The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-14


in an hour and a half, and when he
learned to Coast" the space of time
he could do the distance in was some
thing very startling indeed. AS the
novelty wore off, the grooming gave
place to flick over, and fine days
found the bicycle leaning against the
side of the hut. much after the fashion
of it's predecessor
Among those whose interest in the
postman's new machine was quite keen
was Jenny, who was very constant
visitor to Tim for mail in these days;
when later, rumor reached the village
Of ladies having taken to the wheel,
Jenny was more interested than ever.
The culuminative interest point was
reached when one day a party of
American tourists came up to the inn
"on Wheels" which included two la
dies. The old 'ostler's face was a
study; Host owen shivered and snort
ed by turns, while Jenny, who always
left dishing up to her aids, so as to
walt at table. made herself so real
sweet" to the ladies (who fortunate
ly did not wear bloomers)' that she
was soon having the difference between
these ladies wheels and the kind ridden
by the gentlemen and Tim explained
to her.
Tim being the most interesting man
In the village to Jenny, for epistolary
reasons, it is only natural that Tim
should think highly of Jenny, for she
was a very pretty, shapely lass, with
a smile that could accomplish nearly
anything, and also because, being the
father of six children and a mail cob
bier, he was sentimental enough to
be vastly interested in her long court
ing.
Time went on. Will came UP in the
intervals of his voyages-long enough,
goodness knows. Papa Owen and Jen-
ny's future got along so we'll that per-
sistent efforts were made to induce
papa to cut slabs out of the thirteen
years prescribed company keeping.
In vain. Several times when the stout
cob and gig-a combination that could
be relied on to do over seven miles
an hour for several hours and not turn
hair, the horse not the gig-had
taken Jenny and her father to the
town, he had stopped at the registrar
of births, deaths and marriages, a par
tlcular friend of his, alluded to the
marriage and assured the functionary
that when he was married it was in
that there very office, and that when
ms gal was married it was agoing
to be in that very same office-not
that e 'ad word to say agen
churches, but where he was married
was agoing to be where she should be
married."
VIII had been up one famous day in
August. The courting had been very
earnest, and consultations on some an
parently important points, deep. When
he went away he seemed quite jocund
for leave-taking lover Two days af-
terwards John went into his daughters
room for something or other, a thing
he didn't do twice in year. A letter
was sticking out of a drawer and old
John impelled by some irresistible cur
iosity, did what he had never done in
his life, he pulled it out and read it..
Hastily replacing it he went rapidly
out of the house to the end of the
big garden, where he knew he would
be free from observation. Then he ex-
ploded silently and by easy stages.
The letter informed Jenny that the
bans of marriage had been on the file
at the registrars the necessary three
weeks, and that they would be mar
ried the next day at. IL o'clock sharp,
and she was to be sure and not be
late and with, etc, ETC." signed, Your
own Willie"
John Owen cogitated long and earn
estly. He was ashamed to own he had
surreptitiously read the letter. He i'm
mediately decided Jenny should not be
married the next day. He went to the
house determined never to make refer
ence to the letter, and equally deter
mined not to lose sight of his daugh-
ter from the present moment till l
O'Clock the next day; then she could
not be married-at all events as secret
ly arranged. If the first attempt failed
he was sure he could so handle the
ribbons in the future that any attempt
on the part of the lovers to bolt to
Hymen he could stop in short order.
How well be played his part. When
during the evening Jenny asked:
Can l have the gig to go in town
father, tomorrow morning? / want a.
sight o. little things" And she enum-
Grated many.
mo, lass. I'm going day arter. Well
go along together.
"But----." Not "but' she tried
was any use.
The next morning he was her shadow.
Four sublmely brilliant attempts on
Jenny's part to bolt between and 10
O'Clock We're stopped, apparently by
sheer accident. Jenny had trouble to
hide her nervousness. John Owen
looked at his watch, which indicated
ten-thirty, and chuckled. She couldn't
get fifteen miles on foot in an hour and
half. He was master of the situa-
tion almost. now. At this moment
Jenny put on her hat, took up a small
parcel and turning to her father, said:
Father, I'm going to take my shoe
to Tim. 1t needs mending."
Are you, lass? I'll go along with
yer. It'll just do me good to stretch
me legs"
Jenny nodded and smiled. They start
ed. Papa walking as slow as he dared !;
daughter hurrying as much as she
dared. 1t was no distance though and
at five minutes to eleven Tim knew
what was wanted for the shoe.
As they passed out, Jenny remarked: !:
Have you heard, father, as how
girls ride them things ?"-indicating
Tins bike-"in trousers and breeches
like men,"
THE brazen things. No gal O. mine
shall ever ride one in any kind o. way.
1t amt commonly decent"
II don't believe I could ever get on
the thing"--was Jenny's remark as she
wheeled the bicycle on the hard ma
cadamized road. "There's nobody
around. I'll try"
"Now, no foolishness, Jenny. It amt