Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-09-11
GETTING MARRIED.

During the last summer, a little incident
trauspired in one Of the Eastern towns, which
afforded some amusement to the spectators at
the time, and furnished food for considerable
gossip thereafter 1t occurred IN church IL one
of those quiet afternoons when all the world
seems ready to drop asleep; when the flies buzz
lazily ON the window pares, and the dog lies on
the door stone.
The afternoon service had ended, and the
congregation were arranging themselves for the
benedic.ion, shen to thc great astonishmont Of
the worshippers. the good parson descended
from the pulpit to the desk below, and said IN
calm clear voice:
Those wishing to be united in the holy bands
| Of nafrinsony, VIII now please come forward
deep stiffness instantly feli over the oon-
/ gregation. broken only by the rustlins OF silk,
as some pretty girl or excited matron, changed
! her position to catch a view Of the couple TO be
married. No one, however arose. OF seemed the
/ e a inclined to rise.
/ Whereupon the worthy clergyman, deelning
/ his first notice unhcard or missunlerstood, re
/ peated the invitation
- Let those wishing to be united in the holy
bands Of matrimony, come forward
/ Still no one stirred. The silence became alar-
mabie, and painful sense Of the awkwardness
Of he position was gradually spreading among
/ those present, when a young gentleman who had
occupied vacant seat in the broad aisle during
the service, slowly arose, and deliberately walk
ed to the foot uG the altar. He was a good look
/ ing, ard wei dressed nan; but 10 one knew him,
and no female accompanied his travels. When
/ lie arrived within 4 respectable distance Of the
clergyman, he paused, and with a reverant bow,
stepped to one side Of the aisle but neither said
anything, nor seemed at all disconnected at the
idea OF being married alone.
The clergyman looked earnestly around for
the bride, who, he supposed, was yet 70 arrive,
and at length remarked to the young gentle
man IN under tone
= The lady, sir, Is dilatory -
:. Very, sir.''
Had we not better defer the ceremony 2"
9 I think not DO you suppose size viii be
kere soon. p
- Ne sir - said the astonisbed shepherd .-how
should l know Of your lady's movements That
Is matter belonging to yourself
= few moments more were suffered to elapse
in this unpleasant state Of expectancy, when
the clergyman renewed his interrogatories:
. Did the lady promise TO attend at the pres
Ont hour -
Z" What lady"
. Why the lady, to be sure, that you are wait
ing here for"
= did not hear her say anything about it -
was the unsatisfactory responce."
. Then sir, may ask why you are here. and
tor what purpose you tTife in the sanctuary of
the Most High p said the somewhat enragei
I clerical.
. come, sir. because you invited all those
wishing 10 be united in the holy bands of nlatri-
r mony to step forward, and happened to enter
l tain such a wish! l am very sorry 10 have
4 nlisun3erstooi you, sir, and wisl. You a very
e good day"
= The hcnolicti,n was uttered with 4 s1emnity
Of tone very iittle in accordance with the tuftcb
T ins Of the facial nerves; and when. after n,
church was closed. the story got wind among III,
congregation. more than one girl regretted that
her wishes lad not been as boldly EXPRESSED a
c the young genileman's who had really wisbe.
n 10 be united IN the holy bands OF lnatrimonv.'