Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-01-04
A Cold
Hon eymOOn
BY IRVING BACHELLER
CCepyrigss,d. i0Oo. BY ruaiy s1ory Pub. CO.


IT WAS our wedding journey. We
had come up TO San Francisco on
our way to New York by rail. The
journey was rather too costly for the
income I enjoyed, but, alasl I had
promised
you can get scalpers' tickets"
friend had said 10 me. "they viii save
enough 10 pay Pullman fare"
I had small knowledge OF scalpers'
tickets. or their cheapness ] had often
heard. but Of their power TO demoral-
ize man and change everything that
is his. from his name to his character
/ knew nothing.
] had taken stateroom in which
we were 10 have a week Of our honey
moon quite 20 ourselves. a little be-
fore train time 7 went out 90 investi
gate the matter of scalpers' tickets.
81 can fix YOU all right" said the
agreeable gentleman, who dealt in
them. "Here are two tickets good FOR
a man and woman. They win save you
$50. First-class. and guarantee their
acceptance"
] looked at them hurriedly-there
was no time 10 lose. Ii was saving
worth while. Twenty dollars would
nearly pay for the stateroom.
I took them. He tucked them into
an envelope paid him the money
and hurried back The stage was
about 60 leave and my wife was wait.
ing az the ladies' exit. We got aboard
with All haste and were shortly on
our way TO the depot. When we were
on the train at last ! looked az the
two tickets. That for my wife had
been issued TO one Miss Bridge Mur-
ply.
"Miss Bridget Murphy!" 7 softly
exclaimed. What does that r0ca0 @''
I studied the half-yard Of coupons
and the regulations OF the company
The ticket had evidently been bought
by Miss Murphy. II was good from
Seattle 90 New York via San Fran
cisco She had used IL 10 the latter
point and hen sold il, for some rea-
son. TO the scalper. The thing that
worried me was the fact that the
ticket was not transferable, according
to the contract on its face. Miss Muir
ply must present il herself and in
dorse il in the presence OF the con-
ductor. If any other endeavored 10
use il the ticket was forfeit 10 the
company. The train was under way.
I excused myself and went tc the
smoking room. Sitting there quietly
I examined the other ticket. That
was signed one Sam. Swackhammer.
1t was the handwriting of a black.
smith and not easy TO initiate. 1t had
a sledge hammer swing TO II. The
truth came clear 10 me after a little
thought. A scalpers' ticket was one
q man paid for partly in money and
partly in his hope OF Heaven. could
not afford 10 buy new tickets and.
for the rest Of the trip. I must be Mr..
Swackhammer and my wife a lady ot
the name Of Murphy. 7 presume my
first name was Samuel. but the man
had written ii Sam. must manage
it somehow and quickly. took ont
my pencil and tried 10 initiate the
clumsy signature As soon as I got
the swing of IL hastened TO my bride.
She had a happy smile and was look
ing out Of the window. She wished
me to view the scenery, but saw my
perturbation as she looked up at me
'Darling!" she exclaimed, what is
the matterT'
only this" ! said. "a mistake has
been made, and until we get TO New
York your name will have 20 be Muir.
ply"
"Mnrphy!" she exclaimed. ''wha;
do YOU mean?''
'Wel, l got the wrong tickets some
way" ! said. II don't know how il
happened-I was in great hurry. We
must make the best of il now. just
sign the name of Murphy on your
ticket. II will be all right. There Il
Is. Bridget Murphy" i said. holding II
mp 10 her.
"whst a horrible namel" she said
gish . sigh.