The Washington times., 1903-07-05
THE NARRATIVE OF A ~ :.
~ ~ MODERN HONEYMOON

paper. and he had been one Of the ushers
at the wedding.
Il say this is hard" he said. after the
usual saIutation why didn't you let
the paper go TO pieces before you bother
ed yourself about it7 Pass the after
noon alone in the hotei?" turning to the
bride. "Of course you will not"
/ Il say, Dickinson, what do you say
TO my taking Mrs. Dickinson to see the
sights of New York this afternoon? 1
will show her everything just as you
would IL in a strange city. and in the
most approved style. Ny wife would go
along IL she was not out of town for the
day. It's lovely weather; we'll have
luncheon IN the park, and well go to
feed the animals. All bridegrooms take
their brides to see the zoo. II would be
a charity to me. What do you say2 III
return her safe at dinner time"
The brides eyes sparkled. II was an
original idea, and the thought OF long.
lonely afternoon IN the hotel was not an
agreeable one. Why not accept
That was what Dickinson himself
said. and he did accept with alareity.
blue was being assisted to the top of a
Fifth Avenue bus by a tail, dark man
who called. facetiously, to a shorter
man below:
They always ride on the top OF the
bus"
You are a trump. Remsen." said
Harding. the sporting man, when the
musical critic gave the history of the
afternoon to him and a few OF Dickin-
sons special friends at the Office that
night. why don't you let some OF the
rest OF us in on your scheme? I'll get q
day of tomorrow. TO play proxy for
George. and the rest OF you can take
your turns"
Harding was jewel IN the rough
His was a fine old family. but no one
would have guessed It from his general
appearance. He might have been an
old-time circuit preacher: he looked II
more than a man interested IN sporting
matters. He was a confirmed bachelor,
tall and raw-boned, careless as to
dress. as a rule. but thoroughly good
fellow. Twelve o'clock the next morn
ing found him immaculate in fresh linen
and new suit, looking more like a
rejoicing bridegroom than did Dickin-
son. when he met the young couple
Good morning. Mrs. Dickinson. Hal
10. Dick" he called cheerfully as he
came up to them Mrs. Dickinson.
am going to be your husbands second
proxy this afternoon. and II I can't
make you have better time than that
dude Remsen, then I don't know my
self"
That was the beginning OF the gay
est and most unusual week ever spent
by bride in the first part OF her honey
moon. She had luncheon in all sorts OF
unusual places, she saw hooks and
corners OF New York of which she had
never dreamed, she was entertained
and amused every minute and time few
on wings. One day it was the dramatic
critic who was her escort. another it
was the literary editor, and on Satur-
day the last day of all. Duluth, the
city editor, made his appearance, bring
ing his wife with him.
"Do you leave town tonight. George7"
he asked.
Yes" replied Dickinson with decis-
ion, by the first train we can get away
on"
you don't mind telling what train
that will be. or in what direction you
are going, do your"
NO" broke in the bride, there were
some little secrets at first, as there al
ways should be about a properly ar
ranged bridal trip, but now all the
world may know our plans"
-,Ir
thing to eat before you go, az ali events.
We will at the dinner to the train. so
meet us at Martinelli's and we will re-
turn Mrs. Dickinson to you there
1t was a dinner of nine covers. and
Martinelli never served a better. There
were the bride and groom in the places
Of honor; Remsen. his wife with him
this time; Harding. the sporting man:
the dramatic and literary editors. and
Duluth and his wife. There were not
many speeches, for the train had 10 be
considered. but after drinking the
health OF the bride and groom Harding
made the hit of the evening in a nnal
toast.
II never expected to come as near
matrimony as TO be even a proxy bride
groom for few hours" he said, "but II
the real thing is as agreeable in pro-
portion as this experience has been, I
shall drink to the happiness OF all fu-
ture Benedicts. Now 1 am going to
give you a toast to the event which
has made proxy bridegrooms possible,
a progressive honeymoon There was
prolonged applause at this, and they
drank the toast standing.
An hour later, in the train, Mrs. Dick
inson, with her head on her husbands
shoulder, drew a long breath OF salts
faction and relief
81 would not have dared to do this a
week ago." she said. "but I have given
my travelling gown such hard wear in
seeing New York that no one will
dream I am a bride. This has been the
jOlliest week OF my life Progressive
honeymoons are all right. and so are
proxy bridegrooms. Those are the
dearest fellows in the world. but I al
ways thought there was only one man
who was really worth while, George,