The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-11-02
A CoMIcAL WEDDING.

A'OOAN HitCN btAO OiOHt VI bnO Atob Wui
- Captain X. was appointed u justice
OF the peace In n county place not far
from Raleigh, North Carolina.
His father had been planter In
rather small way, and his son the cap
tain had acquired considerable expert
ence Ia the business OF managing real
estate, drawing up deeds, etc., during
his fathers lifetime, and then In settling
the estate after his decease. Further
than this he had no legal knowledge,
and, indeed, his entire stock of "book-
learning" was small and poorly select
ed, but any lack In general information
was fully made up, for his uses, by self
assertion. Late one afternoon, as he
was riding home from Raleigh, he met
young woman and two men, who
hailed him and inquired If he was Cap
tain X. The young woman and one of
the men wished to be married at once.
The other had come as witness. They
had procured the necessary license, but
an irate father was on their path, aud
swore that they should never be mar
ried. 1t was considered on all accounts
safest to have the ceremony performed
without delay, and try pacification after
ward.
Now the captain had never witnessed
marriage, and naturally had no very
clear idea of what was usual in such
cases.. He remembered having seen
book about the house years before with
form for marriage in IL, but what the
book was and where 1t was he could not
remember.
Why" said he, when he told the
story afterward, 81 knew the 'Postles
Greed and Commandments, and at first
l thought I'D use 'em to begin on, but
then l reckoned, on the whole, they was
too burned solemn"
He asked the couple to come to his
house, secretly hoping that he could
find that book; but they declined, for
the reason that the matter admitted of
no delay.
A less assured man would have been
sorely perplexed, but not he. He lost
no time in removing his hat, and re-
marked, Hats off in the presence of
the court" All being uncovered, he
said, I'll swear you in fust off. Hold
up yer right hands"
Me too 2" asked the friend of the
groom.
"Of course" said the captain, "all
witnesses must be sworn. You and each
of you solemnly swear that the evidence
you shall give in this case shall be the
truth, tn 'ole truth, an nothing but
the truth, s'elp you God. You, John
Mervin, do solemnly swear that to the
best of your knowledge an belief you
take this yer woman to have an ter
hold for yerself, yer heirs, exekyerters,
administrators, and assigns, for your
an their use an behoof forever y'
" 1 do" answered the groom.
" You, Alice Ever, take this yer man
for yer husband, ter hev an, ter hold
forever; and do you further swear that
you are lawfully seized in fee-simple, are
free from all incumberance, and have
good right to sell, bargain and convey
to the said grantee yerself, yer heirs,
administrators and assigns ?p
81 do" said the bride, rather doubt
fully.
We'll, John,'' said the captain,
"that'll be about dollar'n fifty cents"
"Are we married ?" asked the other.
Not by burned sight ye amt"
quoth the captain, with emphasis; "but
the fee comes IN here" After some
fumbling 1t was produced and handed to
the Court" who examined 1t to make
sure 1t was all right, and then pocketed
it and continued: "Know all men by
these present, that I, Captain X. of
Raleigh, North Carolina, being in good
health and of sound and disposin' mind,
in consideration of dollar'n fifty cents
to me in hand paid, the receipt whereof
is hereby acknowledged, do and by these
present have declared you man and
wife during good behavior, and until
otherwise ordered by the court.''
The men put on their hats again, the
young couple, after shaking their bene-
factors hand, went ON to meet their
destiny and the irate father, while the
captain rode home richer in experience.
Why Should They.