Van Bibber as Best Man
Young Van Bibber arrives in New York City during a hot June day, where he finds the atmosphere dreary and empty. While waiting for a train, he decides to have lunch at a French restaurant. There, he overhears a young couple, Ted and a girl named Miss Cambridge, who are in a state of panic about eloping without proper arrangements. Ted expresses his frustration about not being able to find a clergyman to marry them, and Miss Cambridge worries about the consequences of their impulsive decision. Recognizing Ted as the younger brother of a friend, Van Bibber intervenes when he sees the elder Standish brother searching for them. He concocts a story to send Standish off to Chicago, allowing the couple to avoid immediate family confrontation. Van Bibber then takes charge of the situation, suggesting they have a proper wedding instead of a hasty, secretive one. He insists that they should make their marriage public to avoid scandal. Van Bibber rushes to arrange the wedding at a church, recruiting acquaintances to serve as witnesses, despite their lack of familiarity with the couple. He manages to gather a group of people who can lend their names to the event, ensuring it appears respectable. He also secures a venue on the Fall River boat for the couple's honeymoon. On the day of the wedding, Van Bibber acts as the best man, dressed in a casual yachting suit, while the bride and her companion are emotional yet excited. The ceremony proceeds with the presence of the gathered guests, and Van Bibber ensures that everything goes smoothly, even improvising with a bell and rice for the couple's send-off. After the wedding, Van Bibber reflects on the absurdity of the situation, particularly the elder Standish's frantic search for his brother and the couple's unconventional start to married life. He feels a mix of satisfaction and concern, realizing that his well-intentioned meddling may have unintended consequences for everyone involved. The story concludes with Van Bibber contemplating the nature of truth and deception in relationships, highlighting the complexities of love and societal expectations.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1904 · Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fiction, Social Commentary · 2,508 words
First lines
Young Van Bibber came up to town in June from Newport to see his lawyer about the preparation of some papers that needed his signature. He found the city very hot and close, and as dreary and as empty as a house that has been shut up for some time while its usual occupants are away in the country.
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Van Bibber as Best Man is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1904 CE.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romantic Comedy, Fiction, Social Commentary, Short Story, Adventure
- Length: 2,508 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Van Bibber as Best Man by Richard Harding Davis
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Romantic Comedy — The plot revolves around a humorous and light-hearted wedding scenario, focusing on romantic relationships and misunderstandings.
- Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction, presenting a story with invented characters and events.
- Social Commentary — The story reflects societal norms and expectations regarding marriage and social status during the time period.
- Short Story — The work is concise and structured as a short story, focusing on a single event.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Marriage · Friendship · Wedding · Comedy of Manners · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Short Story · Novella · Romance