The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-01-30
A SINGULAR BLUNDER.
THE MISTAKE OF A CITY CLERGYMAN.
dow He Nearly Pronounced Father and
Daughter Man and wife, but Changed
His Mind Mt the Earnest Pro-
testatiOn OF the Groom.
Philadelphia special.l


The strange scene has been presented
here of clergyman in city church nearly
joining in matrimony father and daugh-
ter. The details have just become known,
and the story is now the chief topic of
society gossip. Invitations were issued to
large number of Philadelphia's most
fashionable people to be present at the
Church of Epiphany to witness the mar
riage of Wilson Mitchell, young man
well known in society, to Miss Fanny
Elizabeth Kessler, the daughter Of Jno.
Kessler, Jr. The spacious church was
crowded to overfowing. The rector of
the church, Rev. G. H. Kinsolving, who
was to perform the ceremony, stood up
and advanced to the altar ratings. The
deep tones of the organ pealed forth Men,
delssohn's wedding March," the swing
ing doors at the foot of the center aisles
swung open, the six ushers started slowly
forward, and following came the bride, at.
tired in travelling costume, leaning on the
arm of her father. The wedding had been
arranged in the usual English style, and
the bride was to be met at the chancel
steps by the groom, attended by his best
man. The eyes which had been fixed on
the bride turned towards the door of the
vestry' room, from which her prospective
husband was expected to emerge, but the
door was tightly closed, and it gave no
sign Of opening.
The organ had ceased its music, and
father and daughter stood before the altar
with ushers ranged on either side, and yet
no husband came forward to claim his
bride. The clergyman evidently didn't
understand the situation, though it was APP
parent from the rustic of excitement which
stirred the assembled guests that they
were only too well aware that something
was wrong.
The bride turned pale and clutched her
fathers hand convulsively, and the fathers
face grew scarlet in the suppressed excite
ment Of the moment. The awkwardness
Of the situation was increased when, in
solemn and deliberate tones, Mr.. Kinsolv-
ing began to read the marriage service. He
had mistaken the father for the groom,
and was about to marry him to his own
daughter. The excitement was intense.
On every countenance was depicted con-
sciousness Of the situation, yet no one
spoke, and the clergyman proceeded with
the service. When at length he came
TO the words: "If any man can show
just cause why they may not be joined
together, let him now speak or else
hereafter forever hold his peace" there
was a noise outside, the door at the foot
of the nave was thrown open, and Mr..
Mitchell, attended by his best man, both
nervous and excited, and both ashen
pale, came rushing up the aisle. A few
words sufficed TO explain matters to the
astonished clergyman. By some means
the vestry door had been locked, and the
two men were thus prevented from max
ing their entrance when the organ gave
them their cue. In vain they had tried to
open 1t and had lost valuable time in the
effort. When they finally abandoned the
attempt IL took them several minutes to
get out of the vestry and around to the
other door.
The ceremony was again begun, and the
wedding was duly solemnized, but the
shock which the young lady's nervous sys-
tenn received was severe, and for time it
was feared that II might be attended with
serious consequences.