Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-12-15
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.

wedding tllt IIIHl. t'A iiic way. III
which | was ever called to Oi1iciatp.
1t wa-. therefore. an event in my
ministerial life: and It's pecuiiaritits
are the more firmly stamped upon
INV mind. Oh. We fair votarics of
the romantic and sentimental. who
have invested the hallowcI wedding
dav and wedding service with as>o
Citations of tn, most clevating and
interesting character: with whom
the charm Of married life would be
painfully broken if it lacked a fair
and allurIny outset: who see secret
visions Of bridesmaids and brides
men. and floating wells and an august
ceremony. | pray you read this little
tale of unadorned reality. and smile
OF shudder as you may.
In the year 1910. | was sitting at
my table. on Il Sabbath afternoon,
subsequent to the public service,
preparing myself for the duties of
the evening. 1t was in the month of
April, and while thus engaged, |
heard the door bell ring. When l
opened it, a man presented himself,
whose flushed face, heavy eyes. and,
above all. the fumes of spirits assail-
ing me from his breath, were con
vincing evidences of partial intoxi-
cation. He saluted me very courtc-
ously. and Immediately announced
his errand.
Can you come down street little
way, and marry a couple friends of
mine? I'll tell you how it is. They
were published by Mr.. Jones, and
expected, of course, to have him marry
'em, but when l came up arter i'm, [
found he'd gone out of the city to
preach; and the minister that
breaches for him is from Massachu-
setts, and can't marry 'em. So 1
thought I wouldn't disappoint 'em
SO much as to go back with nobody,
seeing they're all rugged and ready,
and calculating on the matter-so l
stopped to get you to go. suppose
you can tie 'em as tight as Mr.. Jones
could?"
Il suppose 1 can tie them fast
enough" said L." and if they would
be disappointed at delay, will be
happy to go with you"
"Yes, they would" he replied;
''for they've set their hearts on having
the thing come off this afternoon, and
no mistake"
II will be ready in moment"
said I.
We were speedily on our way up
the street. My chaperon was sufti-
ciently talkative, and had knowing
wink for one and another of his ac-
quaintances whom we passed at the
corners. We soon turned into a by
lane, and 1 was conducted to the
house-a low, onestory tenement of
humble pretensions, over the door of
which was the sign, "Abram Wat
kins, shoemaker"
Passing through a narrow entry, l
entered small apartment, the most
prominent object in which was cook
ing-stove that occupied the centre.
Around, against the wall, We're seated
sundry men and women of all ages,
who received me with no testimonial
of courteous greeting, unless steady
and expressive stare may be so con-
sidered This created feeling OF
sympathetic astonishment in my own
mind, until 1 interpreted it to be in
consequence or expectation to see
Mr.. Jones. and wonder that l should
apparently have usurped his func-
tions; so I quietly seated myself i'll a
vacant chair, and was no sooner set
tied comfortably down than l saw
my chaperon thrust his countenance
wearing very significant expires
sion-through a crack of the door,
which he carefully held ajar. and
beckon to one or more to come out
to him.
Thereupon men and women started
to their feet and rushed into the en-
try. The only one who remained
was an old fellow in the further cor
ner. He did not move from his po-
sition all the while that was in the
house. but sat with his hands inter
locked above his head, on which he
wore a dilapidated fur cap. and his
feet perched upon the rundle OF his
chair, that was tilted back, at an
angle of forty five degrees, against
the wall.
The door was closed behind the re
treating party, but could hear from
the entry the progress of most earn
est confab. carried on in whispers
Thus some ten minutes elapsed, the
old fellow in the corner remaining al
the time as mute as the black fea
tured stove between us, whose
pipe / had to dodge to get a good
look at him.
Finally, swing went the door, and
the posse once more marched into
the same seats which they had vaca
ted. The industrious individual
who had first enlisted my services on
this romantic occasion, and who
seemed to act as master of ceremo
MES. then came beside me and said
well. elder, 1 guess we're all
ready to go ahead. That here he
pointed with his fingers toward a
very pretty girl of sixteen CT seven
teen dressed in tawrdy tinery, who
sat twirling her fingers by one of the
windows -" that is the woman, and
that is the man."
His finger. as he pronounced the
last words, rested in the direction OF
the old fellow in the corner. Well,
thought l, if these are the parties,
there is something wrong here,and l
shall decline to oificiate But before
my ideas on the matter had time to
assume Il definite shape. the master
OF ceremonies burst into a loud
laugh.
"No-no," said he mot he. Fact.
l must be little blind this after
noon, or else it is precious dark here.
No-that's the man." and he laid his
hand on the shoulder OF a youth be-
Side him, the most attractive in looks
and manners of all the group.
At this stage of the proceedings l