Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-11-26
A North Carolina Marriage,

/ NJ NNNA OsA'sA -'AohA HSSs
! Soon after the close of the late war
Captain y was appointed justice of
the peace in country place not far
from Raleigh, North Carolina.
His father had been planter in a
rather small way, and his son, the cap.
tain had acquired considerable exper-
fence in the business of managing real
estate, drawing up deeds, etc., during
the fathers lifetime. and then in set
Ting the estate after his decease.
Further than this he had no legal
knowledge. and, indeed, his entire stock
OF book-learning" was small and poor
ly selected, but any lack in general in
formation was fully made up, for his
uses, by self-assertion. Late one after
noon, as he was riding home from Raj.
eigh. he met young woman and two
men, who hailed him and inquired if
he was Captain y. The young woman
and one Of the men wished to be mar.
ried at once. The other had come as a
witness. They had procured the nee
essary license, but an irate father was
on their path, and swore that they
should never be married. 1t was con-
| sidered on all accounts safest to have
the ceremony performed without delay,
and try pacifcation afterwards.
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 q
book about the house years before with
form Of 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, l knew the 'Postles'
Creed and Commandments, and at first
thought I'd use EN- to begin on, but
then I 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
Nc time in removing his nat, and re-
marked "Hats off in the presence Of
the Court" All being uncovered, he
said "Ill swear you in fust Off. Hold
up your 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 evil
dence you shall give in this case shall
be the truth, tn ole truth, an nothin'
but the truth, s'elp you God. You,
John Marvin, do solemnly swear that
to the best OF your knowledge an be-
lief you take this yer woman ter have
and ter hold for yerself, yer heirs, ex-
ekyerters, administrators, and assigns,
for your an their use an behoof for
ever?"
IL do" answered the groom.
"You, Alice Ever, take this yer man
for yer husband, to hev an ter hold
forever; and you do further swear that
you are lawfully seized in fee. Bimple,
are free from all incumbrance. and hev
good right to sell. bargain and convey
to the said grantee yerself, yer heirs,
administrators nd.assigns p
Il do" said the bride, rather doubt
fully.
swell, john" said the captain,
that'll be dollar N fifty cents"
care we married ?" asked the other.
Not by burned sight ye amt"
quoth the captain, with emphasis; "but
| Tie fee comes in here" After some FUN
bling it was produced and handed to the
SCOUT" who examined it to make sure
that it was all right. and then pocketed
it and continued: "Know all men by
these presents, 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 re-
ceipt whereof is hereby acknowledged,
do, and by these presents have de-
clared 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.
-ED1roR's DRAWER, in Harper'S Mag
.y>iuo