The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-03-07
MY FIRST WEDDING.


! MY FIRST WEDDING.
i was pastor of the Baptist Churcl
in C., Indiana. 1t was my frs
year ia the ministry, and in midwin
ter powerful revival was in progres
among our people. I was p-eachin:
every night, and my strength was be
ing taxed to the utteImost to pre-
pare new sermon for each evening
besides attending to all other dutie
that were pressing upon me from ey
cry quarter.
| One morning as had seated my
self at my deskto think out a sermon
for night, young man called upor
me. in ''behalf of his friend" who wa
to be married that day TO the girl O
his choice, and desired that should
| oficiate on the happy occasion. Al
The place was eleven miles distant, the
roads were heavy with snow, and tht
hour 3 p. M, did not see how could
well go and get back in time to preach
that night. l begged him to excuse
me, and find some other minister
But no, his friend and his intended
had heard me preach once in theiI
neighborhood, and both had long ago
decided that no other minister should
marry them. This was far from un-
pleasant to my young and foolish ears
so / felt complimented, and was hall
inclined to go, besides the vision of q
"fee" rose before me, and l thought
of an empty -four barrel at home, and
how it would gladden. my young wife
to come home and place five or ten
4 1<,ll 4, L.,
ding fee-and so decided to go. j
at once went to a stable, and hired a
horse and bGggy-price for halliday,
five dollars. l had not thought OF
this expense at first, and said to my
self, "Well, the fee will be ten dollars,
and that will leave five dollars for
wife," After an early lunch, l started
and three hours of hard driving
through the heavy snow, brought me
to the house, an old fashioned, dou-
bic log cabin, but quite large withal,
having one large room on one side OF
the. open hall land two small bedrooms
on the other side. A crowd of young
men were gathered about the house !;
along line of horses and several wag-
ons.were ranged along the road tence,
some fifty feet from the door. They
seemed to recognize me as The SPAR
son." and fell into line, and followed
me into the hall-if so you might call
the open passage that divided and yet
made the two cabins one. 1 knocked
at the door, and in a moment it was
opened by very wise looking wo-
man who, withal, seemed to think
that the whole affair was one OF
deepest seriousness, to judge from her
face and manner. Upon opening the
door she Immediately retired, saying
not word. was awkwardly stand
ing IN the open door, feeling very
much embarrassed. had never been
but to one wedding before, and that
was when my wife and were leading
lady and gentleman. A huge log fire
blazed on the fireplace opposite, and
ranged around the walls of the room
some thirty or forty persons, mostly
young women. They sat as stiff and
motionless as Mrs. Jarley's Wax
Works, except that all eyes were turn
ed on me; they said never word
My embarrassment grew apacc. FL
nally, aroused myself, and tugged
away at my gloves, trying them on
my numbed fingers, said in a careless,
and in as much of business way as
possible:
II am the minister, and am come to
perform the marriage ceremony"
No one said word but they look
ed at each other and then at me.
The silence was very oppressive.
''Tbe hour for the ceremony to be
performed has arrived" said; sand
1 must get back to preach by o'clock,
| hope you will inform the parties
that l am here and waiting"
No one seemed to know anything
about, and elected no reply. All this
time was standing inthe stairway, land
telt that was getting quite red in the
face; was confused at the silence,
for it was unbroken still, except by 9
suppressed giggle from one of the
maidens against the wall.
perhaps" said /, making another
effort, "the happy couple would like
to see me before they make their ap.
pearance in this company
This seemed to strike an old woman
who opened the door for me at first
She at once arose and beckonod NE
/ TO follow-she said not word-and
led me across the hall to one of the
small chambers before mentioned
and, opening the door, pointed me il
with, "There they are" and shut me
| in
"And, sure enough, there sat Johr
and Mary on the edge of the bed
| dressed in their best bib and tucker
both looking as confused and silly as
possible, but they said never word
only turned little red in the face al
/ looked at them, very much as though
they felt ashamed of themselves.
"Well," said 1, SIT is time we were
in the other room; and if you arr
ready we will go in at once, as an
in quite hurry to get back to town.
But they answered never word
only hung their heads a little lower
and looked little more foolish.
What was to do? Had l got int
a community of mules? / tried once
more.
Perhaps you have some choice a
to the ceremony ?"
They did not seem to understand
for they both looked at me in amaze
ment.
81 mean," 1 continued, "you hav
some choice as to the length of tn
ceremony? Some, / believe, like
long, and. some short service"
i At this John and Mary looked a
each other.
Said Mary, "John, you say"
Said John, s'No, you say"
Said Mary. "No, say yourself"
With this, John in very sheepisl
scared way, stammered out:
"W -e-l-l, p-a-r-s-o-n. | guess abOu
d-o-l-l-a-r-'s worth"
l do not remember how we got int
the next room; but ! was mad.
thought of my five dollar horse ant