Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-09-28
II "A, SEPTEMBER 80, 1859.

IN court, both OF which caused him to de-
mur at the peaceful finale.
But the widow had made up her mind,
and the only thing that he could get her
to consent to was, that he should file
statement Of facts, which, together with the
defence, was to be submitted to the village
justice, and they were to abide by his de-
cision.
Judge Marrowbene was an honest man,
and With the exception Of being partially
blind and very deaf, he was well suited to
the Office. as it IS now-a-days.
sSqnimps' lawyer got his fee, and had
sent the documents to thaJ sdge, fssto Re.
ceived them from the office-boy in connec-
ton with "a blank marriage certificate to
be filled up and used that afternoon for an
other party.
Bulge and the widow were there dress
ed in their best to get his decision in the
matter, and abide thereby.
Bulge was not so distant as he had for
meriy been toward her, but actually squeez-
ed her hand when he saluted her.
Marrowbone drew the papers before
him, and after wiping his glasses, took up
his pen to write.
"What is your name, sirF' he asked B.
Summer Bulge"
"Speak louder, sir, am deaf"
"Bummer Budget roared the man.
"Buneper Bulge" repeated the Judge,
writing.
"What is your age?"
"Fifty p
"Do you reside in Squabblehum, sirl"
eyes, sir! What has that to do with
| it ?" said Bulge to himself.
''Were you ever married?"
"Never" :" shouted Bulge, casting a ner-
vous glance upon the widow, who sat look
ing very demurely, in the corner.
"And what is the lady's name!"
"Dolly Sq,imps Widow Squimps,"
said Bulge, acting as Spokesman.
"And your husbands name was"
"Marcus Squimps, poor soull' said the
widow.
"Marcus!" shouted Bulge allow deu
ced particular he is, he added, to the widow
ayes, sir" said she, with much tender
ness.
eyes; knew him." added the Judge
and few other half-connectcd sentences
about an old debt escaped him F; and he or
dered them to join right hands, and stanC
up before him.
, They obeyed; for neither of them knew
much of law, and consequently but little @
its forms.
"Bumper Bulge, do you take this wo
man to be your lawful wife?"
: "What the deuce does this meana' ex
, claimed Bulge, in surprise. IL though
we were to have our dispute settled!"
"Yes," chimed in the Judge, "never tc
dispute, but love, cherish, and protect her! 7
"Hold on, judge!" shouted Bulge, while
the widow looked the picture of one taker
aback. But the judge didn't hear word
. or only something that sounded like, "G
along"
. "No hurry, sir; I am going on. Do you
Mrs. Dolly Sqlimps, take this man to b
your lawful husband 2"
:. Il would like it well enough" she said
. dropping her head, and making courtesy
"Hold on, sir!" again shouted Budgt
boiling over with rage and fear, yet unabl
to move.
y "Don't be impatient. Then pronounc
you man and wife, and wish you muc
, Ijoy!"
> "But, you old fool, you haze married mel
ayes, yo~ aoas fool not to get marie
= before this day. Here is your certiicat,
= sir, and as have to attend to referee cas-
about this hour, beg to be excused"
i "But, my good man." said Bulge, Will
the big drops of sweat rolled down hi
;. blood-red face.
= Eyes" said the old Judge, "a very goo
= plan, indeed; and hope you will neve
,fI regret it, although my fees are but trifing
= ;. he added, by way of hint for them
pay up.
- Bulge could bear it no longer; an
" driving his hat over his head, vanishe
~ through the door like shadow.
: But the movement was unobseryed |
l., the Judge; and the widow thinking to r
y = concile him to the mistake, paid the jud.
= fee Che heard that jingle) and started
- pursuit.
s Bulge few like frightened deer, ar
- those who saw him could only conjectu
:. that the case had gone hard with him.
- Rushing into the house, he trod on n
" merous appendages whose other extrenit
- produced something resembling paint
pr goal. But unheeding everything, be rus
f. ed for his bedroom, where, locking Il
- door, he threw himself upon the bed in
state of mental excitement bordering on
Or sanity.
it For a whole day he lay thus, and
an length the widow made bold to enter.
ce She found the poor man in high fev'
occasioned by the excitement; and, like
er good woman, she set about ministering
ht his wants, and in the course of week
" was able to be about again.
sr- After mature reflection, he conclud
ng not to inform the Judge of his mistake, a
ef content himself with the result that
cats and the widows dog had so curious
10 brought about.
re-
nd
BLACK EYES AND BLUE-Black eyes d.