The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-11-26

, bers of their families should be abl
to distinguish them, but their won
derful likeness still causes perplexit,
in their large circle of acquaintsnces
A Strange Wedding Fec.
Many years ago, New York min
lister was waiting in the Office of |
lawyer who was one of his members
chatting on various subjects and a
the minister happened to speak of to-
hard times, and dilatoriness OF th'
church in paying his salary, the law
yer remarked:
"Now, l hardly agree with you
pastor, in your assertion that minis
ters are paid less for their work thar
any other class OF professional men
They have great deal given thea
in one way or another, donation par
ties, Christmas presents, etc. Their
the item OF wedding fees, which yor
seldom hear them speak about bu
which must amount to several hun
dred dollars in the course # tht
year brings them in q good revenue.
DO you think so ~ said the cler
gyman. Now come right down t.
dots, what do you think is the aver
age fee | receive 2"
81 should say twenty dollars wai
low estimate" said the lawyer
Here in New York L have otter
known persons to give one hundred
dollars, and a fifty dollar fee is quite
common, but considering the fact you
marry good many peDr, or those
who are moderately well off, as well
az the rich, should think, as | said
that twenty dollars was pretty low
average
THAT calculation is rather large, ,
said the minister, "but still | cannOi
tell exactly ell ] have received thi;
YEAR"
81 presume not" said the lawyer
81 have noticed that ministers don'i
generally know how much they have
received, when the sum is pretty
large, but rather think they would il
il were small one But will give
you ten dollars for your next fee, and
l do not believe that | shall lose
anything by il either Do you accept
of that 2"
The minister hesitated moment
and then said "Yes-well, yes; III
accept tbat-ien dollars for bali The
next fee"
He sovn bade him coed morning
snd went 10 his dinner. While be
sat at ne table the bell rang, and the
serva-L came in saying man d! the
door wished to see him moment
He found q rough-looking farmer
standing there, wao accosted him
thus:
GOOD morning, DR.. A. | come 10
to see if you conld just tie me up this
morning Sal and i have been talk
ing about it q good while, and we've
come to the conclusion that tain, any
use 10 wait longer"
sob, yes, replied the doctor, wals
in. Where do you want to be mar
ried 2"
Right here" said the farmer, III
you're willin'"
So be brought 10 q blooming coun.
try maid, ana the minister, who had
dofed bis gown and slipped on his
best coat, made them one IN the most
impressive style. After the cere-
mony and the congratulations the
farmer said:
"Abou, the fee, minister, We haint
got much money, but We thought
perhaps your children might be fond
OF purps-"
Saying which be tipped Up a small
box, and out rolled little white pup
on the piano.
The minister could scarcely con-
tain his mirth, but thanked the bride
groom and told him the children
would be glad of it, and bade him q
pleasant good morning. He finished
his dinner, then putting the pup back
in the box, be started with il for the
lawyers office
His friend was quite surprised TO
see him so soon again, bot the pas
tor, however, relieved bis curiosity
by saying:
IL had no idea when | accepted
your offer this morning that should
have come so soon TO claim IL; out |
hardly think | should have accepted
it SO quickly. had known | had to
marry couple to day, and receive
such sn unusual and unexpected fec
Generally there is not much difference
in them, but this perfect surprise to
me-"
NO backing out now" said the
lawyer; that bargain was fair and
square, and you must hold tD il.
Here's your ten dollars; hand over
the fee."
The minister demurred q moment,
aud told him be should beware how
ne made rash promises again but
finally unfsstening the cover Of the
box, said: "All right, III stand by
the bargain" tumbled out the pup on
the lawyers desk, and with the bland.
est smile upon his face. be said
Here is the fee, which half will you
lake ?''
You don't mean it-:ha, you mar
ried couple and that was your
fee ~
Indeed il was," said the minister,
"and the man who presented it tho.
be was doing handsome thing
Then with hearty laugh the law
yer handed him gold piece, and
told him that he hsd nothing more to
say about enriehing ministers BY
wedding fees.