The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-17
MY FIRST WEDDING.

ministry, and in mid winter powerful
revival was in progress among our peo-
pie.
was preaching every night and my
strength was being taxed to the uttermost
to prepare new sermon for each evening,
besides attending to all other duties that
were pressing upon me from every quarter.
One morning, just as had seated my
self at my desk to think out a sermon for
night, young man called upon me in
'Tbehalf of young FRIEND" who was to be
married that day to "the girl of his choice"
and desired that should officiate on the
happy occasion.
AS the place was eleven miles distant,
the roads heavy with snow, and the hour
p. M, did not see how could well get
back to preach that night
begged him to excuse me and find
some other minister. But no, his friend
and his intended had heard me preach
once in their neighborhood, and both had
long ago decided that no other minister
should marry them.
This was far from unpleasant to my
young and foolish eais, so felt compli-
mented, and was half inclined to go be-
sides, the vision of a "fee" rose before me,
and thought of an empty flour barrel at
home, and how it would gladden. my young
wife to come home and place five or ten
dollar note in her hand--my first wedding
| foe-and SO decided to 90. ..
at once went to stable and hired a
horse and buggy-price for half day,
five dollars. had not thought Of this ex-
pense at first, and said to myself
swell, the fee will be ten dollars, and
that will leave five dollars 70: my wife,"
After an early lunch started, and three
hours of hard driving through the heavy
snow brought me to the house-an old
fashioned, double log cabin, but quite
large withal, having one room on one side
of the open hall, and two small bedrooms
on the other side.
A crowd of young men were gathered
about the house I; a long line of horses and
several wagons were ranged along the road
fence some fifty feet from the door.
They seemed to recognize me as the
"parson," and fell into line and followed
me into the hall--if so you might call the
open passage which divided and yet made
the two cabins one.
/ knocked at the door and in moment
it was opened by very wise-looking wo-
man, who withal, seemed to think that
the whole affair was one of the deepest
seriousness, to judge from her face and
manner.
Upon opening the dooi she Immediately
retired, saying not word.
was standing in the open door, feeling
very much embarrassed. l had never
been but to one wedding before, and that
was when my wife and were leading lady
and gentleman.
A huge log blazed ON the fireplace op-
posite, and ranged around the walls of the
room were 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 turned on me ; they said never a
word.
My embarrassment grew apace.
Finally / aroused myself, and tugging
away at my gloves, trying them on my
numbed fingers, said, in careless and as
much of business way as possible
"I am the minister and have come to
perform the marriage ceremony"
| Not one word was said, but they kept
looking at each other and then at me.
The silence was very oppressive.
"The hour for the ceremony TO be per.
formed has arrived" said, "and must
get back to preach by seven o'clock.
hope you will inform the parties that am
here awaiting"
No one seemed to know anything about
il, and elected no reply.
All this time was standing in the door
way, and felt that l was getting quite rec
in the face. ia i&
/ was confused at the'silence, for 1t wal
unbroken still, except by suppressed gig
gle from one of the maidens against the
wall.
Perhaps" said !, making another of
fort, I" the happy couple would like to So
, me before they make their appearance ii
= this company"
v This seemed to strike the old woman