The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-10-04
Marriage Of Deaf Mites.

and Miss Harriet o. Armstrong.
This was one Of the most notable
occasions occurring in our town fo
long time, and as an invited ques
we feel at liberty to make a note of it
Both of the parties are deaf mutes
having lost the sense of hearing il
early childhood from disease. TIL,
bride is sister of Mrs Lindley, al
accomplished and admirable lady
and after receiving thorough edu
cation in Philadelphia has occupied
responsible stations at Western in
situations. The groom is gentle
man of culture and good business
qualifications, at present superinten
dent of the boot and shoe department
of the Wisconsin Deaf and Duml
Institute, at Delevan, and the pro
prietor of boot and shoe store il
that city.
The hour appointed was IL o'clock
but the invited guests are not always
particular to be present at the LOU
appointed, and for this reason the
rite was not performed until nearly
10 o'clock. But, finally, goodly
number were assembled and with
faces and curious eyes, await
ed the appearance of the bride and
bridegroom. Soon the Rev. Mr.
Currie presented himself in the par.
lor, with books and papers in hand
ready to form that mysterious union
between the parties. which death
alone can sever. Then the brida
pair 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 an
swer to.the questions proposed, and
repeat the parts required by the i'm.
pressive services of the Episcopal
Church, when they can neither hear
nor speak? This seemed to be o
question in the minds of those pres.
ent. The query, however, was soon
Mr.. Currie first read the
charge to the assembly, that if any
there knew any cause why they
should not be joined. Then the
chrage was presented to the bridal
pair in writing, as follows: I require
and charge you both, etc. They not
seeming to think that the loss of the
sense of hearing formed any in pedi-
ment to matrimonial bliss the usual
questions were presented in waiting
to each i'll turn, and while they were
reading them they were read loud to
the company. At the close each
bowed assent, they having answered
them in writing before the ceremony
Next came the novel part of the
ceremony. Mr.. Currie read aloud
sl.o r...t Of thu Ltidoe.eon, &c fAlleue
and he repeated after the minister in
the sign language to the bride:
I, Charles, take thee, Harriet to
my welded wife
Then the bride repeated after him
to the bridegroom in the same man
ner: I, Harriet, take thee Charles,
to my welded husband etc. T.,
Next the ceremony of the giving
and receiving of the ring was said,
in the same curious language of signs
the bridegroom repeating: with this
ring I thee wed,' etc.
All things necessary to constitute
them man and wife having now been
satisfactorily managed, they were
pronounced man and wife and after
prayer, dismissed with benediction.
This couple were not at all discon-
certed during the ceremony, and
seemed to enter into the spirit of it
as we'll as any people who have the
gift of speech. And from all that
can be seen, they seemed to enjoy
the society of each other quite as
we'll as those who can make signs and
speak, too.
The congratulations were many
and earnest, happily received, and
the best wishes of all present will
ever accompany these friends as they
go forward on the journey of life.
Il Newton { Iowa) Free Press.
c~>>~--@.-,o----~--
- Smith met Brown the other
day. Smith is Browns new neigh
Dor. And Smith said: "Mr. Brown,
this is your wife's birthday, I under
stand; won't you allow me to make
. little present ?" Certainly, Mr..
Smith," said Brown; ssyou are very
kind, but this is quite unexpected;
you are quite stranger, you know f"
Never mind" said Smith; "that's no
reason why we should not be on the
pest friendly terms" And SO they
vent into n convenient ;owolor,, a