The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-01-11
M'DeTe lie Proposed 10 hQITl


they had an air of irresponsible happi-
ness that made the drivers of the strange
vehicles that ply in jackson park COM
pete for their favor. The man looked
over the democratic wagons, victorias and
broughams that stand at the northern
entrance of the park, while the various
drivers fell upon him. They believed him
TO be bridegroom, and the bridegroom
Is ever the victim of the designing ones
of earth.
A young man who drove a prehistoric
victoria sidled up to them. Il always
drive the new married folks" he said.
Pm just married myself. Guess you
better take me-"
The woman smiled at the man. "Take
him." she said.
The driver looked even more knowing
than before. Il can always spot EN-"
he said. This amused the man and wom-
an so much that they both laughed aloud
as they climbed into the victoria.
Aside from its romantic associations,
the victoria had no recommendations.
The cushions seemed to be stuffed with
railroad ballast, and the springs had long
ago sunk under their burdens. The horses
were discouraged old beasts that had for
gotten they were ever colts. The only
cheerful thing about the equipage was
the driver. He beguiled the way with
sprightly conversation.
After he had passed the Field museum
he turned to his clients, sitting on the
back seat. Loves a queer thing, isn't
it,"
The man answered that he believed it
was.
"And the queerest thing about 1t is
that it makes you care more for one per-
son than for another. You don't care il
they have got freckles on their nose or
can't cook or can't keep a tune. You
don't love 'em because they're better
looking or smarter or nicer than other
folks. You hardly know how it starts
either, but some day you wake up and
feel that if you can't marry Mary you'll
call the game off. AT least that's the
way felt" He cast an inquiring glance
at the back seat.
"And how did Mary feel?" the woman
asked.
The driver Strengthened himself and
gave pat TO his red necktie.
"WeI," he said, 'I'm not Dragging, but
Mary didn't let me go by. STILL" he said,
turning again, 81 must say that it took
her a long time to light She changed
her mind four or five times between men
Joe Freeman"
He whipped the horses into a feeble
burst of speed when he reached the road
that runs along the beach. "Would you
like to see the bench where l askedP' he
inquired.
The man expressed a polite willing
ness to see the bench, and the woman
laughed. at makes it seem historic"
she said. Its like those places abroad
where somebody was beheaded or some
body else was crowned"
'sYessum,' the driver said, at was
that bench that men Mary began max
ing history, as the papers say. l won't
ever forget how that measly old bench
looked that Sunday afternoon. It's over
there He pointed to a road that
branched off a bit further along. "Shall
drive overP'
'By all MEANS" the man said.
'But you're taking this rig by the
hour, you knowy" the driver said eau
tiously.
ooh, that's all right! Go ahead" The
man looked at the woman and whisper
ed Its worth while"
The driver took them up a quiet road
and stopped close by an old bench.
THAT'S the very he began; then he
stopped dramatically. '"That is not the
bench. 1t must have been moved down
nearer the convent"
Then began the search for the bench
where he had proposed to Mary. He
said he knew it was somewhere in the
park, and if they really wanted to see it
he would find it if it took all summer.
'0ur initials are cut on the seat" he
said, $50 L can't miss It."
The man told him to go ahead. They
drove from one end of Jackson park to
the other The driver left his seat and
examined many benches. The man and
the woman sat on the cast iron cushions
and encouraged him.
The shadows heightened and the golf
players went home, while they still
searched for the historic bench. They
saw hundreds of benches that resembled
It, but the veritable one seemed to have
disappeared from off the face of the
earth.
1t was nearly z o'clock when the driv-
err proposed that they cross over into
Washington park. 'These park commits
sioners are always moving things about"
he said. Like as not it's over there"
But here the man called halt. "Now
I'll pay you for four hours" he said,
looking at his watch, though you've only
lldu us lOt d llLlle ulb pNeE luItS, IL SOu IL
be honest with me. Will you"
Sure" The driver looked at the man
with a new respect. Even though newly
married, this man retained some reason.
"Well," said the man, Its a good
game, but where did you propose to Ma
ry? Honest, now, between man and
man."
ION the square, it happened in her old
dads fat. Front parlor sofy. I'll drive
you over there for 81 more, and you can
see for yourselves" Chicago News.