PUNCTUALITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5760, 2 January 1897, Page 4

PUNCTUALITY.

The train had been detained here and there until it was two hours late iv reaching Richmond Junction, and when it was discovered there that wo must wait another thirty minutes for the east-bound express a young man who had been moving about uneasily and getting more and more nervous appealed to the conductor with — " Have you any idea when we> shall reach Buffalo, sir ?" " Not much, but I hope to make it by ten o'clock this evening." " Great Scott ! Not until ten o'clock,'* gasped the young man. " It may be half an hour earlier, but I don't count on it. Anything to hurry you ?" " I should remark ! I was to be married at seven o'clock ! " " And it's after seven now ! Well, I can't help it. You might telegraph that the traia is delayed." " I'll have to, but what a mess ! Tho guests will be assembled, the girl iv hysterics, and her father on his high horse! I wouldn't have had this happen for a, thousand dollars ! " "No ? Well, run in and telegraph." The young man entered the office and sent a despatch, and just as we were pulling out ho received the answer. Several of us had overheard the talk and knew what he was expecting. He read the message twice over and then laid it down on the floor, and aranged his overcoat for a pillow and apparently went asleep. Pretty soon the conductor came along and picked up the despatch and read it. It was signed " Annie," and it read :— " Waited ten minutes for you and then married Fred Davis." " That's hard lives !" said the conductor, as he handed the despatch about, but the young man snored in his sleep and smiled as he snored.