
king and honesty has become 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 n glowing account of it was
needed. if the Blazer was to keep up
Its reputation.
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 out 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 Rourkc. the
great florist, had carte blanche as to
floral decoration at the church and
shouse; but there was nothing now In
that for o Rourke had the custom of
..saseiety" before all his brethren.
Every attempt to get a lodgment
failed. aud the Blazer people were in
despais