The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-07-13
SELECTED STORY.
GETTING MARRIED.

The New Orleans Plcayune relates a
little incident which transpired in one oI
the Eastern towns last summer. ltoccur.
red in church, on one of those quiet af.
tenoons when all the world seems ready
to drop asleep-when the flies buzz laziIy
on the window panes, and the dog lies on
the door stone. The afternoon service
had ended, and the congregation were
arranging themselves for the benediction
when, to the great astonishment and the
manifest interest Of the worshippers, the
good parson descended from the pulpit to
the desk below, and said, in calm, clear
voice-"Thosc Wishing to be united in the
holy bonds of matimony, will now please
to come forward
A deep stiffness instantly fell over the
congregation, broken only by the rustling
of silk, as some pretty girl or excited mat
ron changed her position. to catch the first
view of the couple to be marred. No one,
however, arose, or seemed in the least in.
clined to arise. Whereupon the worthy
clergyman, deeming his first notice un-
heard or misunderstood, repeated the in
vtation -
Let those wishing to be united in the
holy bonds Of matrimony, now come for
ward.
Sull no one stirred. The silence be-
came almost audible, and painful sense
of the awkwardnesS Of the position was
gradually spreading among those present,
when young gentleman who had occu-
pied vacant seat in the broad aisle du-
ring the service, slowly arose, and delib.
erately walked to the foot of the altar
He was good-looking and well-dreSsed,
but no one knew him, and no female &C
companied his travels. When he arrived
within a respectable distance Of the cler
gyman, he paused, and, with reverent
bow, stepped to one side Of the aisle but
neither said anything, nor seemed at all
disconnected at the idea of being married
alone. The clergyman looked anxiously
around for the bride, who he supposed,
was yet to arrive and at length remarked
to the young gentleman in an under tone
"The lady, sir, is dilatory."
every, sir.
"Had we not better defer the ceremo-
ny?'
"I think not. Do you suppose she will
be here soon ?"
"Me, sir said the astoniShed shep
herd chow should know of your lady S
movements? This is matter belonging
to yourself?"
A few moments more were suffered to
elapse in this unpleasant state of eXpcc-
fancy, when the clergyman renewed his
intcrrogatorles.
Did the lady promise to attend at the
present hour, sir?"
"W hat lady? %
"Why the lady, to be sure, that you
are waiting here for
al did not hear her say anything about
it," was the unsatisfactory response.
"Then, sir, may l ask why you are
here, and for what purpose you trife with
me in this manner said the somewhat
enraSed clerlcal.
al come, sir, simply because you invi-
ted all those wishing to be united iE the
holy bonds of matrimony TO step forward
and happened to entertain such wish !
| am very sorry to have misunderstood
you, sir, and wish you very good day
The benediction was uttered with So
lemnity 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 congrega
ton, more than one girl regretted that her
wishes had not been SO boldly expressed
as the young gentleman s. who had really
wished to be "united in the hol! bonds Of
matrimony."