The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-09-14
HlGrrllulltntlg.
Getting Married.

During the last Summer little Incl
dent occurred I'm one of the Eastern towns.
which afforded some amusement to the
spectators at tie time, and furnished food
for considerable gossip thereafter. II oc-
CURED in church, or one of those quiet
Sunday attarnoons, when all the world
seems ready to drop asleep-when the
flies buzz IaziIy on the window panes, and
the dog lies on the door-stone.
The afternoon service had ended. and
the congregation were arranging them
selves for the benediction, when, to the
great astonshment and manifest interest
oftbe worshippers, the good parson de-
scended from the pulpit to tie desk below
and said i'll calm, clear voice:
Those wishing to be united in the ho-
Iy bands OF matrimony, will now please
come forward"
a deep stiffness instantly fell over the
congregation, broken only by the rustlinc
OF silk, as'some pretty little girl or excited
matron changed her position, to catch the
first view Of the couple to be married.
No one, however, arose, or seemed in the
least inclined to arise. Whereupon, the
worthy clergyman, deeming his first no.
tice unheaid or misunderstood, repeated
the invitation:
Let those wishing to be united in the
holy bands of matrimony now come for
ward"
Still no one stirred. The silence be-
came almost audible, and painful sense
OF the awkwardness Of the position was
gradually spreading among those present
when young gentleman, who had occu-
pied vacant seat in the broad aisle dur
ing the service, slowly arose. and delil er-
ateIy walked to the foot of the alter. He
was good looking and well dressed, bu,
no one present knew him, and no female
| =ss,.ss.s !. :; re..ie1 his travels. When arrived
within respectable distance of the Clergy
man, he paused, and with a reverent bow
stepped TO one side ofthe aisle, but neitbe,
sal anything or seemed at all disconcer,
TED at the idea of being married alone
lhe clergyman looked anxiousIy around
tor the bride, who he supposed, was vet
to arrive, and at length remarked to the
young gentleman in an under tone:
The lady, sir, is dilatory."
"Vcry, SIR
"l1ad We not better defer the ceremo
ny"
Il think not. Do you suppose she well
be here Soonl"
Me! SIR" said the astonised divine.
"how should | know Of your lady's move
ment! That is a matter belonging to
yourself"
A very few moments more were suffer
ed TO elapse in this unpleasant state of
expectancy, when the clergyman renewed
his imterrogatores
Did the lady promise to attend at the
present hour, sir p
What lady~
"Why, the lady, to be sure, that YOU
c waiting here for"
81 did not hear her say anything about
1t" was the satisfactory response.
"Then, sir, may ask why yod are
here, and for what purpose you trifle in
the sanctuary Of the most Highl" said
the somewhat enragcd clerical.
81 came, sir, simply because you inv.
ted all those wishing to be united in the
holy bonds of matrimony to step forward
and | happened to entertain such a wish
| am very sorry to have misunderstood
yon. sir, and wish you very good day."
When, after the church was closed, the
story got wind among the congregation
more than one young lady regretted that
her wishes had not been as boldly express
ed as the young gentlsman's who had
really wished TO be "united in the holy
bands Of matrimony."-N o. Pieayune.