New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-13
AN UNCERTAIN BRIDE.

Next TO nothing Is being done III el0p'fnehts'
An clopemcnt Of the first order has not been re-
ported for nearly six weeks. The reason for inns
unprecedented state of affairs is not clear Elopc-
mcnt, like everything else, is subject to fnctua-
tons but what practically amounts TO n complete
cessation has never been before recorded Elope-
mont seemed TO stop with the attempt of two
Pttsburg young men to elope with the same glri
NJ the same hour. They wore out their buggy
whips on each other, and then went away. very
much cut up young mon, somewhat Disguised
vopro men but on the whole considerably wiser
voupr men. Perhaps this served as terrible
warning TO other young men, and thus we may
occount for the suspension Of this form OF amuse-
mcnt But Notwithstanding the stagnatlon IN elOpe-
mcnt nrocccdings there still remains an OCCASIONAL
bnnrcninr OF interest 10 the thoughtful student OF
motrmnnial affairs We may here refer to certain
occurrences in the Lick neighborhood. In Indiana
County. Pennsylvania.
Miss Clara Mitchell has for several years been
regarded as the belle of the village OF Two LICK
For some time She mas had lover in the person oil
Iobn n Reed of One Lick There has also been
another man who has paid her d'sulfory attention.
one James Gibson. who lives over at Jones LICK
This Gibson has never been considered as SERIOUSLY
- ,hc roce bv the gossps of the Lclls though
"Grandma~ Magson. OF Big Lick. has always t"Id
tho folks 10 keep an eye on that there Jim
Gibson But nobody paid much attention u what
Mrs NaQson said, because she had insisted Tor
t,yo wears that Carson Bundav would marry Jane
Si,ors whereas six months ago he ran away with
Louisc Drnkwalther. Last Monday was 10 he the
wedding day Of John Il. Reed and Miss Mitchell
large number Of friends had Assembled lhe
Rev Mr. ShaiIer of Black Bear Lick. was on hanu
and in the best OF spirits. The hour Tor 'r
ceremony was approaching when James "l"s"h
drove no in buggy, drawn ~ Will''-ilc'd h"'S''
lie came in and after talking lew minutes WIN
no hride thc company was asonishcd To see her
walk away with him and get into the puSGy' a','r
which ,bcy drove or Tie hridcsro nm, clal in The
conventional black, was particularly aS'onisheu'
and remarked. in the hearing of everybody. That
agoirs had taken "A turn that he had scarcely
oxnected. However. he proposed dinner
on ,bcv all sat down 10 the rcpast
Tbere WAS an empty chair by the side of John
u Rood bnt hc did not seem to mind 1t much ana
,otl,od cbccrfulIv about the Mckinley bill ana
,Ler kindred subjects When dinner was finished
ho remarked that he felt better. At this point
Miss Mitchell walked in, having returned from
hcr ride Reed asked her If She was ready 10
90 on with the ceremony. and she SAID mat sue
was not. ms the question had arisen IN her hihu
whether she would better marry him or "ipson'
Reed advised her 10 think it over ana le' MN
know the next day, SO the company dispersed ana
went 10 their respective Iicks. The next day the
Rev Mr. ShafIcr was Informed that the wedding
marty was again ready and was waiting for him
IIe drove over. but just as he entered Two Lick
lac met Reed who told him that the young lady
WAS still undecided and had asked for another
extension while she looked into her young heart
and asccrtancd it's exact condition. AS for him
scIf Reed said that he had decided 10 draw on
The reverend gentleman then went to see tlb-
SON thinking that possibly marriage might yet
he patched mp in some way, but Gibson also de-
cllned. saying that he was positively ont Of the
race. This intelligence being. conveyed 10 Miss
Mitchell, she did not seem at all disturbed, but
remarked that by getting about four yards of
black lace and putting it over her wedding gown
IT, would make "a delightful dress, and she didn't
care, anyhow.
IT, will not surprise the reader to he told that
the affair has caused a great amount Of gossip
in thc Iicks and that Grandma MagsOn, of Big
Lick is rcgaining prestige prophet. But the
question naturally arises among outsiders, are such
affairs as this going to take the place of clope-
mcnts? II so, we say, give us back Opponents
II disarranges n mans plans to have his bride
snatched away at the altar, and if no other man
gains anything, where is the benefit? The idea
must not be encouraged. Young ladies must
give bonds to carry out their part of the contract
at the time of the engagement.