The Shasta courier., 1856-02-02
Getting Married.

During the last summer little incident
trnnspired in one Of the Eastern towns, which
afforded some amusement foriht spectators at the
time, and furnished food for considerable gossip
thereafter. 1t occurred in church ON one of
those quiet afternoons when the flies buzz laziIy
on the window panes, and the dog lies on the
hearth stone
The afternoon service had ended, and the con-
gresation were arranging themselves for the
benediction, when to the great astonishment
and the manifest interest of the worshippers,
the good parson descended from the desk below,
and said in calm clear voice:
Those wishing 10 be united in the holy
bonds of matrimony, will please come forward"
A deep stiffness instantly fell over the cor gre.
CATION, broken only by the rusiling of silk. as
some pretty girl or excited matron changed her
position, to get view of the couple To be mar
ried. No one, however, arose, or seemed in
the least inclined to arise.
Whcreupon the worthy clergyman, deemins
his first notice unheard or misunderstood, re-
peatcd his invitation:
"Let those wishing TO be united in the holy
bonds Of matrimony, now come forward
Still no one stirred. The silence became al
most audible, and painful sense of the awk-
wardness OF the position was gradually spread
ing among those present. when young gentle
man who had occupied vacant seat on IL p
broad aisle during The service, slowly arose, and
deliberately walked 10 the altar. lie was good
looking and well dressed, but no one knew him,
and no female accompanied him. When he ar
rivel within respectable distance from the cler-
gyman, he paused, and with reverend bow,
stepped 10 one side OF the aisle, but neither said
any thing or seemed at all disconcericd at the
idea OF being married alone.
The clergyman looked anxiously around for
the bride, who he supposed was yet 10 arrive,
and at last remarked to the young gentleman in
an under tone
The lady, sir is dilutory."
"Very, SIR"
Had we not better delay the ceremony 2"
81 think not. Do you suppose she will be
here soon?"
Me, sir, replied the astonished shepherd,
'how should know of your lady's movementsl
That is a matter belonging to yourself alone"
A few moments were suffered TO eapse in this
unpleasant state of expectancy. when the cler-
gyman renewed his interrogatories.
ent hour, sir 7"
"What lady?'
"Why the lady, to be sure, that you are wait
ing here for"
al did not hear any thing said about it, was
the unsatisfactory reply.
Then, sir, may ask why you are here, and
for what purpose you tri1e in the sanctuary of
the Most High!" said the somewhat enrased
clerical.
50 come, sir simply because you invited all
those wishing TO be united in the holy bonds of
matrimony to come forward, and happened to
entertain such wish. l am very sorry to have
misunderstood you, sir, and wish you very
good day"
The benedicion was uttered with a solemn,y
of tone very little in accordance with the twitclI
ing OF the facial nerves; and when, after the
church was closed, the story got wind among
the congregation, more than one girl regretted
that her wishes had not been as boldly expressed
as the young gentleman's who had really wished
to be "uniied in the holy bonds of matrimony. ("