Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-04-20

conduct as gentleman, and gained
their respect 10y his attainments as a
scholar. On the morning of his de-
parture he called on Judge Buckner,
who had been his partial host, to say
farewell.
"When do you leave, Harry % asked
the Judge.
81 shall leave on the noon train ,"
"You, alone % inquired his friend.
eyes, /. What do you mean"
Don't you intend to take your wife
with your
"My wife," said the startled Geor-
gian.
eyes," 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
iun; sham wedding; got up for lit
tie amusement. | thought you under
stood it as we all did. OF course | will
not take my wife along, as | have no
wife,"
Harry" solemnly interposeI the
magistrate, "you are as lawfully mar
ried as if our own Bishop had officiat-
ed, and you,of course, cannot go home
o-day."
The young Southerner stood entranc-
ed, chained to the spot, with eyes dilat-
ed, and his breath suspended under the
influence Of surprise.
ooh, heaven |" he at length exclaim-
ed, "is this true?'
GAS true, Harry, as the heaven you
invoke" returned the Judge. SIN Mis-
souri, no marriage license is required,
and all the law asks is proof to the sat-
isfaction of the minister or officer offic-
iating that the parties are of the requis-
lite age, and that no lawful impediment
exists. In this case | had personal
knowledge that the law was satisfied,
and now no power on earth can sepa-
rate you, except divorce, to be grant
ed by a court Of competent jurisdic-
ton, and you know that neither of you
has sufficient ground for petition to
that effect"
"Oh, mercyl' exclaimed the really
unhappy gentleman, what shall / do?
How shall ever appear before Miss
Carrie again? She will think me con-
federate in an outrage, though Judge,
you know that never dreamed of the
matter at all, except as made up
frolic of hers"
THAT may be as you say" interrupt
ed the magistrate; "but don't call her
Miss Carrie unless you wish to give her
in future that term or endearment. In
truth, Harry, ought to have refused
TO solemnize this marriage. intended
to carry on the joke for while, aud
then scold you both for your trifling
with the law and your contempt for
one of the highest ordinances OF our
church. But, AS proceeded, l thought
that YOU were eminently fitted for each
other. You had told me how madly
you loved that noble and beautiful girl.
Perhaps | ought to have scolded you
both, but who can scold that madcap
saint? No, Harry, you must remain
here and try to persuade your wife to
love you. On my word, my dear boy, |
warmly congratulate you on the result
of this silly frolic, but think that you
will have some trouble in the matter
of her consent"
"Well, Judge, of course | shall re-
main 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 stu alton
of things, and ask for you an inter-
view"
True to his word, the magistrate call
ed on Carrie. When they were seated
in her mothers parlor he turned to her
gravely:
Carrie, | bring you some news that
perhaps you may consider unwelcome.
as my mother IL" asked the excit-
ed girl.
"No.r
SIS my uncle, my guardian, well?'
Eyes; fortunately | have no death
news; but | come to you to speak Of
that wild freak of yours last night
what freak?" inquired the artless
girl, in whose memory there fingered
very little trace of a wrong that deserved
a scold.
"Your marriage" said her friend
"What, that sham ceremony and
tliS hieIlS Sli . iaNc hb u Will II piAhs
laughter. well, what of is?"
at is no sham marriage, Carrie, bu,
you have bound yourself by tie that
the lsw pronomlces indissoluble.
Impossible = replied the girl. 'Why
Judge, you knew that it was all in fun
and ] am sure 10 law, human or divine
will recognize a tie that was simply the
creature of the merest sport. | cx,
pected scold, but | did not expect you
to look so grave about it."
you remember, Carrie, that youl
replies to my questions were given il
words that Implied, nay, expressed
your fullest consent; that you both
were of lawful age to be married; thai
no legal impeachment existed, and tha
really the parties are very well suited
| Now"
The face of the poor girl had flush &c
and paled alternately during the deliv
cry Of this address. suddenly spring
ing to her feet, she interrupted the oth
cial and exclaimed in loud tone anC
with flashing eye, but with extreme
dignity: