The Indianapolis journal., 1893-12-17
MARRIED BY ACCIDENT


not been lighted and he could not clearly
distinguish the features Of his caller who
was man OF medium size. but the mans
attitude and carriage were recognizable
and the reverend gentleman instinctively
assumed the patronizing tone and phrase
oiogy that he reserved for the hornyfisted.
Well. my man." he asked. clasping his
hands benignantly. what can / do for
your
The man pulled awkwardIy at mis- hat
''Nothin'. tonight, sir. IL didn't fetch her
long 18th me. The fact is" scratching his
head to cover his embarrassment, 'I wan
20 git spliced."
Come in. sir. come in" said the clergy
man. heartily.
NO. sir. no-'tain't wuth vile seem
dida't fetch 'er long 18th me. Yeh see.
Annie. she's been goin' 10 your church now
for quite a spell, an she's took notion
TO git married there. Church open to-
morrow night. amt it?''
Eyes. ard I could marry you after the
service IL you wish. Your name. my man?''
My name" jamming hand into either
pocket with a good-enough-fOr-anyb air.
''is Mr.. J. B. Campbell
The Doctor bowed courteously, asked a
few other questions and the matter was
man as he left. well be on hand after
church to-morrer night. Annie don't want
nothin said about it. though"
On the afternoon of the next day two
departing callers stood IN Mrs. John Mar
lows porch wrangling in gay good hunor
about arrears and surpluses of calls. Dr.
Wyndham passed on the other side of the
street. Suddenly ne turned, and crossing
the street. sfniiingly confronted the ladies'
IT know something" he said, looking up
at them faceticusy.
"Oh. come in. then Come in; do" they
exclaimed.
"A secret, ladies': wedding" he said.
and srnacked his lips tantaIizingly as he
mounted the steps
Now, doctor, cut with it,"
'Ha. ha," the Doctor laughed self-con-
sciously. rubbed his hands together and
eyed his hostesses with a. comical and la
bored archness.
'Out with II. Doctor. out with it." per-
sisted Mrs. NARROW.
He smiled at her benignantly, then, rest
ing his elbows upon the arms of the chair,
ne said with tantalizing deliberation, while
carefully matching his finger tips:
Ladies, in St PauIs Church. on this
the 3Oth day Of June 1s9-. after the even
unite blissfli couple In the holy bonds Of
matrimony. But as to TIE names Of tho
contracting parties, why it's worth money
TO know that"
"Oh, nickel for. your news, Doctor"
scrie1 Mrs Martyr. diving for her pocket
"a nickel, Mrs. Martyr? A nickel. in
deed Why, this bit of news is ruinously
cheap at half a dollar head"
Ihey disputed gaily for little while,
Doctor. you know that you have here a
class OF customers who cannot afford to
use iuxuries extravagantly. Don't insist
Retail it. Make us the easiest terms for
one name, that Of the bride-elect"
We; Vel; I then. ts ladies'; as ! want ready
~ twenty-five cents for the groOm's name.
For the brides name / should have to ask
more. (He didn't know. the brides name
After some pretended demur three quar-
te- dollars Were laid upon the table at the
Doctors side. He tossed up the rings OF his
really beautiful gray hair on the side that
was nearest Mrs. Martyr, and said with
provoking pauSes: ''The-narne of-the-pros-
% Joy! cried the widow; Joe Camp
bell and Annie Bedell at last Two victims
less for Aunt Hen TO tyrannize over
But isn't it very singular Doctor" asked
the quiet but prudent lady who had not
spoken before, their being married in the
church IN $3.50 unceremonious way? No
Invitations, no"
mo. my dear. no." cried eager Mrs Mar
low, excuse the interruption but nothing
is singular excepting that Joe and Annie
Should have been badgered and thWarted
so long. by that irrepressible old cam
rey eespecte in 5eGS 5eers6n steady agd feET eaTy
established in business there Annie loves
him with all heC heart and has been en-
gagged 10 MIN on and on for four years
The girl isn't tickle. but like her poor old
father, she lacks force. Aunt Hen rules
the whole family from 'Lijah down to the
hall mo-
throw herself away upon a 'tradeSman.'
and mas nearly separated the couple sew
eral times. But you see the end has come.
l have no doubt that this is secret we'd
ding.
Now you speak OF it." said DIR. WIND
ham, something was said about its being
kept quiet. He looked uneasy. He had had
no idea that Annie whom his awkward
caller didn't fetch long it'll him. was the
pretty Annie Bedell whose face was famil-
lar among his church workers.
You are sure this young man is worthy,
Mrs. Marrow" he asked. How is Il that
l have reyer seen him with her?''
Why. don't you see, Doctor they can't
carry on a regular ana reasonable Sunday
and Wednesday courtsiip like other low
ers. on account of Aunt Hen Joe would
walk night over her opposition and not
seem TO know there was anything in the
way. but Annie, like her father, will sacri-
nee her own rights, or the rights of any
one else. for the sake of peace She has
home when Aunt Hen was out and
abroad when Aunt Hen Was in. They've
Dccu pdlT Ol SWeSlHcartS Tor years.
J. Tor one. have always kept an open door
FOR them"
Still Dr. Wyndhain left the house with
1l-cOnCealed anxiety. IL this were a sort
" runaway match; IL annie was about to |
throw herself away, az, In spite of Mrs
bell. he could but fear. he was sorry that |
he was connected with the affair.
he was not brave, but fortune favored |
MIN all the same; for, upon turning a |
corner he came face to face with Elijah |
Sedell: who with pleasant greeting raised |
LTlehuly eyes 10 the pastors face. He wore |
3 masOns 3 oyerslls, carried some tools i'm |
sne hand and Il pail OF mortar in the other
ne ATTEMPTED, enthusiastically, TO give |
pr; Nyncham more than half the side |
%elK. ~ out was brought 10 a standsti1l by /
-he outstretched clerical hand
GO Know as IN fit 10 shake hands
DOCTOR: ne said. setting down his pail |
anu giving MS hand preliminary rub
lpon his oVeraliS. 'Henrietty wants. soma
lA.n zone rounc the fireplace in her bed
10 IL with. | wanted her 10 wait dey or
-wo; but when the women gifts anvthing
nto their heads. Doctor, there's no iet mn
rs got 70 be done right OFF,
IA. Ia. Mr.. Bedel that's a fact
nat fact So you're about 10 lose vour
led - 0o mar
rs that so. Doctor? I've kind o. though,
ately X looked that way. The folks hain't
old me nothin' bout il though; but then |
manages slch things 10 suit 'erself YoIy
'oin TO tie the knot Doctorg'
I've been asked tO-yes. Mr. Campbeu |
ame TO see me last night"
so it's him, is IL? Well, that'u suit me-
retty We'll an L recon it'll suit Annie. but
J., don't see how Henrietty ever come to
i've into it,
Assured that there was no opposition on