The Somerset reporter., 1891-01-22

not make much difference. Charley Eaif
nothing except, 1.-THE carriage Is at b,
door," when | came down. OF cour-e
after sl the fuss had made, | could DO
say lba. it was too early to go. though
knew very well that IL was, and was quak
ing inwardly all the WY.
Don't you think 1t would be pleasant
to drive around by Washington squafef
said in desperation.
"Washngton square" exclaimed Char
ley. Are you mad, Lsliar Why not BY
Philad, lphia at oncet Washington squar,
is miles out of our way"
As If that was not just my object
could not explain myself, however, SO
kept still and we drove to our destination
by the shortest route. OF course, II,
house was dark when he reached It, III,
hostess entirely unprepared TO receive US
aud the waiter who let us in equally sur
prised and contemptuous at our untimell
arrival. OF course, we had the pleasure
of spending solitary hour, In the ladies'
room, and Charley In the gentlemen
dressing room, before we dared descend
Even then we were among the earlies
guests.
II begin to feel the reward of virtue al
ready" said Charley. as we te cended tn
carriage is ordered for one, and I'll b,
sure and be ready"
He was-and was rot. | me an old
friend, and we were in the middle of t
most interesting conversation. She was
only In New York en- PEASANT, and
should not see her again. 1t was very
provoking to be obliged TO break off ii
| tie middle of our talk but how cnuli
| t,I hot I at lI u L her ht
stood waiting with that air of consclou.
virtue2 1t was beyond my powers, and
a0surd as it was, l had to say goodbye
to Annie and go.
bad not supposed at first that Char
l.y's reformation was permanent, but as
the days went on, | was forced to confess
that 1t looked very much as If 1t were
Promptly as the clock struck six in the
evening he entered the house; promptly
as it truck nine in the morning he left
it, No euireaiies could d. tain him an in
slant beyond this time.
mo, Leila my dear WIS his inyari'
able reply. al have already wasted toe
much of my life by unpunctuality. Yeu
have convinced me Of my error Why
strive now to undo the good which you
have DONE"
OF course, such sentiments ought to
have delighted my heart, and they did in
measure. Ouly in a measure, however
must confess, for | tessn to think tina,
we shoul be known everywhere as 1.-THE
eslly birds" 1t was unnecessary to urge
Challe to get ready for anything. We
were III ways the first in church; we welt
waiting at the doors of operas and thea
tres long before they were open; at par
| ri q IA Ii
custom to spend from half an hour to ar
hour in tie dressing-room, IN order tC
descend with the earliest guests. And
Charley was continually expstiating on
the sweet reward Of virtue, and thank
ing me for teaching him the beauty of
punctuslity. l spent myself In vain
wonderings to how long this state of
hings was to last but OF course II can c
to climax finally.
| NV oldest and most intimate friend,
Tina Vorripger, WIS to be married, and
Charley and had vowed in the most sci
emn manner to attend the wedding. Tina
| lived at Muntclsir, and 1t was theIc, of
coul Sc, that the ceremony was to take
place.
''Do you think that niue O'Clock will be
ca, " enough to start from lere," asked
Charley meekly.
Nine O'Clock. My dear Charley, she
is not to e married until one, and Mont
clair is only an hour away"
II know" said Charley, "but was anx
ious to be in lime. fink we had bettel
start at nine, to make sure"
swallowed my chagrip as best could
aud submitted. 1t WAS not "a pleasant day
If were not afraid Of exaggeratipg,
should sly that it WAS a decidedly unpleas
ant one, being cold and gray, damp ant
chilly, with that chlliness which goe:
through your bones. Already few stra,
snow tial es were fluttering down, giving
promise OF settled storm later in the
day
The depot at Hoboken is not specially
exhilarating place to wait in; but Charley
settled himself comfortably with his pa
per upon one of the straight up-and- down
settees, saying, owe need not take too
early train, but it is well to be on hand
even If we do reach Montcair too soon
We can walk about and see the place, you
know
Walk about and see the Il lace on such a
day / said nothing but | inwsrdly de-
cded that we would not take too early a
train. At least we were warm and
sheltered where we were, and who knew
what he might find at the other endf
While was settling this point in my own
mind, the door at the end of the room
was flung open, and Charley sprang to
his feet.
Come" he said eve might as well
take this train, after all;" and before |
could find words in which to couch my
objections without giving the lie to all
the fixed principles of my life, we were
In the cars.
Charley was buried in his newspaper
and was gazing from the window upon
the fast whitening meadows, when the
conductor paused before US with de-
mand for "tickets." They were ready to
hand but the conductor gazed upon them
blankly.
"Where tor" lie asked briefly.
"Montciair," replied Charley, with equal
brevity.
wrong train. Yours left ten minutes
later from the other door. You'd better
get out al Newark, and take it there. If
you miss 1t, there'll be another along in
forty minutes"
ut is fortunate that we have plenty of
time" said Char ley to me, as the conduct
or left us. Aren't you glad that | have
reformed In regard to punctuality"
"Oh, very glad! p issid with slight
tinge Of irony, and adding inwardly "es-
pecially II IL leads you to take the wrong
train rather than wait for the right one"
We got out at Newark and took the
nextstran that came along. Being the
next, we made sure that it must be the
right one but 1t wasn't. That train land
ed us at Orange, whore we spent quiet
hour before another Newark bound train
picked us up.
You see, dear" said Charley,"I 90 up
on your principle of always being in.time
II we keep on taking the first train that
comes along, We shall be sure to get there
sometime-if not in time for the wedding
then, perhaps in time for the funeral of
all the family
1--WE sbsl certainly5not be in time for
the wedding at this rate" said, half
laughing and hslf crying. Suppose by
way of variety We try the effect of taking
the last tramp
what aud abandon principle? Never !.
cried Chsiley. "However, l think we
will inquire before We try again"
We did inquire, but with the result of
finding that the next train which 1t woul |
be possible for US to take would not
reach Montclair until half an hour after
the time set for the wedding.
"Shall we try III" asked Charley cheer
fully. 1.-THE wedding may he d, layed, you
know. Tie groom may be unpunctual, or
something"
fairly broke down at that.
mo, we will not" said,"I don't want
10 60 dragging in just at the tail of the
ceremony. I'm cold and tired and wretch
ed, and want to go home.
Twas cell and tired and wretched but
WAS more than that, l WAa thornuphly In