Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-01-08
STOLEN
WEDDING
TRIP
By HOWARD C. WARREN

"HERE was ire In the electric
light station on Forty-sixth
street one evening last June
not very serious one, but Just
enough to throw the whole plant out
of gear. The company set to work
energetically and had everything in
full running order again by nine
o'clock This incident the ordinary
householder and pedestrian would
have regarded merely as a nuisance,
but, slngularly enough, 1t was but a
few minutes before the fire that the
discovery Of serious leak in the gas
main had necessitated cutting Off the
gas, thus plunging that section Of the
city into total darkness for nearly two
hours.
When the lights went out at Cart
wright & Taylor's garage. Mr.. Taylor
was in the act Of giving directions to
several Of his drivers. Two large
church weddings were scheduled for
the same hour and number Of cars
had been ordered from his establish
ment. Mr.. Taylor had already sent
the wants of the bridal parties.
Hurry up, boys, or you'll be late"
he cried. won't do to keep them
weddin's waitin'. Here, Mike, you go
to Judge De Soto's on Fifth avenue.
There is one groom, you know. And
you, Tom Baker, hustle round to 81
West Thirty-blankth street-that's the
other groom. And say, Tom, you're
to-"
Just then the office was thrown into
utter darkness. Several men at once
scurrled off after lanterns. Then he
continued: You're to drive them to
st. Basil's church, you know. And
you, Mike. you're to take Mr.. De Soto
to st. Jobs. Be lively, nowp
Tom Baker was kept waiting in
front of No. 81 some time. Henry
Gaines was making his wedding toilet
when the lights went out and his
progress was somewhat impeded by
the occurrence. Being q stranger in
town, he was uncertain how to meet
the emergency. His cousin, John, who
was to act as best man, had Jared no
better; and so by the time both were
ready to start, they realized they
were already due at the church.
Touch her up lively, driver" said
John as they leaped into the vehicle.
Were late. To the church |" st.
Jobs church is only couple Of blocks
below st. Basil's on the avenue and
neither of the men noticed that they
were being carried on to the latter.
st. Basil's had suffered, of course,
from the general calamity, and for
many minutes the ushers had been
scurrying about, lighting and sticking
candles in every available place. A
large audience was assembled. But
no groom had as yet appeared.
Here's George at last" said one of
the ushers, as two masculine forms
appeared family in the darkness out
side.
Henry flew along under the canopy
and into the vestry Of the church. An
usher waved candle and the organ
pealed forth opening strains of the
wedding march. Henry peered about
the dim vestry in a confused manner
as he Invested himself of his over
coat, but John seized him by the arm
and dragged him on.
Henry was too preoccupled to OBJ
serve the church, but some things
about the gathering In the chancel
puzzled him not a little. No matter.
He was only going to be married once
better attend to the ceremony.
"Wilt thou have this woman to be
thy welded wifeT" the clergyman was
saying.
"Walt a minute, Doctor Could"
shouted Henry, to the establishment Of
every one. "This is not Alice Foster,
| am sure. No, / will not have this
woman to be my welded wifel !"
you'd better not tryi" cried an ex-
cited voice from the rear Of the
church. And then every one burst out
laughing, for the voice was unmistak-
ably that of George De Soto, and his
friends realized all at once that the
man beside the bride was a stranger.
Explanations were necessarily brief.
De Soto and his friend had discovered
their mistake Immediately on enter
ing st. Jobs and had FASTENED at once
to St Basils
Henry and his cousin hurried down
the aisle amid a renewed ripple Of
laughter. In his confusion Henry seized
the overcoat De Soto had just left
in the vestry and flew out with 1t into
the street. The car that had brought
De Soto was standing where they had
left their own few moments before.
They jumped inside, calling out to the
driver: "St. Jobs church," and sank
back on the cushions, snickerlng.
Arrived at st. Jobs, the delayed
ceremony was completed without fur
Their mishap, and Henry and Alice
soon passed down the aisle together,
man and wife. They entered the car
in which Henry had come, and drove
away.
Now, Mike, the driver, was not the
quickest witted man In the world. On
the way to the church he had been
told by DE Soto that after the we'd
ding he was to drive him and his
bride to the Tweedy mansion.
Henry and Alice were so absorbed
in each other that they were only
slightly surprised to find so many
cars at the house before them.
Suddenly the situation dawned upon
him
Alice" he exclaimed, "thls isn't