Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-25

| The passion for matrimony is getting to be
an epidemic; every newspaper you pick up
contains long list of names who have been
struck down with the fatal malady. Our own
city has been peculiarly favored; not only are
sporadic" cases recorded every day, but pa
tents from distance invade the city and
help to swell up the bills. Now, as we don't
happen to be q Benedict, and our attempts
heretofore have met with SO little success, we
feel not only some degree of alarm at finding
onr friends falling around US, but also deep
sympathy for those from abroad, who touch our
shores and shortly afterwards lose their single
existence. The latest case happened night
before last, and was attended with such conse
| quences that we think it deserves more than q
passing notice.
| A couple, on the evening alluded to, arrived
on the Alton packet and took up their quar-
i tiers at the Monroe House. They were neither
positively young or absolutely old, but of that
peculiar age when the fires of youth are sup
posed to be modified by the discretion of ma
turer years.
The bridegroom was jolly fellow, full OF
| hope, and, as he expressed it, !" in devil Of a
hurry" AS soon as his name was registered,
he told the proprietor of the house his object,
| and that it was all important that he should be
married Immediately. Accordingly, the wor-
| thy host summoned several attendants, and
sent them in pursuit of that important func-
tionary in such matters, q justice Of the peace.
Away the messengers sped, some up one street
| and some down another, knocking at every
| Justices office they came across, the inmates
| Of which all happened to be out. In the mean.
| time the inpatient bridegroom was pacing the
floor like Gagged tiger, and swearing he would
| leave the house if some one capable of per-
L fba n MI H.,a
minutes. He had actually thought it was con-
spiracy on the part of the host to destroy his
promised Joy and dash the cup of connu-
bal felicity from his lips. AT this stage of the
proceedings, several gentlemen who understood
the matter offered their assistance to secure a
parson or justice in short time; with this as
surance on their part, he became more com
posed, and resolved to wait, although he felt
that delays were dangerous" Off they went
in different directions, and in about half an
hour minister and justice of the peace were
in waiting to do the job. The latter, however,
being little ahead, was given the preference.
The candidates for matrimony were in the
parlor sitting side by side as lovingly as two
turtle doves, and looking into each others
eyes, and squeezing each others hands, as only
lovers about to embark upon the sea of matri-
mony, can look or squeeze. The justice, who
was no other than our old friend Peter w.
tombstone, esq, in slow andmeasured sentences,
proceeded to perform the rite As soon as the
ceremony was concluded, the new and excited
husband gave his FLUSHING" bridesuch "buss'
as If he had thrown the whole energies of his
nature, by violent effort, into his mouth, and,
turning around to the company who were as
sembled, exclaimed, soto vOce-
How are you all, fellers? Tn just as hap
py as a mud cat with BUTLER minner in his
gills."
While the justice was preparing the mar
rage certificate, he danced about the room
like frantic man, and after hugging one or
two of the walters, returned to his bride, whom
he embraced with so much fervor that fears
were entertained for her personal safety. She
was stout lady, however, and stood up under
the shock with as much firmness as if she
"were made of oak.
The marriage certificate was made out and
handed to him by the squire, when he wanted
to know the price, but before the former could
answer, the newly made husband volunteered
his opinion by guessing it was about sixty
cents under the statute in such cases made and
provided, as that was the common price in the
parts he came from"
The justice informed him that the laws Of
this State were little more generous, and al
were married in the Office, but when he went
out, it was customary to have little extra.
"Whew," exclaimed the bridegroom, "two
dollars and hal f and little extra"
And he proceeded to read the certificate over
again, after which he handed it to his bride,
and she read it and handed it back again.
There was pause of few moments, and
everybody looked at each other, when, SEEM
ingly by a violent effort he said:
Well, if MUST, must, but I'll be id if
that corn cake amt leetle too much leav-
ened," and jerking from his vest pocket five
dollar piece, thrust it into the squire's hand,
jumped up and roared out, "Good night,
| fellers"
The small company who were in attendance,
commenced Immediately to leave, and while
they were proceeding along the passage, he
stuck his head out Of the parlor door and called
TO one Of them, with whom he had partial
acquaintance:
Isay, Jim, tell the landlord to send up to-
morrow morning for my clothes, I amt got no
more use for them."-Mo. Republican
TELEGRAPHs OF THE WoRID.-The 6rst