The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-11-25
A Cheerful Wedding,

There is melancholy interest" in a little
affair that actually occurred not thousand
miles from Boston short time since. A well
known clergyman received one morning an
| imperative summons to be in attendance to
perform the ceremony at the residence of an
equally well known undertaken in the even
ing. He went accordingly, supposing Of course
that he was to accompany the man of grief to
house of mourning, but was agreeably dis
appointed on finding the house lover the shop)
brilliantly lighted and filed with guests, whom
the undertaken proceeded to introduce as fol-
lows:
"Ths is my intended wife, sir, Miss Grape.
/ shall marry her tonight ii you will Off
ciate."
Certainly, replied the clergyman, some
what amused, and these are your friends TO
witness the CEREMONY" looking round at the
crowded apartment"
80, yes, you know many of them,-allow
me,-this is Mr.. Bones. Sexton OF st. Charles
Church."
Mr.. Bones rose solemnly and heaved hun
dred dollar funeral sigh as he bowed to the
minister.
"Mr. Mould, sexton of the brick chapel"
Mould, who had low cut white vest,
large glossy white shirt bosom and collar,
pale face and sunken eyes, which gave him
tue appearance of being laid OUT replied to
the c.ergyman's greeting with the usual sad
shake VI the head he had practised at funerals
the past twenty years.
"Tnls,n said the host, as an individual ap-
preached on tip-toe, with downcast gaze, as
If afraid OF disturbing the silence OF the grief
stricken family sitting in the front parlor at q
funeral, '' this is Mr.. Black, the undertaken; L
believe you've met before" Black bowed, and
inclined his head sideways, as if he expected
/ al; 1;va
him before proceeding with the service.
"Alow me to make you acquainted with
Mr.. Stone, the sculptor" (Stone grabbed the
minister's hand as he would mallet) he was
proprietor Of Stones Monumental Works"
Then followed introduction to the superin.
tendents OF two cemeteries, plate engraves
and others more or less connected with thu
grim business OF the host, who, after finishing
Introduction, announced himself ready for th,
marriage ceremony.
"You don't mind standing here and usine,
this black walnut case for table, "d) yol2@
said the bridegroom, it was too heavy ~
move, besides it's full of shrouds and cars
that we don't want to tumble.'
The minister acquiesced and the TWAIN We.s
duly united, after which cake, wine ana eoiI-
versation pervaded the company. ~
The clergyman conSratulateu 'he pIlue-
groom on his blide. g es, rePlIe'. Ine happy
man. she's been my housSkeeper some time,
i, mice W@oman~aln't @ ahaid of dead Iolks.'
!. All indeed" said the clergyman, getting
lirtle chilly down along his backbone in spite
Of himself, and, wishing to change the subject,
he remarked:
Any news to-day, Mr.. Tressells?"
"News, no-that is, yes! You remember
Murker who jumped overheard and drowned
himself from terry-boat last week?'
"Yes.e
swell, they found him this morning in ten
feet OF water, and paying-stoneS in his poek-
ets."
"Indeedw
Yes!-,ee'ce got him up stairs if you'd
like TO see him!'
clergyman thought best 10 take Lis depar.
ture, which he did with a grare demeanof
suited to the occasion.