The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-01-05


The Church Of the Messiah, on Ninth
and Olive Streets, opened wide It's doors
Thursday evening and throng Of fash
ionablc people gathered within. There
was the rustic ana murmnr betokening
animated femininity, and look Of ex-
pectancy on every face, indicative Of
pleasing event soon 10 be. Half glance
was enough TO inform the initiated II
was a prospective wedding that had
drawn all these people into the house Of
worship on an unusual evening. The
time for the ceremony came and pass
cd, and patience gave out entirely. At
last the word passed down the aisle that
the wedding was of for the present,
and those who had come tripping in
smiling and expectant went away with
their wonder-stricken faces, expressing,
louder than words, the universal irfer-
rogative, "What does ii mean?n
DIR. G.. ID. Owens and Miss Julia Will
gus were to have been married Thurs
day evening at the Church of the Mes
siah, and the preparations had pro-
gressed TO a stage which made the con-
summation of the ceremony but matter
of short ride, march up the long
altar. DIR. Owens is a young physician
who came here from South Carolina, a
few years ago, and has moved in good
society, being considered an honorable
and spirited gentlemen. Miss Wilgus
is lady belonging to an old and high
ly respectable family, having connec-
tions with some Of the wealthiest peo-
pie in the city. She is an heiress, hav-
ing been left a snug property Of $780,
600, or Whereabouts, by her uncle, who
was a painter and lived in st. Louis
great many years.
The marriage has been in prospect
for some time, but it Is said that well
meaning friends Of Miss Wilgus inter
fered somewhat and endeavored 10 dis
suade her from her intended nuptials.
Failing in this 1t was suggested that a
contract should be entered into by
which the bridegroom should make
certain pledges respecting the property
of the lady. DR.. Owens, so the story
runs, treated the matter delicately, and
intimatad that he was willing and
wished TO pursue perfectly honorable
course.
The preparations for the marriage
went on up TO a late hour Thursday.
The contract was prepared by lawyer,
and previous to the time set for the
ceremony 1t was presented to DR.. Owens
TO sign. The course pursued seemed
TO that gentleman to saver rather
strongly of the practical, and in the
course of the conversation the impress
sion was conveyed that the marriage
would be conditional upon the signing
of the contract. DIR. Owens looked
upon this as an affront, and plainly
intimated that he considered such a
requirement an imputation upon his
honor; it was putting him in the light
of man whose word could not be
taken, even by the one whose conf
dence and trust should be implicit.
At the residence of Miss Wilgus and
her mother, on Fourteenth and Pine
Streets, the bridesmaids assembled, and
every thing was ready for the departure
for the church. Only the bridegroom
tarried. An attorney was sent in search
of him and found him seated in his
Office, coolly smoking cigar. He
quietly reiterated his position, declin-
ing to sign the contract under such cir
cumstances, although at the same time
declaring his willingness and intention
to leave the lady perfectly free as re-
gapied her property. The messenger
returned In the distracting conference
that followed, time slipped away. The
young lady was in the hands of her
friends, and they acted for her. Word
was sent TO the church Of an unavoida-
BILE postponement, the bridal veil and
orange blossoms were put side and the
bridesmaids went home. Not the least
awkward feature was the really grand
collection Of wedding gifts which had
been sent, in unusual profusion and
costliness, by the friends Of the young
couple. Society's conclusion is brief
but comprehensive 1T is very un-
fortunate; what are they going to do
about itp"-St. Louis Times.