Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-08
NO. 63.
Humorous.
A RICH MARRIAGE CEREMONY

REOm tne Mhsaourl hepubnean OF the 18th.
The following description Of marriage in
Illinois by newly appointed justice of the
peace who is something Of a wag is taken
verbatim from letter written to friend in this
city. He says
Having been appointed to the desirable "po
slsh OF justice Of the peace l was acoosted on
the 9th day Of July, by sleek looking young
man, and IN silvery tones, requested to proceed
TO neighboring hotel, as he wished to entev
into the holy bonds Of matrlmony. Here was a
''squelcher." had never done anything Of the
kind, had NO books or forms yet l was deter
mlneu TO do things up strong, and In legal
manner 30 l proceeded to the hotel, bearing
IN my arms one copy of the Revised Statues,
one otto Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, one
copy large size Bible, small copy Of the creed
aud articles of faith of the Congregational
Church, one copy Of Pops's Essay on Man, and
sectional part Of the map where the victim
lived Having placed table in the middle Of
the room and seated myself behind it, 1, in
trumpet tones, called the case. With that the
young man and woman, with great alacrity,
stepped up before me. Having sworn them on
the dictionary to answer well and truly all the
questions was about to ask, proceeded. /
told the young man that, being an entire stran-
GER should have 10 ask him to give bail for
the costs. Having heard this SO frequently in
court, thought it indispensable. He answered
II meant the fee for performing the ceremony,
he would deposit then and there. As did not
know exactly what did mean magnanimously
waved that portion Of the ceremony. then
told him it would be necessary to give bail to
keep the peace. This he said he was willing to
do when he arrived at home, and then waved
that point also.
Having established to my satisfaction that
they wanted to get married, and that they were
old enough to enter into that blessed state, L
IN lin fha 1fwnN II al hsua 1a
was willing to take that women to be his wife,
He said he was. told him that did not re-
quire haste in the answer, that he might reflect
a few minutes if he wished. l told him she
looked like fine girl, and had no doubt she
was, but il the sequel proved that he had been
taken in, did not want to be held responsible.
said he must love, honor and obey her as long
as she lived He must not be "snappy" around
the house, nor spit tobacco juice on the foor,
all Of which he promised faithfully to heed
"Now," said 1, "Georgana" (her name was
Georgiana) "you hear what Humphrey says
Do you accept the invitation to become his
wife, will you be lenient toward his faults, and
cherish his virtues; will you never be guilty Of
throwing furniture at his head for slight Of
fences, and will you get three meals day without
grumblngs" She said she would. 1 asked
them if they believed in the commandments,
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 jeers of the world"
/ then read a little from the assay on Man."
including that psssage, "Man wants but little
here below, but wants that little long" As
fnale to the scene, delivered the following
exordium: "Go in peace, sin no more"
The generous Humphrey having placed fifty
cent check in my unwilling palm, bade the
happy pair final adieu.