The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-09-03
The Stolen
Wedding Trip
BY HOWARD CROSBY WARREN
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u ,arI.ri.rht l1 Short SinrN DIN

Copyright, by Shortstory Pub. COS
There was a fire in the electric-light
station on Forty-sixth street one even
ing last June-not very serious one,
but Just enough to throw the whole
plant out of gear. The company set
to work energetically and had every
thing in full running order again by
nine o'clock. This incident the or
binary householder and pedestrian
would have regarded merely as a
nuisance, but, singulary enough, it
was but a few minutes before the fire
that the discovery Of serious leak
in the gas main had necessitated cut
ting off the gas, thus plunging that
section of the city into total dark
ness for nearly two hours. Then every
body criticised both companies i'm
partially and forgot the matter next
day. But there are at least two
families who will not soon forget the
episode.
When the lights went out at Cart
wright e. Taylor's livery stable, Mr.,
Taylor was in the act of giving direc-
tons to several of his drivers. Two
large church weddings were sched-
uled for the same hour, and a number
of carriages had been ordered from his
establishment.
Hurry up, boys, or you'll be late"
he cried. Won't do to keep them
weddn's waitin Here, Mike, you so
to Judge Soto's on Fifth avenue. They
are the groom, you know. And you,
Tom Baker, hustle round to 81 West
Thirty Blankth street - that's the
other groom And say, Tom, you're
to"
Just then the office was thrown into
utter darkness. Several men at once
scurred off after lanterns. Mr.. Tay-
lor waited few moments and then
impatiently struck some matches and
peered at the list. The second match
burned his fingers and he dropped it
with an emphatic remark. Then he
continued in the darkness: You're
to drive them to st. Basils church,
you know. And you, Mike, you're to
take Mr.. De Soto to 81. Jobs Be
lively, now!"
Lanterns now appeared the hustle
and confusion subsidized and Mr.. Tay-
lor proceeded to give out the remain
ing directions.
Tom Baker was kept waiting in
front of No 81 some time. Henry
inc ur4AliDU tpi1it
when the lights went out and his
progress was somewhat impeded by
the occurrence. Being a stranger in
town. he was uncertain how to meet
the emergency. At last he managed
to summon help and lamp from the
parlor was temporarily secured His
Cousin John, who was to act as best
man, had Jared no better; and so
by the time both were ready to start,
they realized they were already due
at the church.
Touch her up lively, driver" said
John as they leaped into the vehicle.
Henry was too preoccupied to OBJ,
serve the church, but some things
about the gathering in the chancel
puzzled him not little. What was
that peculiar pose of Alice's? Who
was that usher there at his right,
whom he did not recognize? Why was
But, there. He was only to be
married once-better attend to the
ceremony, and not let his thoughts
wander in that Style
"Wilt thou have this woman to
thy welded wife," the clergyman was
saying.
Wait a minute, Dr. Gould" shout.
ed Henry, to the astonishment Of
every one This is not Alice Eos
ter ! am sure. No, ! will not have
this woman to my welded wife,"
YOU'D better not try!" cried an
excited voice from the rear of the
church. And then every one burst
out laughing, for the voice was unmis-
takably that OF George De Soto, and
his friends realized all at once that
the man who stood beside the bride
was stranger.
De Soto and his friend had discovered
their mistake Immediately on entering
St. Jobs and had fastened at once to
st. Basils.
Henry and his cousin hurried down
the aisle amid renewed ripple OF
laughter In his confusion Henry
seized the overcoat De Soto had just
left in the vestry and flew out with II
into the street The carriage that had
brought De Soto was standing where
they had left their own few mo.
ments before. They jumped inside
calling out to the driver: "St. job
church, corner Of Fifty-Blankth street,
you stupid fool" and sank back on
the cushions, snickering
Arrived at St Jobs, the DELAYED
ceremony was completed without fur.
Their mishap and Henry and Alice
soon passed down the aisle together
man and wife. They entered the car.
riage I'm which Henry had come. and
drove away.
Now, old Mike the driver. was not
the quickest witted man in the world
On the way to the church he had been
told by De Soto, who was always very
exact, that after the wedding he was