Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-09-20

had never seen in such place before),
and my fear lest lie should create a
diversion by some eccentric conduct
Not until after the wedding party
was assembled at breakfast did uncle
Sam give rein to his usual pleasantly.
and then to no very great extent.
remember he inquired, across the table.
what my wife and I thought Of the
reverend gentleman's boots.
"Think of the reverend gentleman's
boots" 1 echoed in surprise. Really
l didn't observe them. Did you, Con-
ME. dear?"
mot very particularly" stammered
my wife, Intellectually endeavoring to
suppress laugh.
"Why, how can you say that" asked
uncle Sam. 1.-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 willie
he was exhorting you to be mindful
of your new duties. assure you /
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;
but aunt Gertrude came to the rescue
aDd protested against remarks Of a
personal nature generally, and particu-
larly in the case of q 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 a 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 satlrists have given those hostages
| to Fortune WHICH so many of us would
like to redeem, entertain very spe.
! cial and real affection" said uncle
Sam. THE bride is the only sister Of
my dear wife, and a daughter Of my
friend and benefactor. l have known
her all her life, and l say Of her. that
no truer or more amiable lady can be
found between Maine and California.
!! She was my ward; and my duty to her
has also been my pleasure from the
day l became her guardian until you
saw me surrender her to her husband
and with her all that I held In trust
for her, with something over aud
above. The bridegroom Is the only son
of one, who. In my youthful days in
England before entertained a thought
of setting foot on this continent. had
promised to become my wife-a prom
Use she was forced to break-and of my
only brother, whom | do not expect to
see again. 1t is for these reasons
chiefly that am prejudiced in favor Of
the bridcgroom-fo he Is no genius,
would ever have burdened him with
much property; he is a tihe senti-
mental, and lacks resolution and fiXity
of purpose. Nevertheless he has proved
himself faithful friend and pupil Of
at 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 toast 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; Il
retort which, obvious as it was,
seemed to 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 We're eXhib
tied in a 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
al
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.
| 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 a plain.
tightly-titting travelling dress, ready to
depart. My uncle closed the door in
Il cautious way as soon as we had en-.
tered the room, which circumstance,
as well us the serious looks of aunt
Gertrude and my wife, filled me with
alarm
| was about to inquire the meaning
VI ull tlllS ucu unClc ISdlu SDOhe, LILY
wife meanwhile observing me closely
to note the effect of his words upon
me. "a letter from England arrived
for you this morning" he said, "and
by good fortune it fell into my hands.
have kept it from you until now. for
your benefit; for you would not have
liked your marriage to have been
again postponed. / don't know how it
may prove, but l greatly fear that it
contains bad news. However that
may be, take courage for your wife's
sake as well as your own. Remember
my recent experience, and never let
it be saidsthat the old man was braver
than thn vnllnr onav And hoyipr