The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-11-05

Capt y was appointed Justice OF
the Peace ina country place not far
from Raleigh, North Carolina.
His father had been planter 10 a
rather small way, and his son, the
captain, had acquired considerable ex.
perience in the business Of managing
real estate, drawing up deeds, etc,
during the 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
aud poorly selected, but any lack in
general information was fully made
up, for his uses, by selfassertion.
Late one afternoon, as he was riding
home from Raleigh, he met a young
woman and two men, who hailed him
and inquired if be was Captain y.
The young woman and one OF the men
wished to be married at once. The
other had come ms witness. They
had procured the necessary license,
but an irate father was on their path,
and swore that they should never be
married. Ii was considered on all ac-
counts safest to have the ceremony
performed without delay, aud try psci-
ication afierward.
Now the captain had never witness
ell marriage, and naturally had no
very clear idea Of what was usual in
such cases. lie remembered having
seen book about the house years be-
fore with a form for marriage in it,
but what the book was and where il
was be could not remember.
"Why," said he, when he told the
story afterward, IL knew the 'Postles'
Greed and Commandments, and at
first | thought Ia use EN- to begin on.
but then reckoned, on the whole,
they was too burned solemn. "
lie 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. lie lost
no time in removing his bat, and re-
marked "lIats of in the presence Of
the Court" All being uncovered, he
said an swear you in fust oil.
Hold up yer right hands"
"Me, too ?" 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, sn'
nothin' but the truth, selp you God.
You, John Marvin, do solemnly swear
that to the best of your knowledge
an belief you take this yer woman ter
have an ter hold for yerself,yer heirs,
exekyerters, administrators and as
signs, for your an their use an be-
hoof forevery'
"l do" answered the groom.
"You, Alice Ever. take this yer
man for yer husband, ter have and ter
hold forever; and you do further swear
that you are lawfully seized in fee
simple, are free from all incumbrance
an have good right to sell, bargain
and convey to the .aid grantee yer
self, yer heirs, administrators and as
signs ?"
81 do, said the bride, rather doubt
fully.
"Well, john" said the captain,
"ihatll be about a dollar'n fifty cents.
"Are we married 2" asked the other.
"Not by a burned sight yer amt,
quoth the captain, with emphasis, "bui
he fee comes in here" After some
fumbling it was produced and handed
to the Court" who examined it to
make sure that il was all right, and
then pocketed it, and continued
"Know all men by these presents,
that /, Captain y, OF Raleigh, North
Carolina, being in good health and
sound and disposin' mind, in consider
alton OF a dollar n fifty cents to me
in hand paid, the receipt whereof il
hereby acknowledged, do and by thes'
presents have declared you man an
wife during good beheyior, and until
otherwise ordered by the Court"
The men put on their hats again
the young couple, after shaking their
! benefactor's hand, went ON TO NEE
, their destiny and the irate father
: while the captain rode home richer il
experience. - Editors Drawer, il
, IIarper's Magazine for Nov.
I member OF the Lime.kiln Gu