curses to the porters, in approved railway style.

'Mine!--Philadelphia!' cried a stout, military-looking man, with
enormous whiskers and a red face, crowding forward, as the baggageman
laid his hand on the first bag.

'Won't you please to give me a check for this, now?' entreated a pale,
slender, carefully-dressed young man, for the ninth time, holding out
bag No. 2. 'I have a lady to look after.'

'Say! be you agoin' to give me a check for that 'are, or not?' growled
the proprietor of bag No. 3, a short, pockmarked fellow, in a shabby
overcoat.

'All right, gen'l'men. Here you are,' says the functionary, rapidly
distributing the three checks. 'Philadelfy, this? Yes,
sir,--1092--1740.11--1020. All right.'

'All aboard!' shouted the conductor.

'Whoo-whew!' responded the locomotive; and the train moved slowly out of
the station-house.

The baggageman meditatively watched it, as it sped away in the distance,
and then, as if a thought suddenly struck him, slapping his thigh, he
exclaimed,

'Blest if I don't believe--'

'What?' inquired the switchman.

'That I've gone and guv them three last fellers the wrong checks! The
cussed little black things was all alike, and they bothered me.'

'Telegraph,' suggested the switchman.

'Never you mind,' replied the baggageman. 'They was all going to
Philadelfy. They'll find it out when they get there.'

They did.

* * * * *

CHAPTER II.

The scene shifts to the Continental Hotel, Philadelphia.--Front parlor,
up stairs.--Occupants, the young gentleman alluded to in Chapter I., and
a young lady. In accordance with the fast usages of the times, the twain
had been made one in holy matrimony at 7.30 A.M.; duly kissed and
congratulated till 8.15; put aboard the express train at 8.45, and
deposited at the Continental, bag and baggage, by 12.58.

They were seated on the sofa, the black broadcloth coat-sleeve
encircling the slender waist of the gray traveling-dress, and the jetty
moustache in equally affectionate proximity to the glossy curls.

'Are you tired, dearest?'

'No, love, not much. But you are, arn't you?'

'No, darling.'

Kiss, and a pause.

'Don't it seem funny?' said the lady.

'What, love?'

'That we should be married.'

'Yes, darling.'

'Won't they be glad to see us at George's?'

'Of course they will.'

'I'm sure I shall enjoy it so much. Shall we get there to-night?'

'Yes, love, if--'

Rap-rap-rap, a