The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-12-22
BIFFvS ELOPEMENI'.

When young Mr.. Carsnith, to whom the
boyish sobriquet Of "Bif," for Blatchford,
rlung with embarrassing tenacity, began
paying Ills addresses to Miss Charlotte
Wade, daughter Of Joseph Wade, the con
tractor and builder everybody, with but
one exception, pronounced them well
matched, for Miss Charlotte, though an
Emiable and meritoriouy young lady, was
rs much Of an enigma aud as hopelessly
giddy as her lover.
Darling" said BiT one moonlight
night rs he gaaei hard at the floor of the
porch Enthusiastically decorated with grape.
vine shadows, " can't understand your
father. You are afraid to speak to him
about our marriage, and Pm sure If I'd
ask him he'd thunder MOI and then knock
me down. Whatdoyou say to running offp
And getting marriedw
"Surep
"Oh, that would be ever so nicel, ex-
claimed the romantic miss, overjoyed at
the prospect of an affair exactly suited to
her disposition. But you don't mean to-
night, BifTy2"
mo, hardly so soon, sweetness. Suppose
we say week from next Thursday"
Biffy, dear, but Tuesday is lodge night
with papa, you know, and l was think
ing"--
"Why, certainly" assented the blissful
youth; well make it week from Tues
day night. The old gentleman gets in
late, tired out, and he'll sleep like brick,
and I'll have II horse and buggy here at
let me see-yes, at 1 o'clock to take you
away. You will have your things all
packed, and-and-who shall we get to
marry usW
"pll never consent TO having anybody
but minister" said Charlotte.
Whats the matter with n justice of the
peace" queried Bif roguishly.
"Oh, just won't have him." calculated
his companion, bringing her foot forcibly
| down on a weak, struggling moonbeam.
THE idea Of being married by a.
well, then, that's settled" said BifT,
with ready acquiescence "But will it be
safe to try any Of the ministers here in
town."
"Pm afraid not, said Charlotte musing-
ly. Suppose we have Mr.. Oliphant per-
form the ceremony at Adrian. 1t is only
twenty.one miles from here"
"a great idear' cried Bif rapturously.
splendid schemel Oliphant is just the
mankind hearted, knows us well and
will do the right thing by us. Oh, Char.
lotte, you're an angelp
So, with few minor matters discussed
and settled, the elopement-the bona fide
elopement, with ladder, midnight ride and
| all-was on, and Mr.. Wade, unsuspecting
| old man, would soon be bound to congrat-
ulate them or-whistle. Meeting his
| friend, Charlie Strong, on the street short
ly afterward BiG, in strict confidence,
opened his heart to him. Charlie had
another friend, "and his friend had o
friend"
Sunday night preceding the fated Tues
day came round and found the lovers to-
gether with something to talk about.
Darling" inquired Charlotte in tender
est accents and with that sweet, restful
confidence one is apt to repose in the judg-
ment Of their future husband. shall try
to pack all my things in a valise"
'If it can be done, certainly" Biff an
swered firmly, as a man with an apprecia-
tion of the force of great responsibility
should do; carrying trunk is out of the
question"
eve must try and remember to get our
license" continued Charlotte.
'I've attended to that Tomorrow at 10
o'clock it will be ready"
Perhaps, dear, it would better be left
with me for safe keeping. 1t may get lost,
you know"
''That's fact. I'm liable to leave it in
the wrong coat pocket at home. Meet me
at the postofIice tomorrow and I'll hand
you the paper" said Biff as he arose to
depart.
With fond embraces and mutual pledges
they separated. 1t was a long, long wait
till midnight on Tuesday, but that hour
got round at last, and soon thereafter came
the audacious youth in a trim Livery rig,
stopping and hitching his horse to the
branch of an old locust tree at the end of
the lane. The darkness was about right
and the weather perfect. Satisfying him
self that all was quiet and everything as it
should be for the execution of his project
bravely BiH strobe toward a clump of tail
evergreens, within the gloom of which re.
posed the peaceful home Of Joseph Wade,
contractor and builder.
Beneath the shadow Of q stately pine the
young man paused, for he had twenty min
utes to spare. Standing there in the dark
and all alone Biz ruminates. He wonders
If it is right TO take this girl away from
her parents, leaving them utterly discon-
solate, and with no alternative but to quiet
ly submit to the inevitable. He intends to
try and make Charlotte happy, in hopes
that she may never repent the step about
to be taken, but is that Il sufficient recon-
pense for parental griefP Here is great
moral question; but the abstruse nature of
the proposition proving too much for Biff
he gives it up.
AS the appointed hour approached our
hero, with conscientious scruples safely
put away, sailed forth from his place of
rconcealment Going in the direction of the
carriage house, where the ladder custom
arily was kept, quite unexpectedly that
convenient auxiliary in such enterprises
was found leaning against the side of the
house only short distance from Char
lotte's window.
Hello" said Biff to himself, quietly
lifting the ladder and placing it beneath
the window of his sweetheart's room,
luck is with me or this thing wouldn't
have been placed so close at hand. Now
for the signal"
Three sharp taps on the brick pavement
brought to view shadowy form in the
opening above Hastily Biff scaled the
ladder, but upon reaching the easement
instead of his girl bundle confronted
him.
rs that you. CharlotteH" was the anx-
ious inquiry.
"Yes."
whats this'" in a stage whisper.
"My shawl. darling"