The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-09-07
A Rich Marriage Ceremony.

From the Missouri Republican. July 26. !
The following description of marriage
in Illinois Ivy newly appointed Justice of
the Peace, who is something of a wag, is
taken rerbdtim from letter written to a
friend in this city. He says:
"Having been appointed to the desirable
'pCsish of .Justice Of the Peace, | was ac-
cOsted on the 5th day of July by sleek
looking Young man. and in silverv tones
requested ~ proceed to a reighboring ho-
tel, as he wished to enter into the holy
bonds of matrimony. Here was a squech-
er. / had never done anything Of the
kind. had no books or forms: vet I was
determined TO do things up strong and le-
gal manner, so / proceeded to the hotel
bearing in my arms one copy of the Re-
viscd Statutes. one ditto WehSter's Una
bridgcd Dictionary, one copy large sized
Bible, n small copy Of the Creed and Ar
h'les of Faith "ftho CONGREGATIONAL church,
on" copy of Pope's Essay on Man, and O
sectional part Of the map whore the vie
tim lived. Having placed table in the
middle Of the room and seated myself be-
with that the Young man ana woman,
with great alacrity. stepped up before me.
Having sworn them on the dictionary to
answer well and truly all the question
was about to ask, | proceeded. r told the
young man that being an entire stranger.
I should have to ask him to give bail for
the costs. Having heard this SO frequent
~ in court, l thought itindlspensahle. il He
answered if meant the fee for performing
the ceremony, he would deposit il then
and there. AS l did not know exactly
what did mean, Imagnanimously waived
that portion of the ceremony. I then told
him 1t would be necessary TO give bail To
keep the peace. This he said he was will
inG to DO when he arrived at home, and
then waived that point also.
"iIaving established to my satisfaction
that they wanted to get married, and that
they were old enough to enter into that
blessed state, proceeded to tie the knot.
| asked him if he was willing To takesthat
woman to be his wife. He said he was. |
told hun that did not require haste in the
answer, that he might reflect a few min
utes if he wished. ] told hm she looked
like a fine girl, and had no doubt but she
was, but if The .equal proved that he was
taken in, did not want to be held respon-
siblc. | said he must love. honor and
obey her as long rs she lived. lie must
not be 'snappy' around the houSe, nor spit
tobasco juice on the floor, all of which he
promised faithfully to heed.
Now, said /. 'Georgiana, (her name
was Georgiana,) your hear whas Hum
phrey says. DO you accept the invitation
to become his wife; will you be lenient to-
ward his faults, and cherish his virtues;
will you never be guilty of throwing fur
niture at his head for slight offeuses, and
will you get three meals day without
grumhling?' She said she would. Iasl<ed
them if they believed in the command
ments, and they said they did. Having
read the creed and articles of faith. as
aforesaid, exclaimed: Humphrey, take
her, she is yours; / cannot withhold my
consent. Georgiana, when safe in the arms
of your Humphrey, you can defy the SCOTS
and jecrs of the world ...... ...
"I then read little from the Essay on
Man. including that passage, Man wants
but little here below, but wants that little
long AS finale to the scene, delivered
the following exordium, Go in peace and
sin no more -"
'The generous Humphrey having placed
fifty cent check in my unwilling palm,
bid the happy pair a final adieu."