Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-02-09
an Original Sksttb
JUDGE G.'S FIRST WEDDING.
A TRUE STORY.
WRITTEN TOR THE INDIANA AMERICAN,
BY ZONE ON THE SPOT"

the domestic institution" is prolif-
ic, and the corn-crops, especially, are
often wonderful. All that is necessary
is Just to stick the seed in the ground,
and the abundant harvest is certain
To those who are acquainted with the
locality and resources Of the State
these things have ceased to be wonder,
and the sudden developments and
strange sequels Of local circumstances,
are considered as the common order of
nature, oriat least accounted for on the
principle that "what is to be tciH be,
and can't be helped. But to my sto-
ry.
Some ten or twelve years ago, by
an unexpected freak of political for
tune, Judge c., "a graduate Of Oxford,
and scholar Of no mean abilities,
was by vote Of the LEGISLATURE made
and illegally constituted" one of the
circuit Judges Of the rising common
wealth, The Judge, like Zaccheus.
was small Of stature, well put together,
and was remarkably quick in thought
as we'll as in action. No one who
knew him doubted his qualifications
for the station. and the Judge felt
himself equal to any emergency Of the
Office.
A new Judge in any State is apt to
be an object Of general observation
and not unfrequently Of rude and un-
generous remark and criticism. But
Judge G. was not to be abashed in the
ordinary routine Of legal duties. and
he started upon his circuit with high
health and spirits, everywhere meeting
public expectation.
In the round Of his courts he came
to the city Of L., where. after receiving
the congratulations Of the legal priest
hood. he opened the Judicial session
for the dispatch OF the cases in litiga-
ton in that county. The day passed
away pleasantly, and just as the eve
ming shades drew near, his honor was
called on by a respectable looking gen.
tleman" TO ofliciate. in his behalf, in
the more agreeable court Of matrimo-
ny, at Q o'clock that evening.
The application. though referring to
prerogative Of his Office, never even
rea med Of by the Judge, was receiv-
ed by him in his usual polite manner,
and the promise was given that he
would be forthcoming and on hand at
"the blssful hour"
Left to himself, Judge G. began to
feel the delicacy of his position. The
duty was new one-with the etiquette
and formula of the matrimonial service
he was but little acquainted and for
the FIRST time in his legal history the
Judge felt himself fairly cornered.-
But friend learning his embarrass.
ment, suggested and obtained for him
a Methodist Discipline which contained
an excellent matrimonial ceremony,
and suitable for the occasion.
At the appointed hour. with that
peculiar grace and confident dignity sc
Justly characteristic Of the Judge. he
reported himself ut the appointed place
where he found n crowded room u
living Hoosiers anxiously awaiting the
''fun Of the ceremony" and the 'good
things" of the occasion.
His arrival produced an evident sen
sation among the spectators, and in @
few moments the "blushing BRIDE
and glowing groom" stood before him
The Judge, with book in hand
fronting the afiianced pair-with q
modest blush playing over his coun'
tenance, passed through with his ofiic
ial duty with grace Of utterance and
dignity Of manner that would have
done honor to the Reverend "Manches
ter Bard" himself.
The ceremony over, and usual sal
utations and kind wishes made, III,
Judge began TO recover from the en-
barrassment Of the occasion and tC
exhibit his wonted flow Of spirits ant
racy humor. In due turn he approach
ed and greeted the bride and groom
and with hearty good will he wishet
them many pleasant year. "But,
said the Judge, addressing himself t
the "happy gentleman" who was ex
pected to reap the chief advantages o
the occasion, Gas this is my first per
formance in the matrimonial line.
must claim that you name your frs
son O. c."
Certainly, certainly, Judge; W,
we will esteem II an honor to do so;
we are ever favored with such a gift o
Heaven, your name shall be remem
bered."
The Judge seemed Aattered with tn
promise-the bride blushed, and thos
Of the company who heard the colo
guy were "carried away" with tn
modesty Of the Judge, and the ros,
cheeks Of the "fair and lovely being
before them.
Supper over, the company retired
and in an hour after the stiffness Of tn
, starry midnight reigned throughou
. the Hoosier city.
5 Early the next morning a sma'
{ group Of "moral invincibles" wer
a seen standing before Smiths Groce
: ry," Immediately opposite the Hott
n where Judge G. boarded; and eac
b one appeared to be perfectly cognizar
s Of "the news of the morning" Wit
n their risibilities stretched to thei
: migties. tension, and bending over
|, nearly doubling the outer man-the
: could scarcely restrain themselves
!. Passers by thought them fools. N
r one could divine the secret Of comica
e ity which ever and anon broke out
d such ungovernable peals of whole
J. souled laughter.
) Finally. one of the crowd coul
= hold in no longer. An explosion wa