The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-12-20
.rOE ROWER.S UEDDING.

contains boast one of the best iudg-
- in California. On the bench he is
,irm. decided and prompt, not caring a
map of the finger for either the applause
f friends or the muttering of enemies.
He is, perhaps, the most devoted man
% the law in all creation. and las ms
,and so full of what he terms "Juuiclai
ak" that he not untrequentiy mas
himself making learned charges. ana
nassing sentences outside the court
on a recent occasion the judge was
5.alled to exercise the power ana au-
fhority in him vested" IN the ease OF a
Young couple who desired wediock. or
curse he consented TO perform me
,ieaso,t duty and on the appointed
svening was promptly on mana at the
bonr at which the affair was to come OFF.
rbe room was crowded by the beauty
md fashion of the town, and none look
I'd more dignitied or happy than the
,ndoe himself. who was dressed with
n an inch of his life.
The wine had passed round and round
the music had ceased-the time for
making Joseph Bowers and Nancy Har-
Ejns one had arrived. Every heart
throbbed with the most delightful
emotions. The young gentlemen desired
10 know how Joe would stand it, and
the Young ladies We're anxious to see
how Nancy would suffer the anxious.
others again, who had closely observed
he turn of affairs during the evening,
fxed their attention upon the Judge, to
sec how he would come out of the
grape.
At length the trying moment was an
nounced, the judge rose very cautiously
from the chair which he occupied in one
corner of the room, and casting his eyes
over the company he singled out the
sheriff of the county, who was present
As an invited guest. The Judge had
lust imbibed enough to make him for
ret the nature Of his business. He was
full of his "judicial talk" and required
nothing but the presence of the sheriff
to start him. Looking sternly at that
officer, he shouted:
"Mr. Sheriff, open the court, and call
order"
4 general twitter followed this COM
mand, in the midst of which Mr.. Sheriff
took the scourt" by the arm and led
him to his seat in the corner, at the
same time informing the august person.
age of the mistake.
Everything now bid fair for pleasant
and sudden termination of the affair,
until another annoyance, which was
nothing else than the absence OF the
BRIDEGROOM, was observed. 1t turned
out that he had just stepped across the
street to Join his friends in a parting
drink; but before his return some cold
FLOODED wag had whispered into the ear
Of our old fogy the cause of " the delay
Of the proceedings" Instantly the
chair in the corner moved, and in that
direction all eyes were fixed.
Mr.. Sheriff." slowly bawled the
Judge, "bring Joe into the court on a
2upenar," the judge had his own way
Of pronouncing the word ); then, adj
dressing the bride, who had stood in the
foreground and hung her head in deep
confusion, he added, ''f s'pose you are
The plaintiff? Well, don't take on. In
nocence and virtue will be protected in
this here court"
This was the saddest blunder of all.
. The Judge was again made to see his
mistake, and would have been consider
ably set back had it not been for a cor
rective in the shape Of forty drops Of
inc critter," which he instantly applied.
In few moments all was ready in
right down earnest. The bridegroom
had arrived, full of joy. The excitement
was intense. He evidently felt every
inch Judge.
"J-J-o.e B-B-o-w-e-r-s," commenced
The man of law in that distressing style
Of speech with which he was invariably
troubled when under the influence of
liquor, "J-J-o-e B-B-o-w-e-r-s, stand up.
Have y-y-you anything to s-s-ay w-why
S-s-sentence-"
"Stop, stop, stop, Judge" shouted the
iheritf, from the back part of the room
you are not going to hang the man,
but marry him."
The Judge drew long breath, and
olinked rapidly, but he stood his ground
we'll. Recovering himself he proceed
"J-J-o-e B-B-o-w-e-r-s, do y-you take
Nancy II. Harkins for y-your wife, SO
help me God ,"
This was toerable effort, and Joe
nodded assent.
INFANCY Harkins. it now remains
or this c-court to"
Here the sheriff again interrupted the
Judge, reminding him of the real bust
ness Of the evening""
Miss NANCY" resumed the Judge,
'ller being set Alright, "d-d-do y-.you
Y,you t-take Joe B-Bowers for a hus-
4 b. l. Irn