The record-union., 1898-04-08
VERY SURPRISED G. CLERGYMAN
UNIQUE AFFAIR AT THE C. C.. w.
ROOMS LAST NIGHT.
Presentation Of a Bicycle to Rev
A. c. Herrick, With Charm
ing Variations.

If there was ever a genuine surprise
it was witnessed last evening. Though
more than a hundred people were in
the secret, 1t was SO closely kept that
the object of it had never an irkling
until it was sprung upon him.
Rev. A. G. Herrick of Oak Park was
sent for to perform a marriage cere-
mony, being told that it would take
place at the rooms of the Capital City
Wheelmen. When he arrived he found
the rooms crowded with men, women
and children, considerably over a hun
dred being present. He was told that
musical programme would precede
the ceremony, and though he insisted
upon seeing the couple to be married
that he might instruct them as to the
ceremony. he was told to wait, as they
had not yet arrived
The programme was then carried cut,
under direction of Acting Preside ant
WoodsOn and the House Committee of
the club. Mr.. Manning played piano
solo, Miss Jessie Shaw gave very
pleasing recitation, Arnold Heynan
played a piano solo, Herbert A. ?<idder
sang two tenor solos, mad Mrs Warner
% ~ an NS'C- iNCf. IL IDdiAS Si)OhC
five minutes on the subject, why Min
listers Should Ride the Bicycle" ond
Judge S. Solon Holl spoke on the sub
ject, Why Lawyers Should Ride
Wheels" The Native Sons Brass
Band played three fine selections.
At the conclusion of the programme
DR.. Todd escorted Mrs. L. H. Snider
into the main room, she wheeling in a
beautiful new bicycle, with all manner
of fittings and attachments, including
q silver name-plate. Mr. Herrick was
then told to stand up as the bride
groom, the wheel being the bride. The
Chairman then read a letter from the
committee of the donors, presenting
the wheel to Mr. Herrick, setting forth
that the members of mis- congregation
and his friends in Oak Park and Sac
ramento had secured the bicycle for
him as a small testimonial OF their Ie-
gard for his unselfish labors in the IN
terests of all the people, hoping that
when he learned to ride it would tighten
his labors in travelling about his very
large parish on deeds of mercy.
The Chairman then humorously mar
ried the clergyman to the wheel,
behalf of the clergyman, for whom
wheelmen have an especial regard.
wished him good luck with it. and
promised that the club would turn out
delegations at any time to teach him
how to ride quickly and safely.
The recipient was the most aston
iShed man imaginable but recovered
compOsure sufficiently to make most
happy and feeling response, but with
tears yelling in his eyes for the open
expressions of regard all about him.
He referred with feeling to the presence
of three English wheeling tourists and
the growing friendliness between
Americans and their English cousins
To cap the climax of the humor of the
occasion, the Chairman informed the
clergyman that as he had come to
perform a marriage ceremony and had
been deceived, he might feel that he
had been cheated of his fee The VVom-
ems Committee had therefore colcuis-
stoned him to hand the reverend gen
tleman So, to be expended for arnica
and bandages only"
The company then broke up into So
cial mingling and congratulation. and
meantime the c. c. w. House Commit
tee furnished lemonade galore.
For an hour the guests, hosts and
surprised fingered in most social con
verse and intermingling. The rooms
were tastefully decorated for the oc-
casion with flowers by the Oak Park
people, and the club added the Ameri-
can flag and club cOlors. The non-club
members present were almost wholly
residents of Oak Park suburb.
The committee of women who got up
the affair, bought the wheel and
planned the surprise consisted OF Mrs
L. II. Snider, Mrs. L. r. Jordan, Mrs.
j. Beck and Mrs. J. Boggess.