Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-03-23

Hon, old Ira Lathrop stalked, on his
way back to his seat to get more
cigars.
Have some rice for the bridal
couple" said Ashton, offering him o!
his own double-handful.
But Lathrop brushed him aside
with q romance-hater's growl.
Watch out for your head, then"
cried Hudson, and Lathrop ducked
lust too late to escape neck-tilling,
hair-flling shower. An old shoe took
him a clip abaft the ear, and the old
woDan-hater dropped raging into the
same berth where the spinster Anne
Cattle, was trying 10 dodge the same
downpour.
Still there was enough OF the
shrapnel left to overwhelm the two
young friends" who marched into
the aisle. trying to look Indifferent
and prepared for nothing on earth
less than for wedding charivarl.
Mallory should have done better
than to entrust his plans to fellows
like Hudson and Shaw, whom he had
known at West Point Tor diabolically
joyous .hazers and practical jokers.
Even as he sputtered rice and WINGED
from the impact OF flying footgear,
he was cursing himself as a double
dyed idiot for asking such men to EN-
gage his berth for him. He had 8
sudden instinct that they had doubt
less bedecked his trunk and Mar
tories with white satin furbelows and
ludicrouS labels. But he could not
shelter himself from the white sleet
and the black thumps. He could
hardly shelter Marjorie. who covered
behind him and shrieked even loud
err than the romping tormentors.
When the assaiIants had exhausted
the rice and shoes. they charged down
the aisle for the privilege OF kissing
the bride. Mallory was dragged and
hunted and shunted here and there.
and he had to fight his way back TO
Marjorie with might and main. lie
was tugging and striking like demon,
and yelling, Stop it! stop it,"
Hudson took his punishment with
uproarious good nature, laughing:
oh, shut ua, or we'll kiss you!'
But Shaw was scrubbing his Wry
lips with a seasick wall OF:
Wow! / think ] kissed the dog.
There was. of necessity. some pause
for breath, and the combatants draped
themselves Imply about the seats.
Mallory glared at the twin BENEDICT
Arnolds and demanded:
Are you two thugs going to San
Francisco with me-"
Don't worry" smiled Hudson,
we're only going as far as kedzie
avenue, just to start the honeymoon
properly
If either of the clippers had been
calmer, The solution OF the problem
would have been simple. Marjorie
could get off at this suburban station
and drive home from there. But their
wits were like pied type, and they
were further jumbled, when Shaw
broke in with sudden: Come, see
the little dove-cote We fixed Tor you.
Before they knew 1t. they were both
hailed along the aisle to the white
satin atrocity. Love in & bungalow,
said Hudson. "Sit down-make your
selves perfectly at home
"No-never-oh, oh, OH cried Mar
iorie, darling away and throwing
herself into the first empty Seat--lra
Lathrop's berth. Mallory followed to
console her with caresses and muir
murs OF, There's there don't cry,
dearie!"
: Hudson and Shaw followed close
with mawkish nockery: Don't cry,
dearie."
And. now Mrs. Temple interviewed.
She had enjoyed the initiation cere-
mony as we'll as anyone. But when
the little bride began TO cry. she re-
membered the pitirul terror and shy
shame she had undergone as a girl
wire, ana she UdSleueu W Mai Joi AZ D
side, brushing the mel away like
gnats.
: You poor thing" she comforted.
Come. my child. lean on me, and
have a good cry"
Hudson grinned. and put out his
own arms: She can lean on ME. II
she'd rather"
Mrs. Temple glanced up with indig-
nant rebuke: Her mother Is far
away, and she wants mothers breast
to weep on. Here's mine. my dear.
The impudent Shaw tapped his own
military chest: She can use mine.
Infatuated at this bride-baiting, Nal
lory rose and confronted the two
imps with clenched fists: You're a
pretty pair Of friends, you are!"
The imperturable Shaw put out a
pair of tickets as his only defense:
Here are your tickets, old boy o..
And Hudson roared jovially: I'VE
tried to get you stateroom, but 1t
was gone"
And here are your baggage checks"
laughed Shaw, forcing into his fists a
,a,u no Of ehoards I'VE got your trunks