The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-08-02
JOHN HENRY
A PARTNER

Seven weeks and then the wedding
bells will get busy for you, eh,
Bunch?" l chuckled.
"Surest thing you know" my old pal
Jefferson replied, somewhat dolefully.
81 must dig up a few old shoes and
have plate of cold rice pudding on
the doorstep" went on. IT'S going
to afford me a bunch Of keen delight
to soak you in the midriff with a
rusty patent leather and then push a
few rice fritters in under your coat
collar, believe mel"
Bunch tried to pull a smile, but his
face didn't feel like working, and the
finish was a mournful sigh.
John" he said, after the waiter had
crowded the sizz-water into the wood
alcohol, I'm a plain case of shrimp!"
"Oh, sush!" said; you'll get over
that, Bunch. Isn't it a hit how we
young fellows begin to warm wise to
ourselves the moment we get flash
of the orange blossoms. We think OF
the beautiful little lady we are lead
ing to the altar and then we think of
the many beautiful souses we have led
by the hand, and we begin to ask our
selves if we are worthy. Before we
can get the right answer the preacher
has dropped the flag, the ceremonies
are over, and after that the struggle
to supply three squares a day puts the
boots to every other worry; am
right, Gonsalvo?"
"I s'pose so, john" Bunch replied,
but 1t isn't a case Of rattles with me.
Pm shy with the mazume, and it looks
now as If that little trip to the minis
ter's will have to be postponed in
definitely"
"Skidoo, skidoo, and quit me, Mr..
Josheimerp suggested.
81 mean it, john" Bunch came
back. ~ can't lead a girl like Alice
Grey into the roped arena of matri-
mony when I haven't the price of an
omelette for the wedding breakfast,
now can II"
Great Scott, Bunch, have you been
frisked for your roll?" asked. Aren't
YOU the man from Ohio that was so
polite he gave his bank to the ladyY
II you are, it serves you right"
mo, john" Bunch answered mourn
fully, but l had to go to Saratoga on
a business trip, and while there"
Wait, Bunch" l Clipped in; I've
got you sized. While in Saratoga you
met a couple OF wise voices who
talked nothing but sure-things, so you
for the race track to spill your coin,
eh, Bunch?
"weu. John, I'll tell you how it
was" Bunch tried to square himself.
"My roll was just five thousand
strong. and began TO wish for about
two thousand more, so that / could
take the little wife over the wild waves
and point out Paris and the Riviera to
her. In Saratoga l met quick talker
named Ike Gibson and he played me
for a good, steady listener. Ike show
cred me with cinches and in short or
der was down with race-trackitis'
And then
did they sting you for the whole
bundle?" l asked.
mot quite" Bunch answered sadly;
.'but they certainly put crimp in my
wallet. I'm only $500 strong now
and that's not enough to tip the porter
on the honeymoon journey. You know
John, I'm only drawing 500 a week
from the brokerage business, and III
get nervous If l can't make up purse
quicker than that. I'll simply have to
90 10 Alice and Uncle William Grey
ana get a setback, and--say, john
I'm a polish, for fairI Alice is ma
ring all her preparations, and has hel
mind fastened to the date, and all that