Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-01-22
An Embarrassing Mistake.
A BRIDEGROOM LICKED IN vESTRY-ROOM
AND A FATHER ALMOST MARRIED TO HIS
DAUGHTER


A BRIDEGROOM LICKED IN vEsTRY-ROOM
AND FATHER ALMOST MARRIED TO HIS
DAUGHTER.
Philadelphia Press.
Invitations were issued last week to a
large number Of Philadelphia's best people
to be present at Al O'Clock in the afternoon
at the Church Of the Epiphany to witness
the marriage of William Mitchell, a young
gentleman well known in society, to Miss
Fanny Elizabeth Kessler, the daughter Of
John Kessler, il. At the hour named the
spacious audience loom of the church was
crowded to overlooking, and the assemblage
was on the qui eide for the arrival of the
bridal party. Presently there was whis-
per, which ran from the deor to the chancel,
that they had arri9ed. The rector Of the
church, the Rev. e.. H. Kinsolving who
was to perform the ceremony, stood up and
advanced to the altar-railing, the deep tones
of the organ pealed forth Mendelss
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-room from which her prospective hus-
band was expected to emerge, but the door
was tightly closed and it gave no sign of
opening. The organ had ceased its music,
father and daughter stood before the altar,
the ushers ranged on either side, and yet
no husband had come forward to claim his
bride. The clergyman evidently did not
understand the situation, though it was
evident from the rustic of excitement which
stirred The congregated guests that they were
too well aware that something was wrong,
The bride turhed pale, and the father !
face grew scarlet in sha suppressed excite
ment of the moment. The awky Ardness of
the situation was increased wheE, in solemn,
deliberate tones, Mr.. Kinsolving, began to
read the marriage service as set down in the
ritual.
Clearly beloved" he read, 1--WE aregath-
cred 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 to his own daughter. The ex-
element was intense, and yet no one spoke,
and the clergyman proceeded. When at
length he came to the words: eff any man
can show just cause why they may not law
fully be 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,
and Mr. Mitchell, attended by his best man,
both nervous, excited, and pale as ghosts,
came rushing up the aisle. A few words
sufficed to explain matters to the astonish-
ed clergyman. By some means the vestry-
door had been locked, aud the two gentle
men who were to play such important parts
in the scene about to be enacted were
thus prevented from making their entrance
when the organ gave them their cue. In
vain they had tried to open it. and had lost
valuable time in the effort. The church is
a large one, and it is easily understood how
it to k them several minutes to get out of
the vestry, around the side Of the building,
up the high steps at the front, and in at the
other door. The ceremony was recon-
menced, and the wedding was duly solem-
nized without further mishap.
Nor HIS SISTER, BUT HIS wIFE.-A
wedding took place on Monday in Baltimore
with a lit tie spice of romance in it, Late
Saturday afternoon young couple arrived
at the Howard House and registered as 81
S. Clayton and sister. Delaware" They
were very attentive to each other-much
mere so than in the experienced eyes of the
gentlemanly clerks seemed natural to broth
er and sister. On Monday they left the
hotel together, and after an absence of sew
eral hours returned. The young man went
into the office and said he wished to regis
ter. The clerk told him that was unneces-
sary, as his name was already on the book.
The young stranger then blushingly stated
that Clayton was not his name, but that ne
was John NJ. Perry, of Centreville, Nd.
and the lady who accompanied him was un-
the same place. He further explained that
they left home for the purpose of getting
married, but the bad weather had delayed
their arrival in Baltimore on Saturday until
too late to obtain license. Feariug pur-
suit and opposition, they registered under
an assumed name. Now that they were
married, Mr.. Perry desired to set matters
right on the register, as they expected
friends to call. The ceremony was per-
formed by Rev. W. Ii. H. Powers. On
Monday night an elderly gentleman inquired
for MI. Perry, and when he read the entry,
"John NJ. Perry and wife" in the register
gave start. AS he turned the happy
groom approached the desk and suddenly
stood transfxed with amusement. The
visitor was his father. The old gentleman
demanded of his son why be ran away to
get married, as the affair could have taken
place at home as well. The reply was not au-
dible to the bystanders, but was apparently
satisfactory. The bride and groom are en-
joying their honeymoon at the Howard
Bait. Sun, Jan. 18th.