St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-11-15
THE BEST MAN.
How Young Van Bibber Assisted
q Boston Lochinvar.

Young Van Bibber came back to town
from Newport the other day to see his
lawyer about the disposal Of some prop
erty that needed his sanction. He found
the city very hot and drcary and empty.
He had to wait over for an afternoon
train, and as he was downtown he de-
cided to lunch 1T . French restaurant
near Washington square. where some
one told him you could get particular
things particularly well-cookcd. The
tables were set on terrace with plants
and flowers about them and covered
with . tri-colored awning. There were
no jangling horss-car bells nor dust to
disturb him, and almost all tho other
tables were unoccupied. The walters
leaned against these tables and chatted
in . French argot and . cool breeze
blew through tho plants and beloved
tho awning. SO that on the whole Van
Bibber was glad he had come.
When he had given his order he
leaned back and surveyed the other
dinerA There was IN old Frcnchman
scolding over his late breakfast, two
young artists with Van Dyke boards,
who ordered tho most remarkable things
in the same French argot that the wait
ers spoke. and young lady and . young
gentleman 1T the table next to his own.
The mans back was toward him, and he
could see only the girl when the youth
moved to one side. She WAS very young
and very pretty, and she seemed in
most excited state Of mind from the tip
of her wide-brimmed, pointed French
hat to the points Of her patent-lcather
lies. She was strikingly well.brcd in
appearance, and Van Bibber wondered
why she should be dining alone with so
young . man.
at wasn't my fault" said the youth,
earnestly; I'D no idea he would be out
Of town, and. anyway, 1t really doesn't
matter. There are other clergymen In
the city besides your cousin"
'Of course" said the girl. almost tear
fully; but they're not my cousin and
he is. and tina: would havc made IL so
much-oh. 90 very much different I'm
awfully scared"
Runaway couple, BY Jover' COM
mentcd Van Bibber; most Interesting.
Read about EN- often; never seen 'em.
Most interesting"
He bent his head over an entrce, but
he could not help hearing what fol-
lowed, for the young runaways were in
different to all around them, and though
he ratified his knife and fork In most
vulgar manner. they did not hear him
nor lower their voices.
'Well, what are you going to do?r
said the girl, severely. but not unkind-
ly; ut doesn't seem to me that you are
exactly rising to the occasion"
swell. / don't know" answered the
youth; ''we're safe here. anyway. No
body we know ever comes here, and II
they did. they are out Of town, now.
You 60 on snd eat something. and I'll
get directory and look up lot OF cler-
gymen's addresses, and then VIC can
make out . list and drive around in .
cab until VIC fnd one who has not gone
on on his vacation"
They'll never forgive u.s." said the
girl
.Oh. we'll, that's all right" exclaimed |
the young man. cheerfully; really.
you're the most uncomfortable young |
woman I ever ran away with. One
might think you were going to funer-
Al. You were willing enough two days
lgo. and now you're sorry you came"
mo. not sorry, exactly" said the
girl: ''but, indeed. Ted. It is going to
make SO much talk. II We only had
girl with US, or IL you had best man,
Dr. II wo had witnessed N thew do in
England, and parish registry, or some
hing Of that sort; OF. II Cousin Harold
aad only been 1t home 10 do tho mar
'ying."
The young gentleman called Ted did
hot look. judging from the expression
i his shoulders. Is il he were having .
'ery good time.
He called the waiter and told him to
ring directory. and Is he turned 70
i've the order, Van Bibber recognised
lin and he recognized Van Bibber. Van
sibber knew him for . very nice boy Of
cry good Boston family named Stand
81. and the younger Of two SOFAS II
ras the elder who was Van Bibberb
articular friend Tho girl saw moth.
nG Of this mutual recognition. for she
'as looking with startled eyes ct han
ON that had dashed up tho side street
nd was turning the corner.
''Tedl oh. Ted!" she gasped; Its your
ROthes. Thoeoj II thAt hansen. Il,