The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-28

don't care for wedding tours, do weY"
The major looked piteously ut his better
half and made no answer. She, however.
waited for none, but drew him along with
II quiet determination that augured ill for
the future
Give me the key to the room, my dear"
said Mrs. Pettigrew Teller. "I'd better
keep it in future
The major handed over the key without
Il word of remonstrance. and his elderly
wife opened the door,
We'll slick up things little" said
Mrs. Teller, bundling the majors beloved
papers together and pitching his box of ci-
gars out of the window.
"Eut, Miss Patience'-
"Whaty"
"My dear wife. meanp'
All yes What were you about to re-
mark"
my cigars-I"-
"Oh. well, I don't like smoke-never
did"
But what arc you doing with my slip
pers?"
Trying 'em on-thcy at me so nicely.
Guess I'll keep 'em, Sempronius. I wish
you'd take MI these coats and things ont
of the wartirolsc-I want it for my dresses
But where shall keep them. Mise
IN -
What did yop sayin
Mrs. Teller, would remark"
"Oh, under the bed or somewhere Pink
soap, chs-1 prefer castile-coloune-G
man-cold cream. Who'd IA supposed you
were such dandy, Sempronius? You
must have plenty of money. BY the way,
suppose you give me the money to keep
now, my dear! III manage it a great denl
more economically than you'll he likely
to-"
''But"-
"Give me the money, sayp'
Major Teller meekly put his hand into
his pocket and submissively handed over
the purse.
well, now, you'd better go about your
business" said the gentle bride "and not
come home till teatime-I do abominatc
men loungng around in the way forever.
and don't come back smelling of tobacco,
If you know what is good for yourself,
Sempronius Teller"
The major crcpt silently away, thinking
how, the last time he crossed that thresh-
old. he was free man, and nov.
"I'm marrictl!" unused Major Teller. al
couldn't help: It. 1t wasn't my fault 5ut
here am, no money, no cigars, no freedom
worse than any galley slave Sixty years
Pettigrew!"
He walked disconsolately down the
street, both hands in his empty pockets
and his hat tipped recklcssly down over
his eyes. A greater contrast could hardly
have been imagined than existed between
this slovenly, seedy, wretched looking man
and the trim, cheerful little Major Teller
of six hours ago! He caught a fleetinp
glimpse of himself in q mirror belonging
to some picture frame store as he sauntered
by-it startled even himself
81 wouldn't have known myself" he
muttered gloomily. "Well-I'm married
now-married to Patience Pettigrew!"
He stopped ut the street corner, uncer-
tain which way to go. But as he gazed the
bright, steely glimpse of the river caught
his eye.
"All right" muttered Sempronius mood
lily. "pll 20 and drown myself; it's short
way ont of long lane of difficulty. Any
thing but going back to-Patience Petit
crew.
He went down with long, determined
strides toward the shining, broad stream.
where the ships lay peacefully mt anchor
and the little boats shot hither and thither
and the waves sparkled up like sheets of
diamonds. All these things Major Teller
saw without marking them, as he made
resolutely for the pier
"Want Il boat, sir?" demanded a sturdy
man.
Yes" said the major; ~ want Charon's
boat, to row me over Styxp'
Don't know him. sir" said the puzzled
bOatnan, but mines sound and light.
and"-
The major waited to hear no more, but
gave blind, downward jump.
Down. down with that peculiar sensa-
tion of falling so familiar to us all-down
-down-until-
BEG pardon, sir, but the church is going
to he shut up. and everybody's gone. Hope
you have had good nap, sir!"
The sexton spoke satirically, but in his
tones Major Teller recognized hope and
freedom. He started wildly to his feet
'Then am not married, after all. sex
TOM"
Married, sir! Not unless you have been
married in your dreamsr'
THAT'S it, eXactlyv" calculated the ma
ior, jumping up; Give been asleep and
drcaming!'
Major Teller satisfied the sexton with a
donation whose liberality astonished even
that parsonage, and went at once to the
- hotel to engage rooms.
III send for my things" he thought.
II won't 20 back to that house, lest Miss
Patience Pettgrew should do something
desperate. Pm not married, and l don't
mean to be marriedr'
The major was right. Discretion is the
better part of valor-and Miss Patience
Pettigrew remains Miss Patience Petit
grew still! But Major Teller goes to
church very regularly now.-True Flag
Locking the Door by Electricity.
An ingenious lock has been invented by
which doors, etc, may be locked and I'M
locked from q diStaucc alectricallu IL 10