Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-10-07
TO foot and then solemnly shook his head

siueratlon Are you able TO support
wife Do you know that my daughter
dresses alone cost, last year, Eve hun
dred dollars"
The old gentleman thought he had
me there, but he didn't.
Yes, sir !" | answered meekly, al
advised her to get them"
"Ah, ha ! | see. That accounts for
the young lady's extravaganza. In time
OF prosperity you were preparing for adj
verslty at my expense. Thought the
old man good goose to pluck, did you?
Well, my noble youth, while | admire
your foresight and business capabilities
| must confess that you are altogether
too smart to be my son-in-law. | dis
tlnctly and decidedly have the pleasure
of informing you that I intend to keep
my daughters banda. But il mine can
be Of any assistance 10 helping you down
the steps-herc they are"
That ended the unfortunate interview
II was long, long week before saw
Ethel and her woful face was a picture
of distress Mine was more So" Ethel, +"
| groaned as we dejectedly rode along
on our wheels, show can wo live with
out each other?''
"We cant and won't" she bravely
exclaimed, ''pa is just too horrid for any
thing. I'm mad enough to elope."
"Hurrah !" shouted. "f'm with
you-rain or shino-Let's clone on our
bicycles. Never was done before. Strict
ly original. Patent applied for. Well
DO famous the world over. and your pa
will be proud Of US"
"Yes-but," thoughtfully spoke Ethel
when recovered from tho shock, how
can we manage to take my Gvo-yoar
stock of dresses. You won't be able to
buy me any till you're in the firm you
said"
easy" answered. "You can
smuggle them in the barn, wearing one
at time under your everyday dress,
and place them in trunk I'll have hid
den in the hay. Then I'll put wheels
on the trunk and we'll tow it behind
when We olopc. What team we'll
make"
"And what capital con triver you
are" cried tho dear, innocent girl;
"but you'll have to pull the hardest
though"
Never foar," laughed, "only name
the happy night"
AT the appointed time | stood in tho
shadow made by the full moon under
EthePs window. AS tho clock struck
midnight Ethel poked her sweet faco out
and whistled softly. Quickly raised
ladder to her easement, and with a
Romeo's ardor helped my fair Juliet to
the ground where our glittering, iron
steed stood waiting impatiently to be of.
The loaded trunk on we'll greasod wheels
was down by the gait ready to hitch on
behind us and the minister in the next
town was waiting according to arrange
ment to tic the ten dollar knot when We
arrived.
Alth ough Ethel said that both her %
and ma were soundly snoring when she
left her room knew it wasn't safe TO
linger so, wasting no time in saying
"good-byes" to the old homestead, up
we leaped on our gallant steods and
away VIC flew down the carriage drive to
tho front gate almost forgetting the in
valuable trunk n our mad haste to
escape. Stopping aud slipping its rope
harness about my waist and working
like steam engine to haul it over tho
smooth, macadamized road we fed in
The direction of my friend, tho parson.
Our brave cycles needed no whip and
spur to make them go. They seemed
10 feel the awful responsibility thrust
upon them and did their level best.
Still tho trunk handicapped mine TO
such an extent that soon | wished
hadn't urged Ethel to secure 80 many
new dresses, but il was too late 10 re-
pent.
On we went with long ten miles be-
tween US and victory, and very short
one mile between US aud Ethels pa, who
might wake up at any moment 10 pur-
'ue and capture the trunk and-hor-
'ors clattcr of advancing hoofs from
behind told US the threatened danger
rad arrived. On tho straight moon
lighted road not half mile of a man
IN horseback-Ether furious pm with
)ut doubt--was in full chase.
ely Love Flyp ( criod to my
frightened sweetheart, as lcaped from
ny wheel and pushed tho heavy trunk
INTO roadside thickot, "Fly for your
life p | shrickod when | gained her
'idc again, eve must get to the minis
.ers first"
How wo few. Our wheels never
4ouched the ground, they bounded
through the air; like lightning, like
sky rockets they whizzed. At tho same
time our pursuer-Etheps pa to Ger
near enough TO yell for us
to stop and gaining, for il was up hill
before US.
But we reached the hilltop gro ho
caught US, and away We flashed like u
pair Of cannon balls fired from a dyna-
mite gun and followed by a tornado.
Ono mile, two miles, three miles We
raced, pursed, neither losing or gaining.
as in silence wo all s:reaked past woods
and fields and scattered farm houses lin
ing the dreary way.
"'Twas tho greatest test Of speed and
endurance ever known between horse
and bicycle. All records woro broken
and-hurrah. The wheel kept ahead
as usual.
At the sixth mile the horse began fall
ing behind in spite Of tho riders efforts.
At the seventh mile EthePs pa was out
Of sight.
Two miles more Of the cycles light
ming speed and we reached our tempo
rary haven Of safety, the ministers,
where its sleepy owner was sitting up
and praying for our safe arrival.
In We rushed and in tor minutes our
matrimonial knot was firmly tied. Then
we went out on the piazza to look for