Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-09-17
LIFE AT THE FIVE PoNTS
the Two-PENNY MARRlAoE.
(Continusd,)

took them and prayed over thom, that In parting
with the last penny,,his couple might have part
ed with vice, wicked, foolish practice which
had reduced them 10 such q degree Of poverty
and wretchedness, that the monster power o
rum could hardly send its victims lower.
So Tom and Mag were transformed into Mr.
and Mrs. Elting, and having grown somewha
more sober whlo iu the house, seemed 10 fulll
understand their new position, and all the obi
cations they had taken upon themselves.
For few days thought occasionally Of thi
two.penny marriage, and then Il became absorb
ed with thousand other scenes OF wretohed
ness which have witnessed since have live,
in this centre Of city misery. Time were Of
and married many other ooupes--orten tkoS
who came in their carriage and left q COLDER
marriage ree--a delicate way Of giving TO III,
neely-but among all had never performed
the rite for a couple quite so low as that Of thi
two.penny fec, and [ resolved never woul,
again, At length, however, l had call for
! full match TO them, which refused.
"Why do you come TO me 10 be married, m,
friend" said l to the man, You are both to
poor to 1.-Two seperate, and besides you are bot
terrible drunkards, know you are"
"That is just what we want TO get marrie
for, and take the pledge"
take that first"
mo, we must take all together, nothing els
will save us"
"Wil that ?"
ut did one Of my friends"
"Well, then, go and bring that friend here
let me see and hear how much il saved him, an
then will make up my mind what to do; If
Gun do you any good want 10 do IT,"
"My friend is at work--he has got goo
job and several hands working for him and
making money, and won't quit till night. ShO
| come this EVENING""
"Ycs, will stay at home and wait for you.
little expected TO see him again, but about
o'clock the servant said that man and his cir
with gentleman and lady, were waiting in III
reception room. told him to ask the lady an
gentleman to walk up TO the pOror and sit mC
meht, while sent the candidates for marriaV
away, being determined never TO unite anothc
drunken coHple, not dreaming that there was an
sympathy between the parties. But they woul
not como upi they wanted TO see that ooupl
married. So went down and found the squa
idly wretched pair in company with well dresi
ed laboring man, for he wore u black cont, sill
vest, gold watch chain, clean white shirt an
eravat, polished calr.skin boots; aud his wit
was just as neat and tidily dressedas anybody
wife, and her face 6eamed with intelligence, an
the way in which she chung TO the arm of he
husband, as she seemed 10 shrink from my SIGH
told that she was loving as well as pretty wifi,
This couple" says the gentleman, ebay
some TO be married"
ayes, know it, but have refused Loo
. at them; do they look like fit subjects for such
holy ordinanoep God never Intended thos
whom he created in his own image should liy
in mOtrimony like this man and woman, col
not marry them"
"COnnotl Why mott You married us whc
we were worse Oii.--more dirty...worse clothe,
and more intoxicated"
The woman shrunk back little more out ,
sight saw she trembled violently, and held
clean cambria handkerchief up TO her ewes,
What could Il meanp Married these wv
personsp Who were theyp
: "Have you forgotten US Y" said the womat
taking my hands in hers, and dropping on h,
knees, shave you forgotten drunken Tom mr.
MNgS We have not forgotten you, but pru
for you every dayp"
III you have forgotten them, YOU have n,
forgotten the two-penny marriage, No wond,
you did not know us, told Matilda she nee
! not 10 afraid or ashamed IL YOU did know he
But knew you would not. How could Won
We were in rags and dirt then, Look At ,
now. All your work, Sir. All the blessing
= that pledge aud that marriage, and that good a,
= vice you gave us. Look at this suit of olothe
and her dress-all Matilda's work, every stite
Of il. Come and look at our house, as neat
she is. Everything in il to make q comrortab
!, homes and oh, Sir, there Is cradle in our be,
room. Five hundred dollars already in BAN
and shall add as much more next week whC
IN kntsh ,,,, oh c. ,n,.k o.. - w.