Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-03-18
HE WAS ON TIME.

menus is hardly reaSSurlng.
You'll be certain to be on time.
won't you, old MANI urged Harris.
you won't disappoint me on an
occasion like this?" And Little re-
sponded with equal feeling: You can
depend on me, my dear boy. No one
can say that Dick Little ever failed to
stand by friend in trouble" Harris
forgave the unpleasant suggessiveness
of this remark because of Littles evil
dent sincerity.
And Titles intentions were good.
The wedding was TO take place at five
O'Clock In the afternoon, and at noon
of the eventful day he left the Office
and retired to his home in the suburbs
to array himself in purple and fine
linen. The cab he had ordered to call
for him waited at the door till within
three minutes Of train time, and then
the horses galloped all the way to the
station. Settle with you tomorrow.
joe" called Little as he swung himself
upon the steps of the moving coach,
and the driver grinned, knowing him
of old.
Little was leaning back comfortably
in his seat, congratulating himself on
making his train, when the conductor
appeared and then came Titles hor-
rible awakening. He felt in each
pocket number of times, without sat
isfying results. Unfortunately the
conductor was not the one with whom
he made his daily trips into town, yet
on his approach Little tackled him
confidently.
I'm afraid you'll have to pass me
to-day" said Little. 1--WE changed my
clothes and l haven't a cent with me.
But must get TO the city without fail.
Pm to be best man for a chum Of
mine"
Whatever other people may say, Lit
tie will always insist that conductors
have human feelings. The official dig
nifty of this particular representative
relaxed on hearing of Titles plight.
He not only passed him, but lent him
dime to pay telephone charges.
Within five minutes after reaching
the city, Little had called up his home,
and was instructing his mother to send
In his pocketbook by the conductor Of
the next train. And send along that
wedding invitation, too" said Little,
earnestly. 1--WE forgotten where the
girl lives, and | don't know her first
name nor her fathers business, 50 l
can't find the place without It,"
Little was on hand when the next
train pulled in, Even his irresponsi-
BILE mind realized that the time was
getting short This conductor knew
him, and smiled significantly as he
handed him a parcel directed in his
mothers handwriting 1t contained
the pocketbook, and a note from his
mother.
II have looked everywhere for that
invitation" the note ran, land it is not
to be found. If only you could learn"
But here Little put the note in his
pocket. He had no time for lectures.
At this crisis Little had one of the
happy inspirations that have been his
salvation many time. He made his
best speed to the sidewalk, and sprang
into cab, shouting to the driver: ITO
the county building for your life" In
spired by his fares manner, the man
whipped up his horses, and endan-
gered the lives of several pedestrians
before reaching the place.
Little soon found his way to the
room where so many fates are sealed
for better or worse, and hastily APP
preached a window The Individual
behind it took his errand for granted
and did not even look up Take off
your hat and raise your right hand"
he commanded in an official sing-song.
do you solemnly swear"
Hold on exclaimed Little, break
ing into a cold sweat. 81 don't want
to get married. l want to find out
where a girl lives.
At this confession, the official con-
descended to look at him. See here"
he began, Indignantly, "if you suppose
this is a matrimonial agency"
Again Little explained with all the
eloquence of which he was master, and
again he proved that a touch of nature
makes the whole world kin. The Off
cial was interested at once, though
he explained that the search might
be a tedious one, as it was impossible
to tell when Harris had taken out his
/ license. AS good luck would nave it,
however, he had postponed this i'm
portant formality till that very morn
ing Put it off till the last minute,
poor old boy" sighed Little pltying-
ly. He wrote the brides address,
wrung the hand of his helper, and
rushed back to his cab, promising the
driver a goodly addition to his regu-
lar fare, provided he covered the
distance in a specified time. Then
he lighted a cigar with the comforting
reflection that everything was as 1t
should be.
There was an air of expectancy
about the brides house where Little
stopped. He was hurried at once
into the bridegrooms presence, who,
pale and limp, after the fashion of his
kind, grasped his hand with an air of
rnfetgned relief