The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-10-20
A NORTH CAROLINA MARRIAGE,

Soon after the close Of the last war Cap
tain X was appointed justice of the peace
in country place not far from Raleigh,
North Carolina.
His father had been a planter in q rather
small way, and his son the captain had &C
quired considerable experience in the busl-
ness 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 knowl'
edge, 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
home from Raleigh, he met a young wo.
man and two men, who hailed him and in
CURED 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 considered on all accounts
safest to have the ceremony performed
without delay, and try pacifcation after
ward
Now the captain had never witnessed a
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 mar
rage in it, but what the book was and
where it was he could not remember.
"Why," said he, when he told the story
afterward, 81 knew the 'Postles' Creed and
Commandments, and at first thought Id
use 'em to begin on, but then reckoned,
on the whole, they was too burned sol
emn."
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 remarked,
"Hats off in the presence of the court"
All being uncovered, he said, "Ill
swear you in fust of. Hold up yer RICH.
hands"
"Me too9" asked the friend of the
groom.
"Of course" said the captain, "all wit
nesses 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 nothin' but the truth,
selp you God. You John Marvin, do SOL
EMMY swear that to the best your knowl.
edge an beliefy you take this yer woman ter
have an ter hold tor yerself, yer heirs, ex.
ekyters, administrators, and assigns, for
your an their use an behoof forever"
II 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 that you are law
fully seized in fee-simple, are tree from all
incumbrance, and hev good right to sell,
bargain, and convey to the said grantee
yerself, yer heirs, administrators, and as.
signsl"
81 do" said the bride, rather doubt
fully.
well, john" said the captain, "that'll
be about dollar m fifty cents"
"Are we marrieds" asked the other.
"Not bya burned sight ye amt" quoth
the captain, with emphasis; shut the fee
comes here" After some fumbling it was
produced and handed to the court" who
examined it to make sure that it was all
right, and then pocke,ed it, and continued
know all men by presents, that |, Cap
tain \, Of Raleigh, North Carolina, being in
good health and Of sound and disposin
mind in consideration of dollar m fifty
cents to me IN hand paid, the receip,
wher' Of is hereby acknowledged, do and by