The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-08-15
A RIcn MARRIAGE CEREMONY

A RIcH MARRIAGE CEREMoNY.-
The following description Of a mar
riage in Illinois, by anewly appointed
Justice of the Peace, who is something
of a wag, is taken verbatim from a
letter written to friend in St. Louis /;
Having been appointed to the desi-
able ''posish" of Justice Of the Peace,
was accosted on the 9th day OF July
by sleek looking young man, and in
silvery tones requested to proceed to
a neighboring hotel, as he wished to
enter into the holy bonds OF matalmo-
ny. Here was a "squelcher." had
never done anything Of the kind, and
had no books or forms; yet | was de-
termined to do things up strong and
in a legal manner, SO ! proceeded to
the hotel, bearing n my arms one
copy OF the Revised Statutes, one
ditto Websteris Unabridged Diction-
ary, one copy large Bible, a small
copy Of the creed and articles Of faith
Of the Congregational Church, one
copy Of Pope's Essay on Man and a
sectional part Of .fe map where the
victim lived. Having placed a table
in the middle Of the room and seated
myself behind 1t, | in trumpet tones,
called the case. With that the young
man and woman with great alacrity
stepped up before me. Having sworn
them on tie dictionary to answer well
and truly all the questions | was about
to ask, | proceeded. | told the young
man that, being an entire stranger, |
should have to ask him 10 give bail
for the costs. Having heard this so
frequently in court, thought it in dis
pensable. lie answered ii | meant
the fee for performing the ceremony,
he would deposit it then and there
As | did not know exactly what | did
mean, magnanimously waived that
portion OF the ceremony. / then told
him ii would be necessary to give bail
to keep the peace. This he said he
was willing to do when he arrived at
home, and | also waived that point.
Having established TO my satisfac-
ton that they wanted to get married,
and that they were old enough to en-
ter into that blessed state, | proceed
ed to lie the not | asked him if he
was wiling to take that woman to be
his wife. He said be was. | told
him Itlid not require haste in the an
swer-that he might reflect few
minutes il he wished. told him she
looked like fine girl. and ! had no
doubt She was, but it the sequel Prov
ID that be had been taken in, | did
not want 10 be held responsible. |
sald he must lore, honor and obey
her, as long as she lived. He must
nyi be '-nappy" around the house, nor
spII tobacco juice on the floor, all Of
which he promised faithfully to heed.
Now" said |, "Georgiana, do you
bear what Humphrey says. Do you
accept the invitation TO become his
wiie-.-will you be lenient towards his
faults and cherish his rtues---will
YOU never be guilty ofthrowing furni-
ture al his head for slight offenses,an
will YOU get three meals day with
out grumbling z" She said she would.
| asked them if they believed in the
commandments, and they said they
did. Having read the creed and ar
ticles OF faith, as aforesaid, ! exclaim-
ed. 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 little from tie Essay on Man."
including this passage "Man wants
but little here below, nor wants that
litile long" AS finale to the scene,
/ delivered the following exordium
go in peace, sin no more. The
generous Humphrey having placed a
fifty cent check in my unwilling palm,
bade The happy pair a final adieu.-~
fE..-.,-s. peHssiliea0