St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1909-07-31
The Methods of Josephine
By Ella Middleton Tybout
Copyright, by J. B. Lppincott Coz

such hideous name. And he'll wait
till l come, and-and-"
Josephine suddenly sat upright and
grasped my hand.
You CO." she said, you go, and
explain things"
1t is needless to recount the argu-
ment that followed. Enough to say
that finally agreed to go and tell
the man waiting to marry my niece
that, after all, she preferred some one
else
Josephine produced a long, light
cloak and wrapped me in it; she also
adorned me with large hat loaded
with plumes, because, she explained,
Harry would be looking for just that
costume. Over the hat and face she
tied a thick veil, remarking that no
one could possibly tell who was in
side it, and perhaps Harry would
marry me in spite of myself, as he
was very impatient. Then she gig
gled Historically.
Secure in the consciousness of my
rectitude, compressed my lips and
drew on my rubbers.
It was not a pleasant evening. A
fine, sleety rain fell steadily, turning
the pavements into shining sheets of
glass, over which / Ehufded carefully.
Trinity church is situated on side
street entirely off the main thorough
fare, where it is very quiet and Sc
cluded. 1 paused as reached the
little to the left of the breast bone,
as described in physiologes when To-
eating the heart. Its throbbing was
very evident.
Summoning all my fortitude,
looked in the direction of the church.
There, beside the lamppost, stood
manly form, and drawn conveniently
close to the curbing was herdic cab.
Suddenly an arm appeared about my
waist, face was pressed close to
mine. and distinctly felt the pricking
of a mustache. I blushed beneath
the veil and was glad the street hap
pened to be dark and quiet.
I found myself gently but forcibly
propelled towards the cab, the door
of which stood invitingly open. Twice
strove to articulate, but both times
my voice failed me.
I'm going on the box with the
cabby," he continued, cheerfully, ito
make sure he gets the right place. 1t
won't do to have any mistake, you
know. Now, then, in you CO."
And found myself picked up bodily
and deposited in the cab. The door
slammed and we were off.
I was clipping.
My first impulse was to scream, but
this I resisted firmly; my second, to
draw the laprobe closer about me, and /
to this yielded and resigned myself
to the inevitable.
The cab stopped abruptly and the
cab door was flung eagerly open.
Strange fluctuations travelled up and
down my spine.
We were in the chapel by this time,
and the clergyman in his robes was
waiting for us with two Witnesses
everything very proper and legal AS
] could not trust my voice I began
to tumble with my veil; at least
could uncover nay face.
Let me help you," he said, gently,
and united the knot.
I turned and faced him, and for a
though petrifed.
"The DEVIL" he exclaimed, very
rudely, thought.
made a gigantic effort to speak.
"My dear young friend" said in a
voice which sounded weak and au-
tomato to my own ears, Il fear my
presence may be somewhat of a dis |
as we'll as sur
prise"
But I got no further, for he turned |
to the clergyman as though |
terrified.
Take her away" he gasped, there's
some mistake. Let me out of this!"
But the minister lifted his hand
solemnly.
"There seems to be some strange |
Misrepresentation" he said, sternly;
'let us get to the bottom of this mat
ter at once. Did you expect to marry
this gentleman, madam? Pray ex-
plain"
And l explained as we'll as could.
When l reached home-a long time
after, for the distance was great and
the street cars Slow found nv
wrapper and slippers laid out in my
room and Josephine lowering anxious
lv about the window watching for me.
I told her the whole story, and she
laughed in a way thought ungratefu.
and unappreciative.
Josephine" l said solemnly, "I
shall never recover from this nights
experience. 1 hope you will always
remember all have done for you
"Oh, WELL" returned Josephine care
lessly, "of course it was awfully good
of you, but do you know, Aunt Ger
trude, I think you bungled the thing
most awfully."
Her Native City.
The misapplication of words in Or
binary conversation is one of the pos
tive and peculiar traits Of large pro.
portion of the negro race. due in