The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-02-07
Marrying His Own Child.

The strange scene has been presented
here of clergyman in a fashionable
church joining in matrimony father and
daughter. The details have just become
known, and the story is now the chief
topic of society gossip.
Invitations we're issued to large num-
Der of Philadelphia's most fashionable
people to be present at the Church of
the Epiphany to witness the marriage
of Wilson Mitchell, a young gentleman
we'll known in society, to Miss Fanny
Elizabeth Kessler, daughter of John
Kessler, Jr. At the hour named the
spacious church was crowded to overflow
ing and the assemblage was anxiously
awaiting the arrival of the bridal party.
Presently there was whisper which ran
from the door to the chancel that they.
had arrived. The rector of the church,
the Rev. G. II. Kinsolving, who was to
perform the ceremony, stood up and ad-
vanced to the altar ratings The deep
tones of the organ pealed forth Mendels-
sohn's wedding March," the swinging
doors at the foot of the centre aisle swung
open, the six ushers started slowly for.
ward, and following them came the bride,
attired 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 chan
Gel steps by the groom, attended by his
best man. Eyes which had been fixed
on the bride turned towards the door Of
the vestry room, from which her pro-
spectiye husband was expected to emerge !;
but the door was tightly closed and it
gave 40 sign of opening. The organ had
ceased its music, father and daughter
stood bef, the altar, with the ushers
ranged on either side, and yet no hus-
band had come forward to claim his
bride.
The clergyman evidently did not un.
derstand the situation, though it was evi-
dent from the rustic of excitement which
stirred the assembled guests that they
were only too we'll aware that something
was wrong. The bride turned pale and
clutched her fathers hand convulsively,
and the fathers face grew scarlet in the
suppressed excitement of the moment.
The awkwardness of the situation was in.
creased when in solemn and deliberate
tones Mr.. Kinsolving began 10 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 coun-
tenance was Denoted consciousness of
the situation, yet no one spoke and the
clergyman proceeded with the service.
When at length he came 10 the words,
"If any man can show just cause why
they may not lawfully be joined together
let him now speak or else hereafter hold
his peace" there was a noise outside, the
door of the nave was thrown violently
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 mat
tiers to the astonished clergyman. BY
some means the vestry door had been
locked, and the two gentlemen 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. When
they finally abandoned the attempt it
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
system received was severe, and for time
it was feared it might be attended with
serious consequences.