Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-10-19

hand, ,"-"Yes"--''to bo your Lawful
and married wife, -"Yesn-'and yol
promise, ,"-"Yes"-"n covenant II
tho presence of God and those wit
nessos, ,"-"Yos"-" that you will bo e
her faithful, loving husband, Yes
'-'until you be separated by doathP"-
Yes" Tho woman was always tht
moro composed OF tho two.
Onco was compelled TO pause and
straighton out part Of the ceremony
which the groom in his hnsto had got
ten wrong. Tho proclamation is gen
orally made at the beginning OF the
service, as follows: "If any one knows
Of n just cause why these may not be
united in tho bond OF matrimony, Lei
him now speak or ever after hold his
peace" To my astonishment and the
amusement of tho crowd the groom
said: al do" There was nothing TO be
done but to stop and explain to him his
mistake.
An occurrence OF this sort happened
while l was resident OF the place, but
with which | had nothing to do. A
young couple in one OF the upper coun-
ties OF the valley had become engaged
to each other and were arranging to be
married. To this the father, and es.
pocially step mother, were bitterly
opposed. In order to break off an en-.
gagement they determined to send the
girl TO some friends in the West. As II
was necessary to change cars at Har-
per's Ferry TO the main stem OF the Bal
timore & Ohio, the father accompanied
the girl that far that he might remain
with her while she waited for the West
bound train. The arrangement of the
parents TO send the girl away was fol-
lowed by plan between the young
people TO outwit Them In order TO do
this tho prospective groom preceded
them, and, arriving at the Ferry some
time before, procured the license and
preacher, and had made NIL the neces-
sary arrangements to carry off the girl.
His story had won the sympathy OF
every one, so that he had plenty OF help.
In due time the train arrived and
father and daughter entered the wait
ing-room. Soon after their arrival the
father went into another part OF the
building to write home of their safe ar
rival, and TO state the fact that the
daughter would soon be of and on her
way TO the West. While he was out
friend came, and, bcckoning to the girl,
took her out through tho armory-yard
to the bank OF the river, where boat
containing groom and minister was
waiting. The father soon returned,
but his charge had flown. No one had
seen her. He Immediately started for
the bridge where the marriages were
usually performed, but not finding her,
came back, and, happening to look
over into the river, by the light of the
moon he saw Il boat with several figures
in 1t. AT once the truth flashed upon
him, but he could only gnash his teeth
in impotent rage while his daughter
was being married before his eyes, and
he was powerless TO prevent it, AS u
punishment to the lovers, however, the |
boat began TO fill with water and sink,
and they reached the shore with diff
Guilty and were thoroughly drenched.
When they got back to the waiting
room the father was compelled to ad-
nit that he had been outwitted, and, |
the matter having been amicably ar
the father with his daughter
and new son-in,law got on the next |
train and went home together.
The marriage fees never amounted |
to much-anywhere from nothing TO
five dollars. One dollar was the usual |
fee paid. ! married one poor fellow for
He asked me to do so as he
had no money. Promises to pay more
were frequent, but have yet to receive
any additional fee from any one.
suppose they must soon have repented
of tho step taken, and as was the chief
agent in making the yoke so fast, they
inflicted upon me the only punishment
possible. Some may be inclined to CEN
sure the minister for marrying r,ina-
ways, but all were not runaways whom |
l married. In some instances they
came for the novelty and romance OF
being married at Harper's Ferry. am
sure, however, il parents could know
what the minister was sometimes COM
PEELED TO see, they would thank rather
than condemn him for what he did
ReU. w. C. Campbell, in NJ Y. World.