Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-02-25
LudIcrous scene ia Church.
HIBERNICUs.

During the last SUNNI r q little incident transpir-
ed in one of the eastern towns, which afforded
some amusement to the spectators al the time, and
furnished food for considerable gossip thereafter
1t occurred in church, of those quiet Sun
day afternoons when all the world seems just ready
to drop to sleep when the flies buz lazly on the
window panes, and the dog lies lazly on the door
stone.
The afternoon service had ended and the congre-
cation arranging themselves for the benedc
ton, when, to the great establishment and man
iest interest of the worshippers, the good parson
descended from the pulpit to the desk below, and
said. in a calm, clear voice
"Those wishing 10 be united in the holy bonds
Of matrmony, will now please to come forward"
A deep silence instantly fell over the whole con-
gregation broken only by the rustling of silk, as
pretty little girl excited matron changed her
position to catch the first view of the couple to be
married No ore, however, arose or seemed in the
least inclined to rise Whereupon, the worthy cler
gyrlan, deeming his first notice unheard misun
derstood repeated the invitation:
Let those wishing to be united in the holy bonds
of matrimony come forward
st II no one stirred. The silence became almost
audible and o infnl sense of the awkwardness of
the position gradually spreading among those
present, when young gentleman, who had occu-
pied vacant slip in the broad aisle during service,
slowly and deliberately walked the front of
the altar. He was good looking and we'll dressed,
but present knew HIM, and no female accom-
panied his travels. When arrived within respec-
table distance of the clergyman he paused, and with
reverend bow stepped to one side of the aisle, but
neither said anything, seemed at all disconnected
| at the idea of being married alone.
! The clergyman look d anxiously around for the
bride, who he supposed yet to arrive at length
he remarked to the young gentleman, in an under
tone
The lady, sir, is dilatory."
very, sir.'
:: Had we not better defer the ceremony o.
:" think not. Do you suppose she will be here
soon o.
Me SIR" said the astonished shepherd. q how
should ] know o. your ladys movements? This is
rather matter belonging to yourself"
! A few moments more were suffered to elapse in
this unpleasant state of expectancy, when the cler
gyman renewed his interrogatores
| " Did the lady promise to attend at the present
hour. sir o.
"What lady 2" asked the young gentleman
''What lady! Why the lady, to be sure, that
you are now waiting for.n
Il did not hear her say anything about it - was
the response.
Then, sir, may ask why you are here and foI
what purpose you thus trifie with the sanctuary oil
the Most High 2" said the somewhat enraged cer
cal.
g came sir, simply because you invited all those
wishing to be united in the holy bonds of matrimo
ny to step forward, and happened to entertain such
a wish | am very sorry to have misunderstood
you, sir, and wish you good day"
| The bencdcton was uttered with solemnity Of
tone very little in accordance with the twitching Of
the facial nerves; and when. after the church was
closed, the story got wind among the congregation
more than one little girl regretted that her wishes
had not been as boldly expressed as the young gen
tlemans who had really wished to be " united in the
holy bonds of matrimOny"