Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-08-18
a wonder who got my telegram p

claimed II was his, and the operator
couldn't decide what to do. So they
all agreed to have him read the con-
tents to them, aud then each man said
It was for him. believe they have all
made preparations for party for din
ner tonight from the city
''Oh, dear mel" said Mrs. Dobley,
how very embarrassirgl"
''In crisis like this one must be
calm" said Mr.. Dobley. First we
must pretend that we know nothing
about the telegram. For the time be-
ing we are the MacWaddles, of West
chester. We don't even know the Dob
leys. We are just taking q little drive
through the country. In this way we
can collect our party and escape"
They drove along the road, coming
at last to a small enclosure under an
awning where bicyclists sat around at
small tables.
This" said the driver. sis CHEEKY
Rest"
And there are the Van Rippers,"
said Mrs. Dobley. Wen get out and
let them know about the tx we are
in"
The proprietor of CHEEKY Rest came
out, rubbing his hands in anticipa-
ton.
DO you belong TO the picnic par
typ he asked. 1--WE have erected a
temporary tent in the rear for the
dinner"
Hello. Dobley," said Van Ripper.
81 thought you were never coming"
81 beg your pardon, SIR" said Dob
ley; 'but you have made a mistake
My name is MacWaddle. This is Mrs.
MacWaddle."
Mrs. Dobley winl1ed violently at
Mrs. Van Ripper, while Van Ripper
looked astonished.
81 thought we were going to meet
hereP" he said.
Curious case of mistaken identity"
said Dobley; may 1 ask your name?'
"Oh, say" began Van Ripper, "this
is carrying a joke"
"This is no joke" said Dobley. "It
is very serious matter II you will
walk along the road with me while
the lady who is with YOU occupies the
carriage with Mrs. MacWad1le, / will
make you understand that you owe
me On apology"
Thus the party left CHEEKY Rest and
Dobley explained the situation to Van
Ripper, who agreed that it would be
dangerous 90 admit the authorship of
the dispatch ordering dinner.
81 was undecided which of the seven
places we should stop at" said Van
| Ripper, until we heard that the
CHEEKY Rest dinner was TO be served
in tent. We thought that was
rather novel plan, and so we waited
| there"
"But we must stop ut each of the
other places in order to get the party
/ together" said Mrs. Dobley. 81
shouldn't want to lose any of them.
What is this place all decorated with
hags and banners?''
That is CHEEKY Grove" said the
driver; ''they have made very eiab-
crate plans there, ! believe They
have clambake. They looked this
man Dobley up and found he was good
for It. so they spared no expense"
AS the party neared Cherry Grove
the sound of an orchestra was heard
and Mr.. Freshington and two girls in
red golf coats appeared on the piazza,
waving their handkerchiefs.
Don't notice them" said Dobley.
Wen have TO get away by strategy.
Let the carriage proceed slowly and
wait around the bend of the road"
Freshington came out to the gate
to meet them. "Dobley," he said,
you're a brick! You are a ROYAL
host. This man has made prepare
tions on a great scale. He has had
bowling alley put up ana May pole
and shooting gallery in the cellar.
He said he'd have had links laid out
If he had had time. Let me introduce
the proprietor. Dobley, this is
What name is that?" asked Dob
ley, stepping on Freshington's foot.
81 have seen it on tombstone in an
old country churchyard."
Surely you don't forget your old
| college chum, MacWaddle," said Van
Ripper, nudging Freshington.
Mr.. Freshington gazed in astonish-
ment at them just as the two girls
came up, but before they had time
to speak Van Ripper said
"Mr. MacWaddle, ladies = MacWad-
die of Westchester."
| About n quarter of mile from
here" said Dobley, there is most
| picturesque little dell absolutely
grown up with marguerites"
How lovely!" said both girls at
once.
1--WE might wander there" said Dob
ley, land gather some"
ITO decorate the tables" said the
| girls. THAT will be sweet"
"Tables!" said Wobley, in astonish-
ment. What tables?"
why, we are all going to pic
MIC said one of the girls. aren't
| you invited?"
NO" said Dobley; 81 know moth
ing about it. merely stopped in pass
ing, attracted by the decorations and
the air of general rejoicing"
well, the clambake will be ready
at six sharp" said the proprietor,
"and If you meet this man Dobley,