Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-10-21


became absorbed with thousand other
scenes Of wretchedness which l have
witnessed since have lived in this GEN.
ter of city misery. Time wore on and
l married many other couples-often
those who came in their carriage and left
golden marriage fee--a delicate way
of giving to tho needy-but among all
had never performed the rite for cou-
pie quite so low as that Of this two-pen-
ny fee, and resolved never would
again. At length, however, l had a
call for full match to them, which ! re-
fused.
why do you come to me to be mar
ried my friend" said to the man! You
are too poor to live separate, and,beside
you are both terrible drunkards, know
you are
THAT is just what we want to get
married for and take the PLEDGE
Take that first"
Move must take all together, nothing
else will save u.s.
will thatp
'lt did one Of my friends
well, then, 60 and bring that friend
here; let me see and hear how much it
saved him, and then will make up my
mind what to do; if can do you any
good want 10 do it,
MY friend is at work-he has got Job
and several hands working for him and is
making money and won't quit till night.
Shall come this evening!
Yes, will stay at home and wait for
you
little expected to see them again, but
about O'Clock the servant said that a
man and his girl, with a gentleman and
lady were waiting in the reception room.
told him to ask the lady and gentleman
to walk up to the parlor and sit mo-
ment, while sent the candidates for
marriage away, being determined never
to unite another drunken couple, not
dreaming that there was any sympathy
between the parties. But they would
couple married. So went down and
found the squalidly wretched pair in
company with we'll dressed laboring
man; for he wore a fine black coat, silk
vest, gold watch chain, clean white shirt
and cravat, polished calf skin boots land
his wife was just as tidily dressed as any
body's wife, and hor face beamed with
intelligence, and the way in which sire
clung to the arm Of her husband, as she
seemed to shrink from my sight, told
that she was a loving as well as a pretty
wife.
This couple, says the gentlemen, has
come to b. married.
Yes, know il, but I have refused.
Look at them; do they look like fit SUBJ
jects for such holy ordinancei God
never intended those whom he had cre-
ated in his own image should live in mat
rimony like this man and woman. I
cannot marry them
Cannot. why not! You married us
when we were worse oil--more dirty
worse clothing and more intoxicatcd.'
The woman shrunk back little more
out Of sight. saw she trembled vio-
iently, and put her clean cambria hand
kerchiel up to her eyes. What could il
mean! Married them when worse off,
Who are they!
Have you forgotten us said the wo-
man, taking my hand in hers, and drop
ping on her knees; have you forgotten
drum ken Tom and Mag. We have new
or forgotten you, but pray ioryou every
day."
III you have forgotten them, you have
not forgotten the two-penny marriage.
No wonder you did not know US, told
Matilda she need not be afraid, or asha-
med, ifyou did know her. But knew
you would not. How could you! We
were ia rags and diIt then. Look atus
now, all your work, Sir. All the bless
ings Of that pledge and that marriage,
aud that good advice you gave us. Look
at this suit OF clothes and her dress--all
Matilda's work, every stitch of il. Come
and look at our house, as neat as she is.
Everything in il make comfortable
home, and oh, Sir, there is cradle in
our bedroom. Five hundred dollars al
ready in bank, and shall add as much
more next week when finish my Job
So much for one year of u sober life and
u faithful honest good wife. Now, this
is as good workman us | am, only he
is bound down with the CALLING fetters
VI ufuuhtHutoSf uuu uNiuB Win tuis
woman just as did Now, he thinks
he must take the pledge of the same
man, and have his first effort sanctfed
with the same blessing, and then with
good resolution, and Matilda and me to
watch over them, do believe they will
succeed"
So they did. SO may others by the
same means. | married them, aud as |
shook hands with Mr.. Elting, he left tw
coins in my hand, with the simple
remark that there was another two
penny marriage fee. Twas in hope that
It might have been couple Of dollars
this time, but | said nothing,and wo par
ted with mutual God bless you. When
| went up stairs, tossed the coins into
my wiio's lap, with the remark, two pen,
nies again my dear
Two penniesl Why, husband, they
are eagles--real golden eagles What
u deal OF good they will do. What blcs-
sings have followed that act.'
And will follow the present, II th,
pledge Is faithfully kept. Truly, this Il
a good result OF u Two-Pcnny Marriage
N. Y. Tribune.