Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-10-27
A North Carolina Marriage


Captain X was appointed justice of
the peace IN a country place not far
from Raleigh. North Carolina.
His father had been a planter in
small way, and his son the captain had
acquired considerable experience in the
business of managing real estate, draw
ing up deeds, etc., during the fathers
lifetime, and then in settling the estate
after bis decease. Further thaa this he
had DO legal knowledge, and indeed, his
entire stock Of 'book-learning' was
small and poorly selected, but any lack
IN general information was fully made
up, for his uses, by self~assortion. Late
one afternoon, as was ridding home
from Raleigh, he met young woman
and two men, who hailed HIM and in
quired If he was Captain 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, and swore that they
should never be married. 1t was con-
sldered on all accounts safest TO have
the ceremony performed without delay,
and try paciGcation afterward.
Now the captain had never witnessed
marriage, aud naturally had no very
clear idea of what was usual in such
cases. He remembered having seen a
book about the house years before with
form for marriage in it, but what the
book was and where it was he could
not remember.
why said he, when he told the
story afterward, Il knew the 'Postles
Creed aud Comman dments, and at frst
| thought I'd use 'em to begin on, but
then l reckoued, on the whole, they
was too burned solemn
He asked the couple to come TO hi;
house, secretly hoping that he could
find that book; but they declined, fol
the reason that the matter admitted o.
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 of in the presence Of the
court All being uncovered, he said
III swear you in fust of. Hold VI
yer right hands.
Me too?' asked the friend Of the
groom.
'Of course said the captain, al
witnesses must be sworn. You anC
each of you solemnly swear that the
evidence you shall give in this cast
shall give in this case shall be the truth
th' 'ole truth. an nothin' but the truth
s'elp you God. You, John Marvin, dc
solemnly swear that to the best of youl
knowledge an belief you take this yeI
woman ter have an ter hold for Yerselt
yer heirs, exekyerters, administrators
and assigns, for your am their use an
behoof, administrators, and assigns. fol-
your an their use an behoof forever?'
Il do,' answered the groom.
You, Alice Ever, take this yer man
for yer husband, ter hev an ter hold
forever; and you do further swear thai
you are lawfully seized in fee-simple,
are free from all incumlrance, and hey
good right TO sell, bargain, and convey
to the said grantee yerself yer heirs
administrators, and assignss'
1 do said the BRIDE, rather doubt
fully.
Well, John, said the captain, 'thapl
be about dollar m fifty CENTS
Are we married p asked the other
/ Not by burned sight ye amt,
quoth the captain, with emphasis; 'bu'
! the fee comes an here After some
iumbllng it was produced and handed tc
the Court who examined 1t 10 make
-sure that it was all right, and then
pocketed it, and continued: Know al
men by these presents, that l, Captain
X, OF Raleigh, North Carolina, being in
good health and Of sound and dlsposln'
mind, in consideration of dollar "a
fifty cents to me in hand paid, the re-
ceipt whereof Is hereby acknowledged
do and by these presents have declared
you man and wife durIng.good behavior
and until otherwise ordered by tho
court
The men put on their hats again, tht
young couple, after shaking theil
benefactor's hand, went on to meei
their destiny and the irate father, while
the captain rode home richer in ex
perience. -Harpar's Magazine.