Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-12-19
MARRIAGE UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

1t was Sunday, and had returned from the
morning service in our chapel at South
Shields, Durham, England. The servant
came to the dining-room to say two gentle
men were waiting in the parlor to see me
found them to be Mr. Dickinson, the chape
keeper, and a big, round, jolly man, who
grinned and bowed on being introduced a:
Mr.. Jobson." The former said it was the
latter who had business with me and, wher
] inquired, after some delay, what the busi
ness might be, Mr. Jobson answered:
"Well, sir, want to be married.
ga verv natural wiSh," / replied, I" and
one that may be gratifed. There is no diff
Guilty in the way, if the lady be in the same
mind"
"Shes all right, sill"
"Where and when do you wish to be mar
riedY'
"In the chapel that you preached in this
morning, three weeks tomorrow, at nine
O'Clock"
Il see; as soon as the notice required by
law expires. Yet you do not seem to have
been in hurry to exchange single blessed
ness. You must be-what? Forty p
Eyes. am more than it.
every we'll, Mr.. JobsOn, will be there
at the time"
Intimating that my wife was waiting din
ner, was proceeding to open the door FOL
the gentleman 10 leave, when the expectant
bridegroom asked, in tone of surprise, If
could not "take down the names" Ger
tainly, if be des red though it was not nes'
essary then. After giving me his first name,
he gave me that of his .fancee, Mrs. n. Wat
kins Sae had been married before. His
anxiety that should take the names, his
formal manner altogether in advising me
thus early of the wedding led me:when
thought of the matter, n day or two after
ward-to wonder whether he supposed that
in order to give the legal notice he had only
to speak to the minister. Mr.. Dickinson,
to whom mentioned the matter, thought he
could not make such mistake but he could
speak to his wife. She knew the lady anC
would see her. The following Monday even
ing was requested to step into their house,
which was adjoining the chapel. JobSon
had come to see me again and it was as
feared. Not until that day had he given
notice to the public officer, whose duty it
was to register the births, deaths and mar
riages in the district where he resided. OF
course acknowledged the compliment i'm
piled in his considering it quite sufficient to
.iell me about and endeayored to console
him by saving the desired event would be
postponed only seren days, and single week
was not long with one who had waited more
imam forty wears. He admitted that but
could not see why persons eager to be Joined
tried twenty-one days before the great SUBJ
iect of their lives could be realized. Which
| gave him to understand was not absolutely
necessary. for by special license he might
have his matrimonial desires accomplished
in two or three days. He was OF frugal
mind. however; and, when told it would
cost considerable more, he thought he should
wait.
The three weeks spread on rapid wing with
me but moved on leadtn feet, no doubt
with them. Punctually at thelhour appoint
cd | was at the chapel gate; but, finding
them closed, | turned around the corner and
Knocked at the seXton's door.
care these weddings Gomez
"Hush! h-u-s-h! !" whispered that
cautious dame, as, with winks and gestures,
she signaled that l might be overheard, at
the same time leading me through one room
into the kitchen behind. There sat the
iolly man, his ruddy countenance beaming
like the rising sur. He smiled all over his
face as he Saluted lse. A buxom lady SAT
on the opposite side OF the room, apparently
fair, fat and forty but so arrayed in 8
blue dress, faring led shawl, large bon
net. and large green vail that her figure
and wears were partially concealed. No one
offered to introduce her; so | addressed Mr.
Jobson
Mrs Watkins presume ~
eyes, SIR said he. with proud look
That's her,"
bowed to her She rose, courtrsied grace
fully, and smirked: 'Gooomorning sir.
''Is the registrar not come, Mrs. Dickinson
9 Not yet. He's sore to lie here soOu
though
We fen into conversation. 1t being fine
morning. ! congratulated the nuptial pail
upon it, hoping the Sunshine was typical o
their future lives. When l could talk of tn,
weather no longer, | said to the ianitOr'
wife:
"Is the registrar usually late on occasions
of this kind?"
I" No indeed. He likes his fees too we'll y
We conversed on other topics. / had t.
explain why we could not proceed with th'
ceremony without the registrar. When Mrs
Watkins had the happiness of being led t.
the bvmenial altar before, it was in one o
the consecrated edikces of the Established
Church, and no such officer wasin attendance
there No doubt but the wise and equal law
of England insist on one being present wher
even marriage is sIemnized in a Noneon
fornist meeting house. Those dissenters art
a mean lot, and not to be trusted. While w
thus talked, an old clock that hung owe
the mantel shelf kept on swinging its Ions
pendulum nearly yard each way, till th'
figures pointed to $50, 9:55 and 10 O'Clock
] grew restless.
"It is strange this man does not come.
hope there is no mistake again, Mr.. Jobson!
There cannot be, sir.
"You gave notice at Newcastle"
Certainly. came down on purpose t.
tell you So"
And at Shields p
"Shields! Shields, sir! What, was tha
necessary p
Assursdly, seeing that Mrs. Watkins re
sides herel You cannot be married"