Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-03-31
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4 Rich Marriage Ceremony.
From the Do Soto wis Republican.

From the Do Soto wis Republican.
A number of years ago there dwelt in
this village gentleman by the name of
Charles Whiting. If ever human be-
ing was overstocked with good humor and
waggishncss it was that same Whiting.
He was up to all sorts of innocent tricks,
and his victims were numbered by the
hundred, many of whom yet reside here.
1t came to pass that this wag was elected
Justice of the Peace, and shortly after
his installment in office, couple came
over from Iowa to get united in the holy
bonds of paddock" Whiting tells how
he performed the ceremony, as follows:
Having been appointed to the desira-
bic "posish" of Justice of the Peace, |
was accos.cd, on the 9th of July, by
sleek looking young man, and in silvery
tones requested me to proceed to n eigh-
boring hotel, as he wished to enter in.
to the holy bonds of matrimony. Here
was "squelcher." had never done
anything Of the kind, had no books nor
forms; yet, was determined to do things
up strong. and in legal manner, so |
proceeded to the hotel, bearing in my
arms one copy of the Revised Statutes,
one ditto Webster's unabridged dictiona-
ry, one cory large-sized Bible, small
copy of the creed and articles of faith Of
the Congregational Church, one copy of
Popes Essay on Man, and sectional
part of the map where the victim lived.
Having placed table in the middle of
the room, and seated myself behind it, |
in trumpet tones called the case. With
that the young man and woman, with
great alacrity, stepped up before me-
Having sworn them on the dictionary to
answer well and truly all the questions |
was about to ask, proceeded. | told
the young man that, being an entire
stranger, should have to ask him to give
bail for the costs. Having heard this so
frequently in court, thought it indiS-
pensable. He answered that if meant
the fee for performing the ceremony, he
would deposit it then and there. As |
did not know what did mean, | mag
unanimously waived that portion of the
ceremony. then told him it would be
necessary to give bail to keep the peace.
This he said he was willing to do when he
arrived home and then | waived that
point also
Having established to my satisfaction
that they wanted to get married, and that
they were old enough to enter into that
blessed state, proceeded to tie the knot.
| asked him if he vas willing to take that
woman to be his wife. He said he was.
| told him that did not require haste in
the ansuer-that he might reflect few
minutes if he wished told him she
looked like fine girl, and | had no doubt
shc was; but if the sequel proved that he
was taken in, | did not want to be held
responsible. | said he must love, honor,
and obey her as long as she lived; he
must no, be "snappy' around the house,
nor spit tobacco juice one the floor, all of
which he promised faithfully to heed.
"Now," said |, "Gcorgiana, her name
was Gcorgianal you hear what Humphrey
says. DO YOU accept the invitation to
become his wife? viii you be lenicnt
tow ri his faults and cherish his virtues;
will YOU never be guilty of throwing fur
niture at his head for slight ofcnscs, and
will you get three meals Il day without
grumblng ?" She said she would. | ask
ed them if they believed in the command
ments, and they said they did. Having
read the creed and articles Of faith, as
aforesaid, exclaimed: "Ilumphrey. take
her, she is yours; cannot withhold my
consent" "Georgiana, whtn safe in the
arms of your Humphrey, you caa defy
the SCOTS and jeers Of the world
/ then read little from the Essay on
Man, including that passage, Man wants
but little here below, but wants that little
long" As finale to the scene, deliv-
cred the following exordium: go IN
peace; sin no more"
The generous Humphrey having placed
u fifty cent check in my unwilling palm, |
bade the happy pair L final adieu.