The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-01-25
A PIONEER WEDDING.
Married by Blush1ng Squire Who
Swears Them On N Euchre Deck.

DdUs CTeeH lMtch'l COR W INC inter ocean,
A returned party of deer hunters of this
city, who had been in the upper peninsula,
relate the following account of character
istic wedding among the settlers, of which
they were eye-witnesses, after 'logging
bee." The young man had taken up a
! homestead 'amid the death-like solitude, "
had cleared off a small patch, and with the
assistance of his scattered neighbors, some
of whom had come from distance of
eight and ten miles, had erected a log
cabin, and while these same neighbors were
there, having general good time and a
''house-warming, he was 10 take to him
self in his new home bride. They came
in tho heavy lumber-wagon driven by
oxen, from the nearest station, twenty-five
miles distant-a sort of preliminary bridal
tour-to their new home, where the sturdy
yeomen and their wives had collected from
far and near TO witness the unusual sight
of the first wedding in that county. A
minister to tie the connubial knot was not
to be found in that unchrstianized region,
and the person selected to perform the
ceremony was the Justice of the Peace, a
very young man-who had not been
selected TO fill that judicial position with
regard to his knowledge or qualifications
for the office, but "because he had such
sedate and solemn way" He was brought
there without knowing for what purpose,
until after his arrival, and when told he re-
monstrated. ''Now, boys, can't do it; |
don't know how; never married a couple |
in my life" But his objections were
silenced when told that he was the only
legally authorized person around there;
that minister was m unheard-of luxury,
and could not be had for love or money.
One or two of the married men present got |
the young justice off into a, corner of the
room, and gave him some instructions in
regard to the ceremony from their own
past experience. Then the ceremony be-
gan.
''Now, then," said his Honor, ''stand
,p.'
They stood up, and the company gathered
closely around, like "ring" at a prize
light of pugilists, with eyes open and gaps
ng mouth, determined not to lose any of
he ''show." Il
Then, turning to his elder informant,
he bewildered youth asked, soto voice,
What next?" After receiving satisfactory
he again addressed himself to
he happy couple.
''Jine hands-your right hands" Again /
e was at losn, but, doubtless resolved to {
rave it through, he extemporized his '
ervice
81 spose you've greed to git married." /
''Y-a-as," in chorus. t
The visitors getting interested, crowded t
carer; the bridegroom, rather frustrated, I
ost his hold, and as awkward silence t
Ollowed. Then the justice: {
''If any mans got any reason why they q
ant git married, let him mind his own t
usiness. Now, John, hold up your right a
on; git Bible to swear on. :" I
A Bible could not be found, and pack
euchre cards were finally selected to f
nswer. With their left hands on these q
nd their right uplifted, he swore them in. |
''Do you solemnly swear to stand by v
,ch other through thick and thin?'
Not exactly understanding the nature of S
''solemn swear" the bride blushingly q
,swered, 81 will, by jingo!" while the b
.oom, not so delicate in his vernacular, A
louted in stentorian tones, "You bet I "
i'll, by Cd" il
''Then," said the justice, in his most "
lemn tones, ''by the Great Jehovah and @
e Continental Congress, I say you're G.
arried!" W