The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-19
Getting Married

hfiliHt NHffi'ut
During The last summer, liltlc inci-
dent lanspircd in one Of the Eastern
towns, which afforded some amusement
TO the spectators at the time, and inrn-
ishcd food for considerable gossip there
after. Ii occurred in church, on one of
those quiet afternoons, when all the
world seems just ready TO fall aslccpi
when the flies buzz lazily on the win
dow panes, and the dog lies quietly on
the door stone.
The afternoon service had ended, and
the congregation were arranging them
selves for the benodiciion, when, to the
great astonishment and manifest inter
est Of the wor,hippers, the parson de-
scended from the pulpit to the desk be-
low and said in calm, clear voice
Those who wish to be united IN lhe
holy bonds of mairimony viii now
please come forward
A deep silence instantly fell over the
congregation, broken only by the rust
ling Of silks, as some pretty little girl or
excited matrou 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,
Nleeming his first notice unhenrd or mis-
understood, repeated the invitation more
clearly:
Let those persons wishing to be
united in the holy bonds of matrimony,
now come forward"
Still no one stirred. The silence be-
came almost audible, and painful sense
of the awkwardness of the position, was
gradually spreading among those pres
ent, when a young gentleman, who had
occupied vacant slip in the broad aisle
during service, slowly arose, and delib-
crately walked to the foot Of the altar
lie was good looking and well dressed
but no one present knew him, and nc
female accompanied his travels. Wher
arrived within respectable distance o.
the clergyman, he paused, and with {
rcverent bow stepped to one side Of the
aisle, but neither said anything or seem
ed at all disconnected, at the idea of be
ing married alone.
The clergyman looked anxiousl,
around for the bride-who he supposed
was yet to arrive---at length he remark
ed to the young gentleman in an unde
tone:
"The lady, sir, is dilaiory."
avery, SIR"
"Ilad we not better defer the cere
mony 2"
Il think not. Do you not suppos
she will be here soonf"
4" Me, sir" said the astonished shep
herd, " how should know of your Ia
dy's movements! That is matter be
longing 10 YOURSELF
a lew HpultlllS ilOIe NtTt suffered
to elapse in this unpleasant state of cx
pectancy, when the clergyman renewe
his interrogatories.
Did the lady promise TO attend a
the present hour, sir?'
"What lady 7" asked the young mar
"Why, the lady, to be sure, that yo
are waiting here for."
81 did not hear her say anythin
about it.
"Then, sir, may l ask why you ar
here, and for what purpose you trihc i
the sanctuary of the Most High 2" sal
the angried clergyman.
" | came, sir, simply because you in
viled all wishing TO be united in malr
mony to step forward. and / happene
TO entertain such n wish | am vcr
sorry 10 have misunderstood you, sil
and wish you very good day"
The benediction was uttered with
solemnity Of tone very little in accord
ance with the twilching of the facia
nerves ; and when, after the church wa
closed, the story got wind among th
congregation, more than one little gil
regretted that her wishes had not bee
as boldly expressed as the young gen
tleman's, who had really wished to b
united in the holy bonds of matrimonv