The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-15

ing minister of the church; and my url-
easy clances at uncle Sam (whom L
had never seen in such place beforel,
and my fear lest he should create
diversion by some eccentric conduct.
Not until after the wedding party
was assembled ut breakfast did uncle
Sam give rein 10 his usual pleasantly,
and then to no very great extent. L
remember he inquired. across the table,
what my wife and l thought Of the
reverend gentleman's boots.
Think of the reverend gentleman's
boots.w l echoed in surprise. Really
didn't observe them. Did you, Con-
ME, DEAR"
Not very particularly" stammered
my wife, Intellectually endeavoring TO
suppress laugh.
! why. how can you say that?" asked
uncle Sam. THE reverend doctor
wears the largest boots in New York,
! as many rash wagerers know to their
cost; and observed you both intently
contemplating their dimensions while
he was exhorting you to be mindful
of your new duties. / assure you I
am very glad if 1 am mistaken, for
there could be no better proof of your
attention to his precepts.'
There was suppressed litter at this;
out aunt Gertrude came to the rescue
and protested against remarks of a
personal nature generally, and particu-
larly in the case of gentleman highly
esteemed by all who had the privilege
Of his acquaintance. Uncle Sam agreed.
and declared that he had not only com.
plimented the minister by asserting.
in other words. that he had larger
| understanding than any other man in
. New York.
Several of my uncle's friends ten
dered their congratulations in the time
honored platitudes which have served
on innumerable similar occasions, after
which uncle Sam rose. and glass in
hand. invited all present to drink to the
health. prosperity and long life Of the
bride and bridegroom. For the happy
pair opposite, who with all the courage
of ineXperience and in defiance of sages
and satiristS have given those hostages
to Fortune which so many Of US would
like to redeem. entertain a very spe-
: cial and real Affection said uncle
, Sam. The bride is the only sister OF
. my dear wife, and daughter o. my
friend and benefactor. / have known
her all her life, and l say of her, that
no truer or more amiable lady can he
found between Maine and California.
She was my ward; and my duty to her
I has also been my pleasure from the
day I became her guardian until you
saw me surrender her to her husband
and with her all that l held in trust
for her, with something over and
above. The bridegroom Is the only son
of one. who. in my youthful days in
England before / entertained thought
Of setting foot on this continent, had
promised to become my wife-a prom
ise she was forced to break-and Of my
only brother, whom l do not expect to
see again. 1t is for these reasons
chiefly that am prejudiced in favor Of
the bridegroom-for he is no genius,
and don't suppose his unaided efforts
would ever have burdened him with
much property; he is a trife senti-
mental. and lacks resolution and tixity
of purpose. Nevertheless he has proved
himself faithful friend and pupil Of
1t least average aptitude. 1t Is with
much pleasure and confidence that I
ask you to join me in wishing health,
prosperity and long life to Mr.. and Mrs.
Ernest Truman"
The toaS. was drunk with enthus-
iaSm. everybody standing. In my
brief reply l unreservedly admitted
the accuracy of my uncle's estimate
of my powers. and congratulated my
self on having won not only his good
will but wife the equal of his own
in fortune and every personal grace.
Notwithstanding the natural defects
to which he had called attention; a
retort which, obvious as it was,
seemed 10 put the company into great
good humor.
BY this the hour was reached when
it was necessary that my wife should
prepare for our departure to Saratoga.
and the party left the tables to inspect
the wedding gifts. which were eXhib-
tied in large room devoted exclu-
sively to that purpose-a valuable col.
lection Of jewels and fancy articles,
at which could not look without the
painful thought that nothing from
Holdenhurst was among them.
1t wanted not more than half an
hour of the time fixed for our depart
ure when uncle Sam. with an air Of
mystery. beckoned me to follow him.
l did so, wondering what his purpose
could be. He led the way to his study,
where aunt Gertrude and my wife
awaited US. the latter now in plain,
ticEtly.fittinr travelling dress. ready to