St. Paul daily globe., 1894-08-19
ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT
The Driver of His Carriage
Was Bribed and Wouldn't
Stop. x
OLD SCORES WERE EvENED.
Said That Young George j.
Freeman Has Sworn Off
on Practical Jokes. 'dl

Young George Freeman, recently so
happily wed, is somewhat of practical
joker in his way. He would sooner get
the laugh on another than SIT down to
square meal. So it came TO pass that
Georges joking propensities came back
on him, and now the other fellows are
laughing at him., At the time OF his
sisters marriage George performed sew
eral good practical jokes to his own IN
finite glee and the CONSERVATION of the
objects of his wild, untamed merri-
ment. But every dog has his day. The
same applies to jokers and George
has had his. Smiling and confident a
few days ago, he took unto himself a
wife. All nature was aglow with EN-
thusiasm over the event. The sun shed
down its cheerfulest rays, the ladies
dOnned their handsomest attire, and all
went merry as the conventional we'd
ding bell. George was happy, and who
wouldn't under such hopeful auspices?
His youthful horizon was clear, and his
spirits buoyant and effervescent. But
change has come over the spirit OF his
dreams and George is now haunted
with despair victim Of joke. a
practical joke.
The wedding supper had been served,
concentrations and counter-cOngratu-
lations extended, kisses exchanged and
adieux and good-byes spoken. George
and his bride, happy, oh, so happy, were
about to leave on their wedding trip.
The baggage had been disposed Of, the
carriage was in waiting. With two
bounds the bridal couple entered the
vehicle which was to convey them to
the depot. And now for the joke. Quick
as flash the ends of two broad
ribbons-some fifty feet in length
were attached to the hind wheels
of the carriage. the other ends
were fitted to a couple of old shoes, No.
12's. The driver had been bribed and
instructed to drive rapidly and without
stopping for anything or anybody till
he got to the depot. Good bye. Crack
went the whip, and down the street
whirled the carriage, the ribbons career
ing about in the breeze, the old shoes
describing all manner of gyrations as
they tumbled along at 2:40 gait.
George was unconscious of what was
tranSpiring. He saw that the pedeS-
trians along the route were convulSed
with laughter at something that had to
do with his carriage, but he supposed
their riSibilitieS were the natural result
which a newly married couple inspire.
By and by the laughter became howl,
and George thought 1t about time to
investigate matters. Looking out of the
carriage window. he saw the ribbons;
another glance and the shoes hove in
view. He tumbled lnstanter, ana set
up howl for the driver to stop, but the
more he hoWled the faster the driver
went. George was furious, and in his
rage almost fell out of the carriage. The
driver had lost his ears and George had
lost his head. but the horses sped OH,
with their wild eyes full ofs fire. But
10! they are nearing the scene of their
hearts DESIRE" a la Phil Sheridan.
The union depot reached, and George
alighted amidst the eyes and guys
of the assembled throng. He didn't
stop to notice the ribbons
nor did he seem inclined to collect the
snoeS as souvenir of his fateful ride.
The driver went home unpaid for his
pains, and George, furiously blushing,
passed into the depot.
Fifteen minutes later he was aboard
the train on his way to Chicago. Hall
an hour later he had registered vow
the second one since the day began
| that hereafter he would take more
serious view of life.