The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-11-17

been on q visit to his many relatives i'm
Missouri, and would leave for his home
in the morning. He had made during
his visit hosts of friends by his Uniform
conduct as d gentleman. and gained
their respect by his attainments as a
scholar. On the morning of his de-
parture he called on Judge Bnckner.
who had been his partial host, to say
When do you leave, Harry ?" asked
the Judge.
II shall leave on the noon train"
| "You, alone ?" inquired his friend.
Yes, l. What DO you II mean uain ii"no'
."Dont you intend to take your wife
with Hu@.&
=" My wife?" said the startled Geor-
gian.
Yes" gravely answered the Judge,
"your wife, who was until last NIGHT
Miss Carrie Barton, and to whom YOU
were married by me then, at Mr.. Ken
toms party"
"Oh," laughed Harry, "that was all
fun; sham wedding, got up for little
amusement / thought you understood
1T as we all did. OF course I'll not take
my vito along, as I have no wife,"
." Harry" solemnly interposed the
magistrate, "you are as lawfully married
! as II our own Bishop had officiated, and
you, OF course, cannot go homo TODAY"
The young Southerner stood en-
tranced, chained to the spot. with eyes
dllated, and his breath suspended under
the influence Of surprise.
ooh, heaven!" he at length exclaimed
lis this true ?"
| invoke" returned the Judge. "In Mis-
souri, no marriage license is REQUIRED
| and all that the law asks is proof
to the satisfaction of the minis
ter or officer officiating that the
parties are of the requisite ape
and that no lawful impeachment exists
In this case [ had personal knowledge
that the law was satisfied, and now no
power on earth can separate you, except
divorce, to be granted by court of
efGGalpetHIt j., Jurisdiction, and you know
for a petition to that effect"
"Oh, mercy = exclaimed the really
unhappy gentleman, "what shall I do?
How shall : ever appear before Miss
Carre again She will think me con-
tederate III on outrage, though, Judge,
you know that L never dreamed of the
matter at all, except as o madcap frolic
of hers"
"That may be as you say" interrupt
ed tho magistrate; q" but don't call her
Miss Carrie unless you wish to give her
III future that term of endearment In
truth, Harry, ought to have refused to
have solemnized this marriage. L in
ten tended 4no to carry on the joke for a while,
your tritiing with the law and your con-
tempt for one of the highest ordinances
OF our church. But, as [ proceeded, I
thought that you were eminently fitted
Tor each other. You had told me how
madly you loved that noble and beauti-
ful girl, Perhaps [ ought to have seold.
eel you both, but who can scold that
mHdcap saint ? No, Harry, you must
roman here and try to persuade your
VIE to love you. On my word, my dear
h"y. L warmly congratulate you on the
result OK this silly frOlic, but think that
you will have some trouble in the mat
ter of her consent"
Well, Judge, Of course I shall re-
mann here, but what do you advise me
to do ?" said the bridegroom, while his
cheek flushed with hope wondrously
mingled with fear.
81 will call on Carrie" replied Judge
Buckner, "explain to her the situation
OF things, and ask for you an interview"
Tue TO his word, the magistrate called
on Carrie. When they were seated in
her mothers parlor he turned to her
gravely:
Carrie, L bring you some news that
perhaps you may consider unwelcome."
1" Is my mother ill?" asked the ex-
cited girl.
"No."
g Is my uncle, my guardian, well ?"
Yes fortunately have no death
news; but como to you to speak of
that wild freak of yours last night"
"Whnt frcak?" inquired the artle3s
girl, in whose memory there fingered
very little trace of wrong that de-
served scold.
"Your marriage" said her friend.
What that sham ceremony ?"
and the merry girls face lit up with
ripping laughter. "WelI, what of it?"
{" 1t is no sham marriage, Carrie, but
you have bound yourself by tie that
the law pronounces indissoluble"
Impossible " replied the girl.
Why, Judge, you knew that it was all
in fun, and L am sure no law, human or
divine, will recognize q tie that was
simply the creature of the merest sport.
L expected q scold, put ala noT expect
you to look so grave about it.
:'You remember, Carrie, that your re-
plies to my questions were given in
words that implied, nay, expressed,
your fullest consent that you both were
of lawful age to be married that no
legal impediment existed, and that real
ly the parties are very well suited.
Now"
The face OF the poor girl had flushed
and paled alternately during the delivery
of this address. Suddenly springing to
her feet, she interrupted the official and
exclaimed in loud tone and with flash
ing eye, but with extreme dignity
"And dare you say this to me2 Have
--o.. lo.,L L. n: