Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-10-02

my note"
every WE'LL" said Miss Abigail, ~
will do the best can"
"And you are sure, dear Miss Abb
gail, that you will not regret 1t? 1t will
be very inconvenient for you"
Miss Abigail blushed, but replied,
ooh, not at ALL" She was afraid that
there might be some one in the hall
listening, so she rose to terminate the
interview, and just then some one came
In.
Mr.. Melville was very busy for the
next two weeks, and If Miss Abigail
herself had not been so busy with max
ing all the arrangements for the we'd
ding she might have thought that he
wasn't very ardent lover.
When Miss Abigail had occasion to
ask questions in regard to the cere-
mony, which was only once or twice,
she had to wait until every one was
out of the dining room to get chance
to speak to him. He had expressly
stated that she was to attend to every
thing. 1t WIS to be quiet wedding
with only Mrs. jenkins and Mr.. Smith
Jones and Potter present, and Mrs.
Jenkins was to have lunch for them
afterward.
She had asked him If 3 o'clock in the
afternoon would answer and if 1t should
occur at st. James, Piccadilly. lie had
repeated the words James, Piccadilly,
and said yes, wondering why Miss Abb
gail referred to his brothers business
in Piccadilly.
Mr.. Smith-.Jones was to be best man.
In due course of time the 2Sth ar
rived. Miss Abigails wedding day.
After Mr.. Melville had departed for the
city Joachim and all his belongings
were, according to instructions. car
ried down to Miss Manning's room.
Now. it happened that on reaching
the city Mr.. Melville found there was
| not much for him to do the last day,
so he returned early to the house, de-
termined to have nice rest until it
was time for the night train to Dover.
1t being n warm day, and he having
had hearty lunch. 1t happened that
when Mr.. Smith-Jones, dressed md
ready for the momentous occasion,
knocked Mt the door Mt o'clock, and
no amount of knocking and pounding
having the least effect, had opened the
door, had found the bridegroom elect
fast asleep in chair, with his feet
stretched comfortably in another, and
a handkerchief over his head to keep
off the flies.
"Scandalousw said Smith-Jones to
himself, who imagined that Mr.. Mel
vile had been partaking of something
stronger than cold tea. wake up,
Melville! Do you know what time it is?
You will be late for the wedding!" he
shouted.
wedding" repeated Mr.. Melville.
Then seeing Mr.. Smith-Jones was in
full dress smile broke over his coun-
tenance.
"Oh, you sly dog" he said. And SO
you are going to be married and want
me to assist?' Mr.. Smith-Jones stared.
"What a joker you are. Melville!
But come, hurry up. or you will not be
ready in time"
II was never at wedding" said
Melville, "and do not know just what
you want me to do"
Never mind" replied smith-Jones.
"You put yourself entirely in my hands.
/ will tell you what to do. Do you I'M
derstand?" he shouted. .You are to do
just what l show you. will see that
you get through all right
At last Mr.. Melville was ready. and
they descended to the dining room,
where Mrs. jenkins and Miss Abigail
were waiting. AS five could not ride
in one carriage. it was thought best
for Mrs. jenkins and the bride and Mr..
Potter, who now made his appearance,
to go in one carriage, the bridegroom
and Mr.. Smith-Jones following in an.
other. After they got. started Mr.. Mel
vile discovered that he had left his
ear trumpet.
"Do need horn?" he asked.
"a what?" asked Smith-Jones. Then
thinking that he meant whisky horn
he said, "No, don't think you neet
another"
"My horn-my trumpet, mean
said Melville.
"No." said Smith-Jones, "you do no
need one. You do only Just what
show you"
at the church door all alighted
where small group was waiting TO
the wedding party.
Mr.. Melville seemed dazed and dit
not know what to do until his mento
stepped up and put Miss AbigaiPs arm
in his. Mr.. Smith-Jones went on ahea'
, as sort of usher, and Mrs. jenkins, o.
the arm of Mr.. Potter. followed.
The church was so dark, coming Il
from the sunlight that Mr.. Melvill
: could not at first see anything. II
thought to himself it must be natura
for the best man to take in the bride.
At the altar the minister, an old IN
deaf man, was already waiting. II
! was in great hurry to get through
SO as to take train for the country
, and began the service before the wee
ding party knew what they were abou
Poor Melville did not notice anythin
e until Smith-Jones was poking at hi
elbow and finally put NIelvilles han
!. into Miss AbigaiPs, and Smith-Jone
!, who had the ring, was also obliged t
t put that on the BRIDES finger. The
$ they were all hustled into the vestry
sign the register, where the old clerg.
8 man was already out of his SUPPLE
and the door at the same time.
: AS they turned to leave Smith-Jone
e exclaimed: IF the man hasn't signe
us witness! Where is he" For til
: bridegroom had disappeared
He was out in the churcht examinin
some of the ancient tablets, while I'll