The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1871-09-30
Marriage of a Pair of Deaf Mutes

RIDuT-ARMsrRoNu-At the resi-
dcnce of j. LindIey in this city, on the
9th inst, by Rev, w. T. Currie, Mr..
Charles I'll. Ridout and Miss Harriet o.
ARMSTRONG
This was one OF the most notable oc-
casions occurringiin our town for long
time, aud as, an Invited guest we feel at
liberty to make note Of it. Roth o!
the parties are deaf mutes, having lost
the sense OF hearing in early childhood,
from disease. The bride is sister of
Mrs. Lindley, an-accomplshcd aud ami
able lady, and after receiving thor
ough. education at Philadelphia, has
occupied responsible stations at Western
institutions. The groom is gentleman
of culture and good business qualifca-
tions, at presens, superintendant of the
boot aud shoe department of the Wiscon-
sin Deaf and Dumb Institute, at Della
van, and the proprietor of a boot and
she store in that city.
The hour appointed for tho ccremo-
ny was l o'clock, bu; invited guests
are not always particular to be present
at the hour appointed, and for this rea-
son the rite was not performed until
nearly II. But finally, goodly num-
Der were asseaaled, and with smiling
=lsaes=saz., ,asse;sS1f ,gsz Yswoited tbs ap
pearance of the bride and bridegroom.
Soon the Rev. Mr.. Currie presented
himself in the parlor, with book and
papers i'll hnhd, ready t. form that mvs-
tc.ious uninn between these parties
Which death slune can sever Then the
bridal p,ir came in, joyous and blushing
like nature in the gay time of spring.
All eyes and ears were intent on the
ceremony. How can they answer to the
questions proposed, and repeat the parts
required by the Impressive services of
The Episcopal church, when they can
neither hear nor speak This seemed
to be a question III the minds of those
present. The query, however, was soon
answered. Nr. Curric first read the
charge to the assembly, that if any one
knew any just cause why they should
not be joined together i'm matrimony.
he should declare it. Then the charge
was pr s'n'ed to the bridal pair in writ
ing as follows: II require aud charge
You both" &c. They, not seeming to
think that the loss of the sense of hear
ing formed any impcdimcut to matrimo-
NAL bliss, the usual questions were pre-
SCI tel i'll writing to each in turn. and
while they were reading them they were
read aloud to the company At the
close each bowed assent-thcy having
answered them in writing before the
ceremony commenced
Next came the novel part Of the cerc-
= 11.!., ~. Cu.... a.. aiv ;..c ,,ar,
Of the bridegroom, as follows, and he
repeated after the minister in the sign
language to the bride (:
81 charles. AXE thee, Harriet, to H.y
welded wife"
Then the bride repeated after him to
the bridegroom in the same manner:
81, Harriet, take thee, Charles to nv
welded husband" nc.
Next the ceremony of the giving and
receiving of the ring laid in the same
curious language OF signs, the bride
groom repeating with this ring /
thee we'd" &c.
All things necessary to constitute
them man and wife having now been
satisfactorily managed, they were pro-
uounced man and wife, and after prayer
dismissed with bencdiction.
This couple were not at all dlsconcer-
ted during the ceremony, aud seemed to
enter into the spirit OF it as well as any
people who have the gift of speech. And
from all that can be seen they seem
fully to enjoy the society of each ether
quite as well as those who can make
signs and speak too
t&Ihc congratulations were many and
earnest, happily received, and the best
wishes of all present will ever accompa-
ny these friends as thpy 60 forward on
the journey oflifc