The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1880-10-21
A NORTH CAROLINA MARRIAGE.

A NORTH CAROLINA MARRIAGE
Soon after the close of the las
war Captain X was appointed a jus
tice of the peace III country place
not far from Raleigh, North Caro-.
lima.
His father had been planter 10 q
rather small way, and his son the
captaiu had acquired considerable
experience 10 the business of man
aging 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 and poorly selected, but any
lack in general information was fully
made up, for his uses, by self-asser-
ton. Late one afternoon, as he was
riding from Raleigh, he met a young
woman and two men, who hailed
him and inquired if he was Captain
X. The young woman and one of
the men wished to be married at
once. The other had come as a
witness. They had procured the
necessary license, but an irate faith
er was on their path, and swore that
they should never be married. 1t
was considered on all accounts safest
to have the ceremony performed
without delay, and try paci6cation
afterward.
Now the captain had never witt
messed a marriage, and naturally
had no very clear idea of what was
usual in such cases. He remember
ed having seen 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 and Commandment, and at
first thought | use EN- to begin on,
but then | 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 j; but they de-
clined for the reason that the matter
admitted of no delay.
A less assured man would have
been sorely perplexed, but not be.
He lost no time in removing his hat,
and remarked Hats off in the pres
ence of the court. All being un>
covered, he said, I'll swear you in
fust off. Hold up yer right hands,
ME too9' asked the friend Of the
groom.
'Of course, said the captain, an
witnesses must be sworn. You and
each of you solemnly swear that the
evidence you shall give in this case
shall be the truth, the whole truth,
an nothin' but the truth, s'elp you
God. You, John Marvin, do sol
EMMY 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, sd
ministrators, and assigns, for your
an their use an behoof forever p
Il do answered the groom.
you, Alice Ever, take this man
for yer husband, to hev an ter hold
forever; and you do further swear
that you are lawfully seized in fee
simple, are free from all incum
brance, and hev good right to sell,
bargain aud convey to the said
grantee yerself, yer heirs, admins
traitors, and assigns p
Il do said the bride, rather doubt
fully.
We'll, Jobn,' said the captain,
'that'Il be about a dollar and 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 fumbliog it was produced and
handed to the Court, who examined
it to make sure that it was all right,
and then pocketed it, and continued {:
Know all men by these presents,
that l, Captain X, of Raleigh, North
Carolina, being in good health and
sound and disposin' mind, 10 consid-
Grafton of dollar N fifty cents to
me in hand paid, the receipt whore.
of is hereby acknowledged, do and
by these presents have declared you
man aud wife during good behavior,
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 meet
their destiny and the irate father
while the captain rode home richer
in experience.
Two convicts have been discharg'
ed from the Ontario State prison
after serving two years, because o
updoubted proof that they were in