The Republican journal., 1882-08-31
A Queer Matrimonial Experience.

The MillbanEl neighborhood is a prey
to excitement. One of the prettiest and
most popular bellies Of the country finds
herself married without having intended
to marry anybody,
This startling event occurred under
the following circumstances-the queer
est OF all incidents III the chapter Of ac-
cidents
\ picnic party at ''Annandale," the
residence of Judge AMMAN, Our popular
county official. \ beautiful autumn day
inspired every heart, and a picturesque
grove near the mansion had been &C.
lected as the scene Of the festivities.
Nothing could be more attractive than
the spectacle presented. The youths
and maidens We're seated in groups un-
der the brilliant foliage; hampers of edi-
bles were already uncovered under the
shadow of Il great oak, and the autumn
sunshine lit up gay scarts and curls and
laceS.
Miss Bel Annan-tor she was belle in
name as well as in reality-was engaged
in her customary amusement of flirting.
She was a lovely blonde, and devoted to
the occupation. No one had ever sue
ceeded in flirting with her At twenty
five, if you could believe her statement,
she was heart-whoe and impervious.
Her t0eman on this occasion was a fine
Young fellow called by his intlmates Ned
HAY. He was very much in love with
Miss Bel AMMAN, and everybody was
aware Of it. Hence general enjoyment
OF pt bp Iva.
were equally gay.
You people really ought to be mar
ried :" said satirical voice behind them.
And, turning around Mr.. Hay saw a
friend of his, Mr.. Lettwick, smiling With
grim expression. Mr. Leftwick has
been candidate for magistrate. and
the tares seemed unpropitious. The
election had taken place on the day be
fore and the returns indicated that his
opponent had been elected by 4 clear
majority.
IF had only had good luck | might
have married you to celebrate this fcs-
tive occasion"
Mr. Hay looked at his fair companion
and smiled.
Isn't it pity !" he said.
~ cs-l it IS really too bad SAID Miss
| Bel, with a dangerous glance.
at would be such novelty a we'd
ding at a picnic" said Mr. Hay.
IF agreeable" said Mr.. LeftWick,
will perform the ceremony for the gener-
| eral enjoyment"
| At a country picnic the eNtravagant is
the order of the day. The proposition
of Mr. Lettwick had been overheard by
| ~. /,
gathered around the group, besieged
Miss Amman and Mr.. Hay convinced
the latter promptly. Then the former
after a while; and it was announced to
the company in general that Mr.. Edward
Hay and Miss Isabel AMMAN were now
about to be married.
In ten minutes the whole gay company
had gathered beneath the oak some
wild flowers were improyised into a
wreath for the bride, and she presented
herself, leaning on Mr.. Hays arm and
modestly holding down her head moth
ING could be better
Mr., Lettwick, with deep solemnity,
performed his functions to the best of
his memory.
"If anybody can allege aught why this
marriage should not take place." said
! Mr.. LettWick, ''let him speak or forever
after hold his peace"
ado you, Edward Hay, take this hand
some young person for Your welded
wife Z"
"With pIeasure-I certainly do" said
Mr.. Hay
"And do you, Isabel Amman, take this
unfortunate victim Of your charms for
!
wick
eyes" said Miss Bel Amman, looking
! down with the appropriate air of timid
ity.
Then" said Mr., Leftwck, solemnly,
"by virtue of the authority vested in me
or which should have been vested in
meas a magistrate of this country.
pronounce you Edward Hay and you
| Isabel AMMAN 10 be man and wife Salute
your bride"
Mr.. Hay seemed willing, but Miss Bel
| promptly declined. She was blushing a
little the whole affair seemed so very
real. A few minutes atterward her
bushes had suddenly disappeared An
Old farmer riding by had called out:
"Ml. LettWick, congratulate YOU -
"Congratulate me ?"
"lou are elected a magistrate The
| Russell precincl was not heard from last
night, but the returns are now in. lou
are elected by thirty y-tiye majority"
'Elected,' exclaimed Mr.. Lettwick
Certainly, you are elected"
"Well, then, said Mr.. Leftwck, des-
perately, Give celebrated the event by
performing a marriage ceremony :"
The gay revelers stood looking at each
other in wild amazement, and Miss Bel
AMMAN was visibly trembling.
That young lady was now Mrs Hay.
No sooner had the incident at the pic
nic become generally known than it ere
ated the widest excitement. Every tea
table buzzed with it; every friend meet
ing Il friend asked what would be the re-
suit Were the young people really
married, or was it only a mock cere-
mony, having no actual significance
The Millbank neighborhood was turned
upside down.
The question was simply-fTad Mr.
Leftwick authority to marry anybody on
the day of the picnic? If he had that
authority the parties were married, for
they had consented, and he had pro-
\