The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-27
A SERIOUS JOKE.
Couple say that they Are Married and
Get Into Trouble.

MACON, GA, Nov. 26.-The social cir
cles Of East Macon. a pretty little sub
urb' are all astir over a very innocent
little joke perpetrated by two clever and
popular young people and its unfortu-
nate consequences.
At a pleasant little social gathering
Sunday night Miss Sallie Mae Blocker,
II charming young lady OF the set, ana
Mr. CilIton X. Mann a promising young
railroad man OF social standing, also,
suddenly announced that they were mar
RED. Inis surprising statement was re-
ceived by the young people present Ike
a thunder clap from Il clear Sky. 1t was
known to All OF them that the young
folks have been exceedingly ford OF each
others society recently, and that Cupid
was slyly working an inrOad into theil
hearts was pretty generally believed,
but the annOuncemeut that they hdd
been secretly married some time ago
was received as a huge joke for a time.
They both, however, aNoWed tnat IL was
true. and that they were not joking.
The situation grew somewhat serious
when the lady OF the house, Mrs. Sykes
decided 10 make test. She said 1t was
a matter that ought not TO be joked
about. and IL Is said hy parties who were
present that she pleasantly remarked
that If the young people were really
married a good test would be for them
TO then and there give the salutatons
that "A dutiful bridegroom would bestow,
and "A genuine bride, however demure.
might naturally expect In plain words,
as the story. goes, the young people were
asked to kiss each other in public TO
prove that they We're not testing about
their marriage and IL is said that this
stipulation was readily met by the loV-
ing couple who. IL seems, were determin-
ed that the joke, having been started
must go. though this part Of the story
is denied by the young lady. So far all
went well. and the young people were
warmly congratulated. But they llttle
dreamed that they were playing with
The bridegroom left that night for Hell
ena where he holds an important place
with the Southern railway The bride
remained I'm Macon AT the home or Mrs.
Sykes where she had been boarding and
where the affair occurred. She declared
the next dav that II was all q Joke. ana
then Mrs Sykes said If she had really
not married the young man she would
have 10 leave her house. She said the
Joke had been carried too far u ho
Young lady did leave the boardng-house
and so far as the world knows there
has been no marriage yet. The young
man was I'm Helena to-day and said 10
The Constitution that there was no
truth I'm the report that he was married.
He claimed ignorance OF the little occur
renee He simply denied tho report that
way had appeared i'm solemn form this
morning In the Macon paDer without the
ghost of a smile to let the public know
that II was a Joke.
Just what will be the outcome or the
affair IS not known. Both OF the young
people are well known and highly es-
ieernod. II may be that their Wedding
dav Is fixed for the near future. and they
were lust little too iestful by reason OF
being overiovful in announcing II IN the
rather singular manner they cngaged.
The follv OF their joke has appeared to
both OF them. Their friends deDlOre tho
aff..r. resulting. as It did. in so mnch
tragedy Of errors from beginning 70 end
Aii Of their friends pleasantly declare
that nothino is loft for thep1 70 do nov
hut make the Joke hold good by getting
married sure enough.