The Press., 1908-04-01
The Dinwiddies'
= Wedding =
q Journey. q
Copyrighted. 1907. by e. c. PARCELS.
Rv FLORENCE E. BROOKS.

one of these machines. He and his
this way, going where fancy dictated.
The quiet morning wedding was held
at the country home of the bride, and
with the exception Of the two families
and officiating clergymen, no one was
present except Ronald Smith, the
groom's chum and almost brother, who
was equally addicted to the auto
though not so expert in its manage
ment.
The wedding service was over, and
the moment had arrived for the de-
parture of the bridal couple. Every
one was out ON the driveway to bid
them godspeed. The baggage having
been sent on ahead, the bride was
helped to her seat, and her newly
made husband was about to take his
place beside her when upon putting
his hand into his pocket blank look
overspread his face.
"Well," he exclaimed, II came I'M
comfortably near forgetting my peck
etbook."
With this he ran into the house, en-
tering the room where he remembered
having placed 1t while he dressed. 1t
was not there, and while he continued
the search his bride became FESTIVE
and began examining the various parts
of the auto, when suddenly it started
to move.
Ronald Smith sprang up beside her
and frantically attempted to stop the
machine. Working with it a moment.
he was Mortified to see it shoot off at
full speed.
The little bride screamed and wildly
clutched the back Of her seat.
Strange l can't stop this thing"
calculated Smith There seems to be
something about it new to me-"
His repeated efforts were of no avail,
and they were now out of sight Of the
house and going as fast as ever.
"Oh, Mr.. Smith, can't you stop lt?'
walled the poor bride.
1.-THE most | can do is to keep it in
the middle Of the road, Mrs. Dinwid-
die"
what will Algernon think?"
"That you've gone with another
though not handsomeP man." he said
with a laugh.
81 don't think that was a bit nice
of you" she pouted.
81 beg your pardon, Mrs. Dinwid
die"
At the new title she blushed prettily,
then said:
''But If you can't stop this horrible
machine we shall be killed."
"Oh, no. But sit perfectly still and
hold on tightly. There is one comfort,
1t can't go on forever, like the brook,
you know" said Smith consolingly.
They were tearing along like mad.
The fence rails at the roadside appear
ed almost continuous and the trees a
confused mass. Smiths hat had
blown off. He did not dare to look to
the right or to the left, but concen-
trated all his energies to the task Of
keeping to the road.
The farmers in the fields which they
passed gazed after them with open
mouthed am0Zement.
Just then Smith discovered q coming
wagon.
Turn out! Turn out, for Gods
sake!' he roared.
Thus admonished, the driver Of the
wagon quickly did as requested. 1t
was a close shave, and the trembling
bride drew a long breath of relief
when they had safely passed. Then
she remembered a long, steep hill
ahead,
1--WE can never go down that hill at
this rate OF speed" she exclaimed ex-
citedly, Turn of, Mr.. Smith; turn of
quickly! Down that road to the left"
pointing,
"Where does it go2"
s"Oh, I'm sure don't know, but any
where is better than that hill"
Smith, who now felt as If his hair
were standing on end, carefully guild
ed the machine into the left hand road.
The speed was SO great and the turn
SO sharp they came within an ace of
going over. The road they had en-
tered was very narrow indeed, little
more than a lane; also 1t was very
rough. The auto went bumpty bump
till 1t seemed every moment would be
their last.
Suddenly they both saw the lane
end In large field. Smith shut his
lips together firmly when he thought
what would have happened had the
gate into the field been closed, but he
only said:
"We'll run in here and go round in a
circle till this Internal thing runs
down. Oh, I beg your pardon, Mrs.
Don't mention It," said she quite
calmly.
The field was rather rough, and they
both were too intent-he upon trying
to guide the auto and she upon keep.
Ing her balance-to indulge in extend
ed conversation. However, by the
time they had made the circle Of the
deld dozen times the bride cried:
~r)h, am getting dizzyw
"Shut your eyes, but hold on tight
ly," Smith answered.
'Hi there! What re you idjits spilin'
my clover fer? Stop, L say" CON-
an old farmer from the fence.
The bride was so startled she near
ly fell from her seat.
Haven't time to stop today" roar
ed Smith without turning his head.
And he again shot around the circle,
"Ye'll pay fer tibet clover, all right,
my man" shouted the farmer the
next time they came up to him.
Then he sat on the fence and had
some encouraging word for them each
time they came round.
''This is becoming decidedly monot-
onous," remarked Smith.
II find it highly exciting" disagreed
the bride.
That old duffer is adding insult to
injury" growled Smith Il wonder
1oes he think we are circling round
this field for pleasure or for the good
of our health?'
I'm devOutly thankful none of our
friends can see the edifying spectacle"
answered the bride. But do you think |