Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-01
Married for a Joke.

A YOUNG lady correspondent, who takes
the nam de plume of " Rose Rover" relates
the following romantic incident, as having
occurred somewhere in Tennessee. Truth
is often stranger than fctons--
have been playing the part of brides
maid nearly ever since | wrote last, and
have, therefore, but little time left in which
to indite this epistIe. One ofthe marriages,
in which | ofiiciated in the capacity mention
cd, was quite a romantic affair; and as no
harm will be done, | will give you the par.
ticulars-suppressing names, however -
After the union Of the couple, to whose
marriage we were hidden, they had scarce
| ly sat down before another stood up and
desired to be Joined by the holy bond
The minister was much surprised, as he
expected to officate but once; but, feeling
| that it was not his business to inquire into
the why's and whereiores that he was not
preadyised, he asked for the necessary au-
thorty; and it then for the first time oc-
cured to the bridegroom, that license
was indispensable to the contamination of
his happiness. He exclaimed
"This shall not interfere"
And Immediately left the house, say
ing he would return in few moments.
"While he was absent, we learned that
few minutes before the union of the first
couple, this young gentleman, in a lively
conversation with several sprightiy mischief
loving girls, had told them he was about to
make proposition to test their courage,
Of which it seems, they had been rather
boastiuIly speaking, .-and this was nothing
more nor less than that he would challenge
either Of them to marry him as soon as the
expected ceremony was performed. Sever
al of them shrank from the ordeal but one
Of them more courageous than the rest, ac-
cepted the haIenge-thinking that he
would "back OUT before the ceremony was
finished.
Some Of the company told the young
lady during the gentemans absence, that
he would never yield, and that she had bet
ter do 50, unless she was seriously inclined
to have him for a lifcs partner. She repl-
ed that she was as determined as himself,
and was not to be "outdone;" and seemed
to think that it could be nothing more than
Joke. All arguments were in vain, so
when the young gentleman returned, and
presented the llcense-he having procured
/ il at the clerks Office, it being the country
seat where we were assembled-she gaily
| laughed, and again placed herself beside
him. in front Of the minister. The old
gentleman admonished them; but they told
/ 10, ha
menced. The bridegroom responded afir-
matiyely in gay tone, and as he did SO,
cast a lriuphaut glance upon her. When it
became her turn to answer, she hesitated
moment, but presently said laughingy-
"You shall not triumph, sr ~
And Immediately uttered the little word
that cannot be retracted, and which made
them one during the remainder of their lives !!
The beoediction was said, and the words
had hardly died away before the bride said,
Ill a haIfserious tone
"Why, / feel as if had been married in
earnestp
"You certainly are" solemnly said the
minister,
She doubted it at first, but was at length
convinced that she was really and de taCt0
Mrs -. For short time she wept
violently; but her new relative, who, by
TINS time, began to see his folly, seeing also
that the consequences of their hardlhood
was irremedable, determined to make the
best Of il, aud therefore used all his powers
to console her, i'll which he at length sue
cceded,
They had never met before that evening
and they little dleamed that at their FIRST
meeting they were to utter vows that were
'reyocabIe, and which were to unite them
to each other. Both of them belong to
families Of the highest responsibility, and
are both wealthy. They seem well suited
to each other, and who shall say that their
union, so strangely brought about, may not
be repIete with happiness for each? They
now appear to be reconciIed to their destiny
and |, for one believe that it will be bright
one.-ArthUr'S Home Gazette.