Squatter sovereign., 1856-06-17
THE cLEReyaANs FEE.
A.MATRIMoafAL STORY.

A young clergyman sat in his study
composing a sermon. & was a bright
spring morning. and in order to concentrate
his thoughts on the subjsctof his discourse
he was writing. Mr.. Izrlhn was obliged
| 10 close the window. hat, and shut out
the beanty-of nasnsas sfeseia;ns zsxasl
uost attractive. In an obscure light, his
pen was beginning to move quite rapidly,
when the wind blew bis blinds open and
sent his manuscript huttering across the
floor. The sunlight gushed in, and a. the
same time Mr.. Burton's ideas blew out.
He turned his chair and looked out of
the window. Beauty charmed his eye,
and the music Of singing birds fell on his
ear. Nature at that moment appeared
considerably more attractive than theology.
The green leaves Of the trees caused him
to forget the leaves of his manuscript.
The plumage Of the. birds made him dis
gusted with the grey goose quill. Yet
MIR. Burton felt that he ought to labor that
morning.
In casting about him to find an excuse
for his idleness, he saw a chaise drive
down the street. and stop at his own door.
a good looking, plainly dressed young
man helped cut graceful, pretty girl, and
they mounted the steps together. Mr..
Burton heard the door bell ring, and pres
emily domestic came TO inform him that
young gentleman and lady wished to see
| him on business.
"a marriage, / am sure,' thought the
Iclergyman, smiling
He was not mistaken. The young man.
in frank. of-handed manner, told him
that he had called for the purpose of being
married to his companion; and the young
girls bushes told the same story.
..Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Burton, '' am
always ready 10 make young people happy
| You love each other 2"
1--WE would wait a day or two il we
did not" replied the youth.
His companion blushed again.
/ :" Have you witnesses!" asked the cler-
gynan.
1--WE are not rich" answered the BRIDE
groom, '' and could not afford the expense
of bringing any of our friends with US.
IF YOU think we had better have witnesses
perhaps you will call in somebody"
1T will be we'll to do SO" said the cler-
syman, smiling.
He called in younger brother and the
housekeeper.
:. We are in a sort of q hurry" said the
bridegroom, as Mr.. b. paused in the door
way to give some orders to domestic. 81
have got to go to mill this afternoon, and
its long drive home.''
'.Stand up here then and viii despatch
you,' said the clergyman, with vain al
tempt at gravity.
You, George Chambers. promise to
take this woman to be your lawful wife e.
George nodded.
ITO love her in sickness and health, to
share with her joys and sorrows, your bed
and board-do you promise 2"
Another nod.
And you, Mary, promise to take thi:
man to be your husbands''
A nod and blush from Mary.
"To love him-honor hin2"
L Another nod.
And obey him"
A doubtful look from Mary.
In all things reasonable z :" asked ths
;, clergyman; and she nodded. :" And t
make him a true and afecticnate WIFE
viii you promises
a Mary gave decisive nod. Mr.. Bur
IF ton added few words, and pronounce
X them man aud wife. Mary wiped he
1t eyes and George drew long breatl
l. The clergyman then made out the certif
IS cate to which the Witnesses put their name.
ID and ended by giving them few words {
ID advice. At the same time George slippe
,e something into his hand, done up in piec
l. of white paper. Afterwards the bride an
Il bridegroom rode of IN cs.aise; the house
a keeper went to the kitchen, laughing. th
ID younger Burton returned TO his book, an
le the elergy yman TO his sermon.
is AS the latter sa. down to write, fhinkin
ae all the time OF the queer marriage eerem
re ny he had just performed, he listiessly Vi
d. folded the bi. of paper the bridegroom hs
placed in his hands. Perhaps the preac
: : er was curious to know how much the OF
- man had felt able to pay for his maria.
= certificate. From the size of the piec
DIr. Burton judged that his fee must
y something. |. was larger than hi
: ieagIe-larger even than an eagle. Cou
les Il be twenty dollar pieces The par
10. being folded aud re-folded. il was sol
d, time before the slergyaaan could gel