The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-02-02


People often come to their deaths in strange
ways out West, but in marrying they usually
stick to the old fashioned process. It may
be that like Mauprat in "Richelieu," they
think marriage the more formidable affair of
the two, and that. while to face death only
demands the ordinary boldness of man, know
ipgly to march to wedlock requires 1.-The cour-
age of lion" Be this as it may, progress
appears to DO making encroachments even on
the altar, beyond the Mississippi. An affair
occurred the other day in little town of Ma
rion county, Missouri, which at all events in.
dictates depression from the beaten track. A
young couple we're united without mean, e
it. They did not mean it, that is, in the
morning So far, in truth, we're they from
such design, that both we're engaged to be
married to other people. These latter are to
be congratulated, no doubt, that things have
fallen out as they have, even although breach
of promise case may fairly lie in each in
stance. According to local journal, pluck
would have been thown by the contracting
parties in adhering to their proper engage
ments. Of this however. the reader can
Judge on hearing their story. It has made
great stir iu Marion county, the sensation
consisting in the fact that the parties did not
want to marry, and had no idea of what they
were doing until the wedding was fact
The transaction seems to have been brought
about thus: Two young people, Mr.. Joseph
Chapman and Miss Mamie Hutchinson, being
thrown in company, were Willing away the
hour by general talk about matrlmony-
Previously they appear to have been indulsing
in some Of the mutual banter, which is illus
trated by the juvenile game Of "Follvw my
leader" That is to say, when one Of the
party does given thing, the other party must
do likewise or pay forfeit. Now, whether
fred by sudden fit Of daring, or stimulated
by some more occulent purpose, Joseph sud-
denly affirmed that be could '.back down"
Mamie in getting married that very day
The fair damsel promptly retorted that he
could do nothing of the kind. She could and
would rush into danger as far or further than
her challenger Neither would retreat and
each vowed that there would be wedding
that night unless the other withdrew It is
declared that the lady felt sure when the Or
deal came, the gentleman would retreat; and
that the gentleman entertained similar deep
seated conviction respecting the lady. A few
hours were to show how deeply both were mis-
taken. 1t happened that no clergyman lived
nearer than Emerson, a town four miles away.
The young man proposed to go after this min
ister, and have the nuptias solemnized then
and there. The young lady, with shrcwd
ness, not to say suspicousness, that does her
honor, said she would go along too. Hence,
they started together in buggy with no real
purpose, it is said, even then, of figuring as
principals in a wedding, and leaving their ac-
quaintances laughing at hat they deemed
frst-rate joke.
Arrived at Emerson, neither party would
give in. With indomitable resolution, each
was determined to ''back down" the other
By midnight the clergyman was hunted up
and acquainted with the situation. Even at
the last moment, and on the dangerous edge of
was about to capitulate The consequence is
already imagined. The daring and infexible
pair were married in the buggy. Hymen
thus lighted his torch under circumstances
probably quite unprecedented, and Joseph
and Mamie returned to the circle of thoir ad
miring friends mated for life.
No Intelligence has yet been received from
either of the parties to whom the bride and
groom had previously plighted their troth.-
They have, however, abundant reason for ac-
cepting the situation with equanimity. Mean
while it is hoped, as usual by the we'll wishers
of the new candidates for connubial bliss, that
the nuptiaIs, though hasty, will yet provo
happy ones; and that Mr. and Mrs Chip
| man, notwithstanding they were united in a
buggy, and at six hours notice, will not add
fresh examples to the long catalogue of those
who have married in haste to repent at leis
ure. It will be seen from the whole story
that although clergymen have sometimes
grave seruples about burying men ON account
of their occupations during life they have
none about soemnizing the Office of matrimo-
ny at all sorts of hours, and without asking
and questions of the parties applying to them.
NJ Y. Times