The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-02-16
BRIDEGROOM IN HANDcuFFs.
Victim Of Practical Joke Starts on
Wedding Trip Like Criminal

more miserably conscious OF tie y. ads
of matrimony than w. j. Down, 3. oi
Sioux City, who arrived here rDct. as.
1t was his wedding tour. but whea tho
train pulled in he was in iron ami his
young wife was on the verge OF hy,ter-
les. His marriage was his oitense.
and to emphasize his crime parry Of
friends who had come down to the
station in Sioux City to see him OF
had snapped the handouts on his
wrist just as the train started. IL
was not until he was getting oil the
train here to find a blacksmith to re-
lease him that conductor stepped for
ward and unlocked the handouts. Tho
key had been given to him in pack
age at Sioux City, with strict instruc-
tions 1t was not to be opened until
Omaha was reached.
Downey is a prominent figure in the
society Of Sioux City, and as both his
and the brides families are known
well there their wedding was big af-
fair. No hint Of the plot against his
happiness was allowed to escape the
conspirators, and up to the last min
ute Downey stood chatting and laugh
ing with them on the platform. He
shook hands with his groomsman for
the last time. and If the pressure with
which the other grasped both his
hands was somewhat firmer than us
ual he only put 1t down to warmth
of kindly feeling Suddenly there
was a clash of steel and as he turned
round to Chamber on to the moving
train he found pair OF handouts
securely on his wrists.
you will find a first-class black
smith in Omaha!" shouted voice.
and Downey, hiding his hands under
his coat as best he could. had to
march down the car and rejoin his
wife fettered like a criminal.
For a few minutes 1t seemed quite
funny, and the young couple laughed
consume edly at the joke that had been
played on him. The handouts were a
beautiful pair, bright and new and
shiny; but presently the conviction
bore in on the man that they were the
real thing and that, twist and turn as
he would, he could not get them off.
After all, it was rather a stupid joke.
but still
Tickets, please" said the conduc-
tor
Downey turned white and looked at
his wife, who turned red. He groped
around so clumslly for several min
utes that the conductor grew impa-
tient and the attention of half the
car was centered on him. Wonder
was expressed openly that such nice
looking pair should be trying to beat
their way. At last Downey gave it up.
They are In the inside pocket Of
my waistcoat," he whispered to his
bride. And would you mind taking
my handkerchief and wiping my face?
1t seems warm here"
Mrs. Downey. who was just as warm
followed his instructions, but by this
time all the passengers were alive to
the unusual situation and wonder gave
way to more pointed speculation. TO
with peaches and cream. This was
in the dining car where Mrs. Downey,
to soothe his ruffled nerves. fed him
escape it all the pair sought refuge
more than tolerable, and the bride
groom was beginning to recover his
temper when some one saw what was
going on.
Word was carried back to the coach
they had left, and in few minutes
every seat in the dining car was oc'
cupied by a grinning passenger. Dow
neg fused and fumed, wrenching at
the handouts till they cut into
his wrists. but the only result was to
add to his wrath against his friends
| in Sioux City. When at length the
rain reached Omaha Mrs. Downey was
almost in Mysteries. and as the crowd
| followed them out onto the platform
she almost tainted. Happily the con
ductor appeared with the key in time
| to save them a tour through the town
and Downey continued his bridal triI
free man.