Then Josiah spoke up loudly, in a kind o' sudden pet, "If this gal an' I's to marry, it is time the day was set; For that one-wheel feller's always 'round here courtin', on the fly, An' they say she rides out with him, in the night-time, on the sly. Father'll give us board an' victuals, you can give her land an' dower, Wherefore, if she wants to have me, please to set the day an' hour." Then the wheel scamp spoke up quiet, but as if the words he meant, "_I_ would like to wed your daughter, an' have come for your consent. She is very dear to me, sir, when we walk or when we ride, And, I think, is not unwilling to become my cherished bride. I can give her love and honor, and I ask of you no dower; Wherefore, please bestow your blessing; _we_ have set the day and hour." Then I might have told my daughter that _she_ now could have the floor, An' remarked that on this question there should be just one speech more; But I rendered my decision in a flame of righteous rage, An' I shouted, "You'd no business for to court or to engage! This 'ere gal has long been spoke for; an' you'll please to clamber on Your old hind-wheel of a buggy, an' forevermore be gone!" Then he picked up Belle quite sudden, an' made swiftly for the gate, An' I formed a move to stop 'em, but was most perplexin' late; He had fixed a small side-saddle on his everlastin' wheel, So that she could ride behind him (clingin' 'round him a good deal); An' straight down the Beebe turnpike, like a pair o' birds they flew Towards a preacher's who had married almost every one he knew. [Illustration: CHASING THE BICYCLE.] "Stop 'em! head 'em! chase 'em! catch 'em!" I commanded, very vexed; "They'll be hustlin' off our daughters on a streak o' lightnin', next!" An' we took Josiah's wagon, an' his old gray spavined mare, An' proceeded for to chase 'em, with no extra time to spare; An' Josiah whipped an' shouted, it was such a dismal pinch, An' kept just so far behind 'em, but we couldn't gain an inch! Down the turnpike road we rattled; an' some fellows loudly cried, "Go it, Baker, or you'll lose her! ten to one upon the bride!" An' I fumed an' yelled an' whistled, an' commanded them to halt, An' the fact we couldn't catch 'em wasn't Josiah Baker's fault; But he murmured, "I am makin' father's mare into a wreck, Just to see my gal a-huggin' round another feller's neck!" An' they rushed into that preacher's, maybe twenty rods ahead, An' before I reached the altar all their marriage-vows was said; An' I smashed in wildly, just as they was lettin' go o' han's, An' remarked, in tones of sternness, "I hereby forbid the banns!" While Josiah Baker junior close behind me meekly came, Sayin', "Were my father present, he would doubtless do the same!"