Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-04-20
BIFFS WEDDING

o1 oCheAle SO beautifully
with that golden hair. All he will have
to do is unroll one of the ribbons for the
aisle. Do say yes, Mrs. Hunter"
ALL echoed the mother of Biff. CALI"
she repeated MY dear Miss Farming
ton, that child is quite capable of PLAYING
q sudden game of iumn-the-rone wit5
your white satin ribbon or using Il ia
lasso the rector"
But he will look so angelic all in
white persisted the bride to-be. "Those
Russian blouse suits become him so and
he walks so well. | shall count on him
then"
Thus it became necessary for Biff's
mother to break the news to him of his
impending debut at a church wedding.
why should l walk down the aisle ?"
he demanded, calmly. "Do l have to be
married. too? What for? Why?"
By dint of hard mental labor and the
exercise of maternal patience Biff's
mother made him family comprehend his
part in the scheme OF things. Still. he
was doubtful. At the mention of white
silk stockings he began to regard the
prospect with favor, until in her haste
to clinch his consent his mother men
toned as an especially alluring point
that a nice, sweet little girl was to be
his companion in that promenade down
the aisle-a little girl he knew, Retta
Kingston
Biff showed the white feather instant
ly. Il will not 90 down the aisle with
Il grill" he prot ted with the stormy
insistence of 6-year old. why should
[? Amt [ enough just by myself? l
don't like Retta, anyhow"
More diplomacy on the part of his
mother caused Biff to relent. ''WeIl, any
how he said, with an air OF finality, IF
let her walk with me and she doesn't
keep step I'll punch her face
He's just as apt as not to do it, too
walled Mrs. Hunter to the bride elect.
I'm so Worried!;s
As the time for the wedding drew
near Bif had sundry attacks of back
sliding. Whenever it was necessary for
him to be fitted with a coat or expert
mented on in regard to a proper tie or Il
new shoe his stage fright grew severe
and required chocolate creams or similar
soothing applications before it was van
quished. Being a shrewd youngster, Biff
detected possibilities in this situation
Toward the end he held out strenuously.
He didn't want to be q page at the we'd
ding and he wasn't going to be, and that
was all there was about it. Chocolate
creams he scorned and stood firm in his
defiance. Even the Establishments of the
bride-to-be had no effect on his adaman-
tine young heart.
You must, Biff!" his mother said
finally in the low, tense tone of voice
stage heroines always use at the critical
moment when they add to a great scene
by acting it with repression. You SIM
ply must. now that everything is ar
ranged Is there anything you particu-
larly want? I'll give it to you If only
You'll be good boy and do as you first
said YOU would.
Biff considered the prospect with IN
ward ioy. Il think | would like to 90
to that play Jimmy went to-" he finally
announced.
You certainly may 60" promised his
overjoyed mother.
Biff remembered that he must keep up
the attitude of a martyr. All right,
he said with Il gentle sigh. "fll do It,
Rnt please. let's not talk about it any
more
Regard for Biff's mighty sacrifice of
self led the family to respect his wish.
Also thew were afraid he might change
his mind again were the topic brought
to his attention.
The night of the wedding Biff's mother
s,,fYorad from nervousness, for her pride
and iov had been in a particularly impish
mood all dav. and his chief charm, ex-
cont on a public occasion like this, was
liz unexpectedness. No human being
could know what the crinkles in Biff's
brain woul>. lead him to do next. And.
whatever it was, it was certain to be
thoroughly done He might drop the rib
hon half way down the aisle and Chamber
into the pew with his family; he might
drag marbles out of his pocket and have
= came on the chancel steps; he might
interrupt the rector and converse WIN
him Biff's mother had thirteen varieties
of cold chills as she sat and waited ana
smiled in her best society manner as
though she were enjoying herself.
There was portentous STRAIN OF mu-
sic and then hush. The bridal process
sion started. :.
Could that be Biff-that angelic-faced
child gazing heavenward, holding the
ribbon so gracefully, stepping so easily
His mother held her breath III an agony
of apprehension. Little Retta reached
the end of the aisle unscathed as TO lace
and Biff's lips were still closed. Hlgh
mn on the steps he was posed IN his
proper place. Then he turned and sur
reyed the people interestedly, unemoar-
rassedly. til
Suddenly his mouth opened VIDE,
v;der-it w:.s a yawn. 1t is not given
many people to see such comprehensive
al. embracing yawn. As has been said,
Riff did things thoroughly. 1t really was
a scandalous yawn. n.a,-
I am only thankful" shivered Bin 5
mother as the procession came back down
the aisle. that it was no worse. But
Yes. I had a good time" said Bill
sIeepily that night, his hands full OF
wedding cake say, can l go over TO
Johnnie Martins tomorrow to play with