Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1882-12-09
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.

THE FIRST MARRIAGE.
| am about to relate incidents of {
wedding-the first, by the way, al
which | was ever called to officiate
1t was, therefore, an event in my
ministerial life; and its peculiarities
are the more firmly stamped upon
my mind. Oh, we fair votaries OF
the romantic and sentimental, who
have invested the hallowed wedding
day and wedding service with asso
Citations of the most eleyating and
interesting character; with whom
the charm of married life would be
painfully broken if it lacked fair
and alluring outset; who see secret
visions OF bridesmaids and brides
men, and floating wells and an august
ceremony, L pray you read this little
tale of unadorned reality, and smile
or shudGer as you may.
In the year 1910, L was sitting at
my table, on "a 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, l
heard the door bell ring. When l
opened it, 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 courte-
ously, and Immediately announced
his errand.
"Can you come down street little
way, and marry q 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 came up arter i'm, L
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 l
thought l 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. l suppose
you can tie 'em as tight as Mr.. Jones
could"
Il suppose / can tie them fast
enough" said L.: " and if they would
be disappointed at delay, will he
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 1.
We were speedily on our way mp
the street. My chaperon was suifi-
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 | was conducted to the
house low, one-story tenement of
humble pretensions, over the door OF
which was the sign, "Abram Wat
kins, shoemaker"
Passing through narrow entry, l
entered a 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 a steady
and expressive stare may be so con-
sidered. This created feeling OF
sympathetic astonishment in my own
mind, until l interpreted it to be in
consequence or expectation to see
Mr.. Jones and wonder that should
apparently have usurped his func-
tions; SO l quietly seated myself in a
vacant chair, and was no sooner set
tied comfortably down than l saw
my chaperon thrust his countenance
wearing very significant express
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 ht
wore dilapidated fur cap, and his
feet perched upon the rundle of his
chair, that was tilted back, at al
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, thu
old fellow in the corner remaining al
the time as mute rs the black-fea
tured stove between us, whose
pipe had to dodge to get goo(
look at him.
Finally, swing went the door, ant
the posse once more marched int,
the same seats which they had vaca
ted. The Industrious individual
who had first enlisted my services OF
this romantic occasion, and VIII
seemed to act as master of ceremo
MES, then came beside me and said
"Well. elder, I guess we're al
ready to go ahead. That here h
pointed with his fingers toward
very pretty girl of sixteen or seven
teen dressed in tawrdy finery, win
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