New-York tribune., 1908-12-13
By John Kendrick Bangs

the wire. as the answer came Well the fact Is.
Tohn | want to get married, and you know | always
vowed that nobody else but you should ever tie
Delighted old fellow I'm reader than ever to
serve you. When is the happy event to be- asked
Now, S5Tt'} said Henderson
"Now?" gasped the minister. Why, my dear
fellow. how can /
A chucle came over the wire. Il knew it would
bowl you over, John, said Henderson; but YOU
said YOU werent busy what IS there to Interfere
Il know Tom; but how | get to Chicago
Here l am away down in Indiana, and even If |
caught the first train out | couldn't reach you pos
sibly till
You don't have to catch any trains, John Just
@Oh, / see You are coming here"
No, cant I'm too busy. That's the trouble
you to do 1t over the wire, was the eXtraor-
'. Hawkesiey dropped the receiver in his agitated
SURPRISE but speedily recovered It, and his self pos
session at the same time
new proposition to me, Tommy; but now that It
IS made / say 1t is quite characteristics Is the
bride there in your office:
No" said Henderson Il wish she was. She
in Boston"
Boston," roared the clergyman.
Yes; her number is 5000 Boylston.' replied the
bridegroom Miss Evelyn Bronson-you remem-
ber EVELYN Tohn. She came down TO our com
mencement, and l introduced you to her "~s
afraid YOU were going to cut me Out-then.
Il remember her very we'll, SAID the clergyman,
and | congratulate you, Tom; but, dear me! what
is the necessity for ths-thlS extraordinary pro
ceeding?"
"Its just this way, Johnny" Henderson ex-
planned I've been suddenly called TO London on
a very important deal our house IS mixed up IN,
and am leaving Chicago al twO-thTty this alter
noon | shall catch the steamer out OF Ne" YORK
bv a mighty narrow squeak as II IS. haven got
time to 90 to Boston and get married there, ana
rromised EVELYN that I'd never 60 abroad again
without her So we We arranged 10 have you marry
MS bv phone and after the ceremony Ill start tor
New York Evelyn will leave the Hub to-nIght
and meet me at the steamer. and there you are.
The Rev. Mr.. Hawkesley rubbed his eyes ana
scratched his head again He knew that these were
rapid times; but anything advanced as this had
never even 50 much as suggested itself to his magl-
nation before.
- But Tommy" he protested, Il have only one
teleDhone in the house and | don't see how can
connect with Boston and Chicago on 1t both at the
same time. ~
but | have arranged for triangular connection at
the Central offices in Boston, Chicago, and Bascom-
vile at twelve O'Clock sharp. At twelve CLOCK;
# Won will 90 over your Central oilce, they II
fix Won out with two phones, one connecting with
me here and the other with Evelyn IN Boston
Then all you have got to do IS TO reid me service
ask us the necessary questions, when assure you
we will answer without unnecessary delay, and the
deed will be did There only one other way Johh'
and that Is for YOU 90 to New or X, marry US on
the steamer as she sails down the bay, and come
back with the pilot That would give YOU a lot OF
trouble and besides 1t wouldn't look well. Come
on old fellow Say yes, and make Us all happy
I've made all the arrangements, and II you pun
ont now IT viii upset all our plans.
Poor Uawkcsleyi what could he do but acqu-
r,cee After all, unusual though The proceeding
WAS why shouldn't he do it The contracting par
ties were not only of age but far bey ond H. ana te
thing was done not for sensational purposes Pul
for reasons that were beyond the control OF either
the bride or the groom
All right Tom. he said " III do IT. but never
-t me hear anybody say again tIil llirlt - +''S
new under the sun ..r,,,.
Good, was the enthusiastic response Twelve