The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-16
An Embarrassing Mistake.
A BRIDEGROOM LOCKED IN A vEsTRY.RoOs
AND FATHER ALM0sT MARRIED To III
DAUGHTER.


BRIDEGROOM LOCKED IN A yEsTRY.EooM
AND FATHER ALM0sT MARRIED TO HIS
DAUGHTER.
philadelphia Press.I
Invitations were issued last week TO n
large number OF Philadelphia's best peo-
pie to be present at O'Clock in the after
noon ut the Church OF the Epiphany to
witness the marriage Of William Mitchell,
young gentleman well known in society,
TO Miss Fanny Elizabeth Kessler. the
daughter Of John Kessler, Jr. At the
hour named the spacious audience
room Of the church was crowded
10 OVERLOOKING. and the assemblage
was on the qui rire for the arrival OF
the bridal party. Presently there was a
whisper. which ran from the door to the
chaneel. that they had arrived. The rector
OF the church, the Rev. G. II. Kinsolying.
who was to perform the ceremony, stood
mp and advanced to the altar-railing, the
deep tones OF the organ pealcd forth Mem
delssohn's Wedding March, the doors OF
the centre aisle swung open. the six ushers
started slowly forward. and. following
them. came the blushing bride. attired in
travelling costume, leaning on the arm OF
her father, and with measured step the
procession moved up the aisle.
The wedding had been arranged in the
usual English style, and the bride was to be
met on the chancel steps by the groom at
tended by his best man. Eyes now turned
from the lady towards the door of the YES
try-r0om from which her prospective hus-
band was expected to emerge, but the door
was tightly closed and il gave no sign OF
opening. The ergan had ceased its muse,
father and daughter stood before the
altar, the ushers ranged on either side,
and yet no husband had come for
ward to claim his bride. The clergy
man evidently did not understand the stu
alton, though il was evident from the rus
tie of excitement which stirred the congre-
gated guests that they were only too well
aware that something was wrong The
bride turned pale. and the fathers face
grew scarlet in the suppressed excitement
OF the moment. The awkwlrdnesS OF the
situation was increased when, in solemn.
deliberate tones, Mr.. Kinsolving began to
read the marriage service as set down in
the ritual.
Dearly beloved" he read. ave are
gathered together here IN the sight Of God.
and in the face OF this company. to Join
together this man and this woman IN holy
matrimony." He had mistaken The father
for the groom, and was about to marry him
10 his own daughter. The excitement was
intense, and yet no one spoke, and the
clergyman proceeded. When ut length
he came to the words: q" II any man can
show just cause why they may not law
fully DE joined together let him now speak,
or else hereafter forever hold his peace"
there was noise outside, the door at the
foot OF the nave was thrown violently
open, aud Mr.. Mitchell. attended by his
best man, both nervous, excited. and pale
rs ghosts. came rushing up the aisle. \
few words suiiiccd to explain matters to
/ the aStonishcd clergyman. BY some means
the vestry-door bad been locked, and the
/ two gentlemen who were to play such inn
portant parts IN the scene about TO be en-
acted were thus prevented from making
their entrance when the organ gave them
their cue. In vain they bad tried to open
| it, and had lost valuable time in the effort.
( The church is n large one. and it is easily
understood how 1t took them several min
utes to get out OF the yestry, around the
side OF the building, up the high steps at
! the front, and IN at the other door. The
ceremony was recommended, and the we'd
ding was duly solemniZed without further
mishap.