The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-09-02


pack of cards and shuffled them mechanic
ally. One-eyed Jim, the gambler, took
advantage of the occasion to slip an ace up
his sleeve, and winked at General Har-
dinge when he saw that gentleman observ-
ing him.
"Hould on" murmured Mr.. Brady,
swaying behind the bar, "Mr. Lahyer,
have a sup before the work" "Thank
you," said the District Attorney, glad Of
any excuse for delay, for he found with
alarm that his memory was not near so
strong on the church service as he had
thought. But he knew that it wouldn't
do at all to look embarrassed, so he drank
gracefully to the bride, and taking on a
grave frown, he buttoned his shirt at the
neck, and turned to the gaping assem-
blage.
"The friends will please gather in a
circle" While this was being done on
tip-toe, the District Attorney scowled i'm
pressively. "The gentleman and lady
about to be united in the holy bonds of
matrimony will now please to stand up
the gentleman on the right and the lady
on the left-so. We will begin at your
convenience, madam"
This was addressed to the maternal
Brady, who, as if to add to the agony of
the purple bridegroom's position, had
thrown her arms about her daughters neck
and set up howl. The Generals lady
came to the rescue, and drew off the fond
mother in the midst of her lamentations,
and soon the fearfully constrained silence
was restored
"Dearly- beloved brethren, (hem)v be-
gan the District Attorney in sepulchral
tone, dearly-be!oved brethren; !" he paus-
ed again to blow his nose and scowl around
at the Flatters, who looked guilty
"Dearly- beloved brethren, we are gather
ed here in the sight of God, and in the face
ofthis company to-to-to-in fact to mar
ry Mr.. Finnegan and Miss Brady" The
District Attorney cleared his throat, and
seemed to challenge contradiction. This
is commended of st. Paul to be honorable
among all men," Here the Attorney look
ed solemnly around again. One or two
of the Flatters nodded assent, and Lanky
Tom went so far as to murmur, " You
bet, yer" "And therefore," continued
Brown, lis not to be entered into slightly,
but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, sober
ly, and in the fear of God, the laws of
California-and-'' The District Attorney,
being in the mess again, had recourse to
his pocket handkerchief. The Flatters
improved the opportunity to relieve them
selves by changing their positions and
signing, Mr. Finnegan also drew out a
colored handkerchief to mop his brow, and
the bride accepted a sip from the tumbler
offered by the gallant General. Old Brady
still smiled stupidly behind the bar and
nodded approvingly.
"As have said," resumed the Attorney
desperately, " 1t should not be entered
into lightly, but reverently, discreetly, and
-and-in short, Miss Brady, wilt thou
have this man to be thy welded hus-
band ?"
Miss Brady, after an anxious look at
the Generals lady, murmured that she
would. ,.
'And you, Mr.. Finnegan--wilt thou
have this woman to be thy welded wife p'
cay" said Mr.. Finnegan, stoutly.
Again the District Attorney was hope
lessly stuck. He scowled and pulled out
his handkerchief once more.
"And so you both say you will, do
you? Brown asked this as if clinching
some damaging admission of witness.
"Yis, sur" said Mr.. Finnegan, with
the air of standing by his colors at all haz-
ards.
You do?"
"Yis, we do" Mr.. Finnegan was be-
coming nettled. There was no time to
lose.
"Then hold up your hands. You,
Michael Finnegan, and you, Mary Brady,
do solemnly swear that you tell the whole
truth, nothing but the truth, and the truth
only, so help you God?" ..a
"Yis," gasped Mr.. Finnegan.
"Then, according to the laws of Cali
fornia and the United States, pronounce
you man and wife. And" added the Dis
trict Attorney, with his eyes rolled up
"What God hath Joined let no man put
asunder-amen p
No calm or decorous pen can describe
the extravagances of congratulation that
followed this impressive ceremony. Mr..
Brady half an hour afterwards was carried
upstairs, and forty minutes later the
bridegroom was also borne to his chamber