"What of his bad luck, Kitty?"
"He fell asleep on the day of his anniversary, was kidnapped, gagged and locked up in his garret. On payment of a neat little sum his wife was informed where he was, just in time for the ceremony."
"Anything may befall me, Kitty, just so we stand before the preacher again to-morrow night."
Thus spoke Regnan and Kitty, his wife, the night before their twenty-fifth anniversary.
Kitty arose early the next morning, fed Posey, the mare, chatted with a neighbor, and returned to find Regnan still snoring.
"Regnan," cried she, "will you remember Nordad, the tinker?"
"Kitty," rejoined Regnan, "will you always remember to bring bad news?"
"Out with you, Regnan."
"Be lovely to-day, Kitty."