Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24
EXHIBITION OF NERVE
Youngster Persuades Girl to
Marry in Hurry.
UNEXPECTED WEDDING
HAD NO IDEA OF ENTERING
BONDS OF MATRIMoNY.
He Fought Off All Rivals, Though It
Cost Many Black Eyes
and Bruises.

An unusual Christmas marriage and ex-
hibition of nerve has recently been con-
summated.
1. usually takes two to make union.
particularly when that union promises to
be Joining for lfe." but it can be truth
fully said that one young man rang the
happy marriage peal in Washington one
night not many days ago entirely by his
own efforts and by his own hand. The
story Of how he accomplished the SEEM
ingly impossible. battered his way through
obstacles and won the girl Of his heart.
by sheer perseverance. unlimited nerve and
wonderful sang froid is worth the telling,
and will probably keep his friends who
happen to know the facts. busy chatter
ing all through Christmas week.
The young man in question is only twen-
ty-one years old. but he has the self-pos-
session of a faro dealer and the nerve Of
a bad man of the days of 40" The girl
in the case is bit younger and is as
pretty and sweet as the heroine Of such an
able-bodied romance by, rights should he.
Both are very we'll known in Washington.
They met three or four years ago and
for awhile everything went as smoothly as
could be desired. To the friends of the
young people it looked like a case of love
at first sight. of the genuine old-fashioned
variety. and on the mans part at any rate
1t was. The girl wasn't quite sure whether
she loved him or not. but she was fixed in her
own mind that they were both too young
to think or talk of marriage and she in
tended to have a good time before she
settled down. For a year or so the young
man stood it pretty well, but one day he
dropped in to see his chum and after Chat
ting in general terms for awhile, finally
asked
DO you happen to know John Smith,"
Yes said his friend, land a mighty
clever chap he isl
II don't deny that said the young man
calmly, "but he's been calling on the girl
lately aand l don't like it. In fact he's
been to see her three times in the last
to like him. He's got another engagement
up there for tonight and 1 think I'll tell
him to quit"
After listening calmly to few pointed
remarks from his friend about the many
degrees of variagated assinity he nodded
pleasantly and drifted out. But he kept
his word.
That night about half-past ten o'clock
he strolled down the street on which his
lady love lived lighted cigarette and took
station in front of her house. He didn't
have to wait long, for in few minutes
the caller emerged and started down the
street The young lover followed him to
the corner, where there was vacant lot,
and stopped him. Look here, the young
ster said in his calmest tones, II want to
tell you something. I'm in love with the
little girl you've been calling on this even
ing, and I'm going to marry her. Please
don't come around any more
Not Fit for Publication.
Mr.. Smith gasped for breath. Then he
pulled himself together and expressed his
views in few brief though choice re-
marks
VERY WELL" said the young man. who
believed in counting in earnest, eff youd
rather have 1t that way, here goes" And
he landed a straight Highlander on Mr.
Smiths eye. Smith returned the blow with
interest, and they went at it in earnest. 1t
was said to be a beautiful fight. The testi-
mony of delighted spectators bears witness
to that fact When it was over the ardent
sutton helped his adversary up from the
sidewalk and remarked gently, II say old
man, hated to have this to do. But you
would have it that way And l want to
say that when you call again, if you do,
I'll have to do it all over again."
Didn't Call Again.
Mr.. Smith didn't call again, and for a
while things went smoothly once more, al
though the girl often had few thoughts Of
her own concerning the absentee that were
not precisely complimentary.
Some months later the young lover drop
ped in on his chum again. He looked
pretty serious, but he was as cheerful and
self-DOSSeSSed as ever.
do you know Sam Jones?' he inquired,
after time.
VERY WELL" said his friend Mice chap,
too. and husky one. Used to play full
back on one of the varsity teams couple
of years ago..
Hes been calling on the queen lately
said the young man quietly, land believe
she's getting to like him. These big men
sort of make hit with the little girls
WELL remarked his chum sympathet-
ically, guess you can't do anything this
time. Jones can knock the daylights out
of you without half trying
Guess he cam said the young man as he
strolled out, but he'll have the chance,
anyhow"
And that night he strolled down the IA
miiiar street. took his stand behind a tree
box and waited for the caller to emerge
And then he followed Jones to the corner
on the vacant lot and stated the case to
him.
ing down on the ardent sutton you're real
crazy. Trot along now or I'll spank you
and send you home"
WELL, said the young man. regretfully.
If you would rather have it that way.
here goes" And he landed fine uppercut
on Jones chin. That also was a fine scrap,
but it didn't last very long. When Jones
got through thrashing the ardent sutton in
return for wonderful looking nose and a
ably damaged eye. he kicked him off the
sidewalk and went home.
But the next time Jones emerged from
the girls house after making a call he
found the ardent sutton waiting for him as
before and stopped short with surprise.
What are you doing here, watching me?"
said Jones angrily, land what do you
want?"
Mother licking" said the young man,
composedly. He got it, good and hard, but
Jones' countenance again suffered consid-
erably. and Jones' clothing needed repairs
when 1t was over
The Performance Repeated.
The next time Jones called on the girl the
performance was repeated, and in the fourth
fight the ardent sutton was licked worse
than ever. But Jones never escaped scot
free, and his tailor's bills threatened bank
ruptcy. Finally, after the fourth fight,
while Jones was getting his breath and the
ardent sutton. having been licked to a stand
still, was trying to reduce two black eyes
with one small penknife, the former full
back remarked:
well l guess that about finishes you?''
'.Who said SOP asked the young man, APP
plying his knife first to one eye and then to
the other.
DO you mean to say" asked Jones, that
you are going to wait for me every night
make a call here and force me to beat you
to death at least once a week."
Sure" said the ardent sutton. do you
suppose I've been doing this for fun?'
We'll" said Jones, you ought to be
locked up. You're crazy, that's what you
are. But I'll tell you right here that you