M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1856-06-19
George nodded.

10 love her IN sickness and in health,
to share with her joys and sorows, your bed
and board-do you promise?"
Another nod.
Sand you, Mary, taAe this man to be
your husband?"
a nod and blush from Mary.
"To love him-honor him?"
Another nod.
sand obey him"
A doubtful look from Mary.
"ln all things reasonabe7" asked the cler-
gyman and she nodded. "And to make
him tue and affectionate wiie-will YOU
promise?"
Mary gave decisive nod, Mr.. Burton
added few words, pronounced them man
and wife. Mary wiped her eyes, and George
drew long breath. The clergyman then
made out the certificate, to which the wit
nesses put their names, and ending by giving
them few words ofadvice. AT the same
time George slipped something into his hand
done up in piece Of white paper. After.
wards the bride and bridegroom rode off in a
Chaise; the housekeeper went to the kitch-
en- laughing, the younger Burton returned to
his book,an the clergyman to his sermon.
AS the latter sat down 10 write, thinking
all the time OF the queer marriage ceremony
which he had just performed, he listiessly un-
folded the bit of paper the bridegroom had
placed in his hand. Perhaps the preacher
was curious to know how much the odd man
had felt able to pay for his marriage certifi.
cate. From the size of the piece, Mr.. Bur.
ton judged that his fee must be something. :
il was larger than half eagle--larger even
than an eagle. Could it be twenty dollar
piece?
The paper being folded and refolded. il
was sometime before the clergyman could
get at the coin. His curiosity by this time
was considerably excited. At length he saw
something very bright. The sun shone on
it. 1t was new red-centl Mr.. Burton
was a little disappointed, but laughing at the
ludicrous mistake, he locked the cent up in
his desk, and devoted himself TO his sermon
during the remainder of the forenoon.
Six years had passed away. Tie sue.
cessful clergyman was one evening surprised
by visit hom stranger, A well.dressed,
fne-looking man lifted his hat, bowed re.
spectlully, and offered Mr.. Burton his hand.
"Your memory is better than mine, if we
have ever met BEFORE" said the clergyman.
"My name is George Chambers"
Mr.. Burton had forgotten that he had ey.
er known such an individual.
81 think can refresh your memory by
mentioning an incident" said George. DO
you remember marrying couple, six years
ago, and receiving for your trouble the fee of
one centg
Mr.. Burton laughed, went to his desk,
and took from small drawer little roll of
paper. Unfoded this he produced the cop.
per in question.
ayes; remember all about it now"
"Well. sir, | am the man."
81 remember your countenance."
"You undoubtedly supposed intended to
insult you"
"No--l thought You were poor"
$50 | was. did not know that could
afford TO give you any more. Marriage you
know is sort ofn lottery, Had given
you five or ten dollars, and got poor wife
in return, you must confess it would have
been miserable bargain. Well, sir, the
wife you gave me is a prize. 1t has
taken me six years to find out all her virtues,
and now / have come to max you a suitable
acknowledgment"
He placed purse in the astonished min
ister's hands, who hesitaed to accept it,
"You need not scruple to take it; thanks
to my wife, | am now tolerably rich
man."
The old bridegroom took his departure. -
Mr.. Burton examined the contents of the
purse with lively curiosity; and he was not a
little surprised and'gro titled to find that they
consisted of ten halfeagies, bright, shining
fresh from the mint.
And that was the last the clergyman ever
heard of the odd-bridegroom.