The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-11-03
John Henry
Wedding
By GEORGE v. HOBART

Clara J. had said yes" and the
next evening | waded into the VAN
vivyer mansion to drag Papa's and
Mammals consent away from them.
So long as / played light comedy
roles I knew / was a hot favorite with
the old folks 1t home, but when ii
came to doing a leading part and
walking off with the daughter, | be
gan to get uneasy for fear they'd
reach for the egg basket and hand me
q few unripe scrambles.
When I squeezed through the por-
there ] found the old lady and gentle
MIN yer busy discussing their plans
for a summer trip.
Where are you going to spend the
summer, John?" inquired Father, CIV
Ing me a limp paw. which [ shook
hurriedly and then handed back to
him.
Here was an opening-a grand
chance to butt in right at the go of.
Well, to tell you the solemn. we
haven't decided yet" / answered
WEI" they both echoed.
Why. John, / thought you were
playing a lone hand9" said the old
gentleman. I've always known you
IS a young man. who could walk up
and down Easy street without a
guardian or a time-card. This is the
first time I ever heard you speak of
q pull-back, Whence the WEI"
Il always thought you were free to
go and come as o pleased, John"
the old lady put in.
Here was my chance to climb the
family tree and knock down the fruit,
but for some reason OF other the
blood seemed to rush to my voice,
and I went backwards like a crab.
Papa had fixed me with his steel
blue eyes, and 1 could see by mothers
expression that she was beginning to
set me back es one of those double
life leaders.
Ny collar began to faint and my
hands grew nervous and wanted to
fight each other.
The fact is, ladies and gentlemen
er-f NEAR Mr.. V~anvivver, and you,
too. Mother-er-that is"
Then I grabbed a catfish grin and
sat there till | used 1t all up. | was
over the edge. Say, this marriage
business is immense after the whistle
blows. but the preliminaries make me
sick
You seem to be a little to the
bad this evening. john" said Father.
and Mamma began to shake her head,
rs though she had a mental tintype
of me far out on the road to ruin, and
walking fast
/ went at them again. "As a mat
ter or fact, I merely dropped around
this evening to inquire If you could
that lis to say. If it is possible for you
to give me-to give me your-your-|
err"
again and not a life pre-
server in sight.
Il was pififul.
Most extraordinary attack Of hesi-
tation l ever knew you to have said
Father. while Mamma simply sat there
and focused me with her sad, re-
Irroachful lanterns.
Perhaps you need something to
brace you up" suggested the old gen.
tleman.
7 needed a sanitarium and a corps
of efficient physicians. but l didn't
say 81.
At that moment I was doing a
chump act neve before equalled In
the history of the world. My eyes
looked like a couple of vacant lots
and / had reversed grins. and was
now using the style most affected by
q stuffed leopard.
The boy may be suffering from
d~ncipient brain fever, or is he in
7cVe?" whispered the old lady.
HUH" exclaimed Papa; ~in love.
Ell? That's it. When's the wedding?
who's the girl? Sorry to lose you,
John, but the best of friends must
part In the divorce court. Ha, hal"
That cackle went right through me
and splashed on b wall behind me.
The old man was a fierce Joke pusher.
Come on now. john" be con-
kinued; who is she? Have you told
Clara? She'll be lonely. for you are
certainly the beet time killer she wei
had. Speak out; we are your friends,