The Press., 1900-01-18
SIM WAS LATE.
The Kind Old Gentleman Did the RK-
planning For Him.

ThS h1n0 Ok0 GGntAemun O10 tn0 h1e
planning For Him.
They are middle aged married peo-
pie now. but their wedding is kept In
greener remembrance than that OF
many couple since married In the
same community. He was young
hardworking farmer out near the mid
die Of the state, she the blooming
had accumulated a nice fortune, had q
fine tract of land, a pretentious coun-
try home and family that was looked
up to by most of the community. He
had worked his own way to the front,
and there was nothing that he admired
more in young men than the qualities
that had won him success. So Sim,
for that was the youths name, was in
the good graces of the father as well
as Of the daughter.
On the day appointed for the we'd
ding the guests moved toward the big
house from all directions and in all
kinds of vehicles. 1t was a holiday
with them all, social distinctions in
terfering very little with a universal
invitation throughout the large circle
Of acquaintanceship. Preparations for
entertaining the assemblage were Of
the most elaborate and hospitable
character. There was more food than
Is ordinarily provided for a regiment
Of soldiery. There were cider and
apples by the barrel, and the mist that
poured from the kitchen windows was
freighted with appetizing odors. The
parson was there, the choir from the
little church was there, and a few rel
atives from abroad were there to en-
Joy the festivities.
The bountiful table was set, the
bride was dressed, the parson had be-
gun to move about uneasily, and the
good wife, after visiting the veranda
several times, called her husband to
one side and talked briefly in low
tone. Then he knitted his brows,
scanned the road in both directions
and muttered to himself. Before long
he put on his hat, slipped quietly up
the back way and was soon on the
roof, again studying the road. There
were growls from the kitchen that the
victuals were getting cold, and the
consoling veices heard in the brides
room did not serve to drown the sound
Of her weeping. 1t was full hour
after the time appointed for the we'd
ding, and the bridegroom had not ar
rived.
The old gentleman went about look
Ing as though he wanted to hurt some
one. The mother bravely kept up ap-
pearances, and the parson looked at
bis open face watch at least twice
every three minutes. The presence of
a crisis could be heard in the air, and
the general nervousness increased as
the time for it approached.
Gosh" shouted q youngster who
was whiting at the horse block, "see
that Teller ride"
Every eye followed the direction in
dicated by the boys knife blade and
saw a veritable rough rider dashing
down the wooded hill half a mile
away. Even on the steep descent the
horse was urged to his utmost, and as
he Strengthened away on the level 1t
could be seen that he was cruelty
driven. On he came, reeking, breath
ing in gasps, his nostrils distended and
his head Strengthened to ease his
breathing.
"Sim," said the father sternly as the
rider threw, himself from the saddle,
what does this mean? You've upset
everything and Hattie's Almost crazy.
Now, where have you been, to come
gallopin up here like a wild Indian.
and the women folks most distracted p
Gam too later asked Sim excited
ly. "Just as got ready see that new
Holstein cow bought break out Of the
lower meadow, and 1 went after her.
She gi' me the all firedest chase you
ever heard Of, and blamed If I didn't
forget about the weddin till I run that
critter into Webb's yard and the hired
girl told me the folks had come over
here"
"Cow wasn't hurt none, was sheF'
"Not bit"
"Glad Of it. That's the way to look
after things. Now you come right in
and get married and let me do the ex-
plainin."
Sim obeyed, and there was never q
merrier time at any ones marriage.