North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-07-17
WISHING TO he MARRIED.

The latest innovation in the usage, and
custom of the Established Church Of Scot
land is the celebration of marriage at th,
church, instead of privately at the resi-
dence of the parties, the former mode, i
is alleged, being in conformity with tht
directory of public worship and the an
cient practice of the Presbyterian Church
Appropos of this innovation may be rela-
ted the following incident.
The afternoon services had ended, ant
the congregation we're arranging them
selves for the benediction, when, to the
manifest interest ofths worshippers, the
good parson descended from the pulpit t.
the desk below, and said in clear, calm
voice: ,..- 30
"Those wishing tc be united in the holy
bonds of matrimony will now please come
forward" '." t@7.l
A deep stiffness instantly fell over the
congregation, broken only by the rustline
of silk, as some pretty girl or excited mat
ron changed her position to catch the first
view of the couple to be married. Noone
however. arose, or seemed in the least in
clined to rise. Whereupon the worthy
clergyman, deemlng the first notice un-
heard or misunderstood, he repeated
"Let those wishing to be unIted in the
holy bonds of matolmony, now come for
ward"
Still no one stirred. The silence be.
came almost audible, and painful sense
of awkwardness among those present wa:
felt, when young gentleman who occu'
pied vacant seat in the broad aisle during
the service, slowly arose, and deliberately
walked to the foot of the altar. He was
good looking and well dressed, but no fe-
male accompanied his travels. When he
arrived within respectable distance of the
clergyman, he paused, with reverant bow
stepped TO one side of the aisle, but Meth,
er. said anything For seemed at all discon-
certed at the idea of being married alone.
The clergyman looked anxiously around
for the bride, who he supposed was yet to
arrive, and at length remarked to the
young gentleman in an under tone:
"The lady, sir, is dilatory."
"Yes, sir"
"Had you not better defer the ceremo-
ny"
81 think not"
"Do you suppose she will be here soon
''Me, sir" said the young gentleman,
how should know of the lady's move
ments
A few moments more were suffered tc
elapse in this unpleasant state of expectan.
cy, when the clergyman renewed his inter.
rogatories.
"Did the lady promise to attend at the
present hour, sir?
"What lady 2"
"Wly the lady to be sure, that you are
waiting here for."
81 did not hear her say anything about
it." was the unsatisfactory response.
Then, sir, may I ask why you are here,
and for what purpose you thus trife in the
sanctuary of the Most High ?" said the
somewhat enraged clerical.
81 came, sir. simply because you invited
all those aOishing to be united in the holy
bonds of matrimony to step forward and
| happened to entertain such a wish.
am very sorry to have misunderstood YOU,
sir, and wish you very good day.
The benediction was uttered with so
lemnity Of tone very little in accordan ce
with the twitcbsing of the facial nerves,
and when, after the church was closed, the
story got among the congregation, more
than one girl regretted that the yonng gen.
tleman who really wished to be united in
the holy bonds of matrimony, had been oh
lidged to depart without wife.-London-
derry Standard.