The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-25
What In a Name?
A Good Deal Sometimes
BY E. L. THOMPSON
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation. 1911.
By E. L. THOMPSON

had nothing leIt pul IN utistoti"eie
name
MY fathers fortune so far improved
In America that by the time l became
a young lady we were enabled to move
in the best society. One evening at
social gathering | met young Eng
lishman who seemed from the first to
take a desperate fancy to me. and
was equally pleased with him. Indeed
it was a case of love at first sight.
| didn't distinctly hear the young
mans name, but | understood 1t to be
Cummings. He had no sooner LETT me
than the hostess, who introduced him,
came to me and said:
THAT young man is immensely
wealthy. His grandfather made for
tune in fish, but his father has never
been in trade, and this one of the third
generation is DESTROYS of marrying into
an old British family. He cares moth
ing about money. 1t is the name he
wants. / noticed that he appeared
smitten with you, and If you like him
I'm sure it will be the chance of your
life. He has the money you have
the lineage"
| had given Mr. Cummings permis-
sion to call upon me, and he came the
very next evening. What was my sur
prise to hear him say, Good evening,
Miss Chumley; you are looking very
well tonight"
Miss Chumleyr' / exclaimed, knit
ting my brows.
Didn't hear your name Alright"
he asked, surprised.
Certainly not. 1t is Cholmondelay."
"Oh! Beg pardon. We always call
that name Chumley In England. Chol-
mondelay is very long you know"
When he had gone went to my ia
Their at once and asked If our name
was called Chumley in England He
admitted that it was. He had never
said anything about this pronunciation
to me since he feared that it might
lessen my reverence for the family
name.
Mr.. Cummings called often, and 1t
was evident that his intentions were
serious. lie seemed anxious to do
away with the impression he had
made In calling me Miss Chumley.
He had fine sonorous bass voice and
pronounced Cholmondelay beautifully,
rolling the syllables on his tongue IKE
rare old wine.
The first time l addressed him by
his own name, or his name as | he'd
heard it. l noticed that he started. |
asked him If | had made mistake,
whereupon he colored, stammered and
finally told me that / had pronounced
IL differently from the usual pronun-
citation, then turned the subject 50
quickly that ! had no opportunity to
pursue the subject further.
My admirer was suddenly called
back to England by the serious Illness
of his mother and was obliged to leave
his courtship unfinished or bring 1t to
an abrupt termination. shah not
forget-women never forget such
thjngs-how he announced his depar-
ture, how looked sadly down at the
carpet and how, sei-ing my hand, he
poured forth his tale of love. He did
not become 80 familiar as to call me
Beatrice. 1t was always Miss Chol-
mondelay, and every time he spoke it
seemed to hear one of the sweetest
of the lower tones of cello. After
/ telling me OF his love he went on
with his plan of forming through me
I that aristocratic association which his
wealth, supported " my lineage.
would give him. 81 shall owe every
thing to you" he said. Every door
I'm England viii fly open 10 the name
! Cholmondelay."
The beloved name was q fitting ell
max TO the offer. | threw myself into
I his arms. and we were betrothed.
He had been undecided about max
\ ing his proposal then or returning
across an ocean to do so; therefore
he had put 1t off till the last minute.
/ He was to sail at midnight and after
dozen kisses sprang away from me,
entered taxicab waiting for him at
the door and drove to the steamer.
The first letter l received from him
contained postscript. ~ spell my name
as you pronounce IT,"
| thought that very singular. for !
could think Of but one pronunciation.
However. | concluded it must be Co.
mynrs or something like that, for Eng
/ fish people are prone 10 spell the most
ordinary names in the most singular
way. hoped 1t wis Comyngs, for V
sounded very arlstocratic.
Nv lover returned three months
later to take me to England as his
bride. Our wedding cards were print
"a Cummings and Cholmondelay. |
asked about the spelling of his name.
but he put me off. We were married
and sailed away to begin a new life
at least for me. We were received by
relatives aud friends on the steps Of
my husbands palatial country seat,
and the first person who addressed me
by my married name said:
welcome, Mrs. Curmudgeon."
tainted.
As soon as l was alone with my hus-
bFnd began to reproaeh him with
having deceived me. He said that
when made the mistake OF calling
him Cummings. considering the store |
set upon a euphonious and aristocratic
uame. he simply could not set me right.
However. there is some solace in my
being able to have my cards printed
Mrs. Cholmopdelay Curmudgeon."
BIT they viii call we Mrs. Chumley