The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-12-13
QUEER WEDDING RING.
An Humble Couple Married by
the Key of Il Church.

NOHiS tfSi ~ lbC Eluiln III HdU dl
hour, Myra. A couple are TO be mar
ried then. 1t may am1se you to see
one of or provincial cstemonles."
My grandfather was a ru1al dean
near Petit Zodiac, or as they called ii
in the vernacul3r, petucoat and-j lch ct,
writes Mrs. NJ. L. Ravne, in the De-
troit Free Press, aud It would be hard
to imsglna simpler lie, or one more
ren ote from the fashion which passeth
away. The lltt.c stone church was old
and picturesque, and the people aho
worshipcd there we1e as quaint and
origina! as il they had stepped ou! of
another century.
When | reached the church the we'd
ding party dad already arrived. 1t
consisted of the party themselves, as
much alone as were Adam and Eve at
t bridal IN Eden. They had ar
riv.d on horseback, and the unhitched
anlmals-each saddied over a flowing
white Sheet, which made then lock
like equine ghosts in the tsilight-were
browsing about among the grave stones,
disturbing nothing hut the long tangled
grass and the sweetbriar roses that grow
wild there. | hurried past them into
the vestry, where the dean WIS strug-
glirg into his white gown.
You can be my curate for this oc-
casion, he said, as peeped in at the
door. You vii be needed for wit
ness and bridesmaid, to assist with the
nng.
walked up the aisle OF the lite
chapel and sat down in ore of tie
high backed Fews and tiied to see
what manner OF folk they were who
had such queer bridal customs.
Not ) oung. And both were hard,
of the humb!est rustic type. The wo
man, brown as a Gypsy, wore flower
ed muslin dress that was coarse md
badly made. A string of beads and
white cotton vail were her ornaments.
Both wore white cotton 6 owes and as
their Ii ards were immerse the effect
WIS almost gto>esale. Tucir iaccs eX
pressed baAalu'ucs5 and certain rude
disdain oi what other people might
think. They cluiched hands as if they
were determll ed that no power on
earth should separate them al this
crisis.
After hey had been instructed
where 10 stand, they took their places,
the bride eYeirg me with some disfayor
as a ! o5siDe intruder.
VITO gneth this woman to be marn
ed to this mat?
AT this moment stepped forward to
make that pant Of the ceremony com
plete.
l don't know she, said the bride,
edglng away, Tut the dean paid 10 at
tcntion to her and repeated the sacred
formula fer them to follow wi.a him.
l will now take the ring, said my
grandfather in a low voice.
Reeug2 echoed the groom, knew
nobbut reerg. Hast any like
reeng, Ma,hi!de2
The rai!,rs rrrg with bis Whoa
Dobbin, tone.
l never tnocht o the like. HAPPEN
we'll ne'er mind sech leetle thing a
that, said the lride, with lock OF
genuine terror IN her eyes, IS it she
might lose her gallant at he very altar.
Take off your ring, Myrs, can use
that Tor tie ceremony, said the dear,
who carried out the Church CT England
ritual 20 the letter.
Alas, held up my gIoveless hands
as destitute Of rings as those OF the
bride herself.
What was to be done2 The dean
would not have considered those good
people properly married if the care
mony Of the ring were omitted. He
glanced down at his white hands, hold
ing the sacred book, then he turned
hurriedly to me:
Go and bring me the key OF the
church, he said.
WHAT in the world is he going to do
with 1t? queried TO myself, as |
obeyed.
Taking the large, brass key in his
hand, he gave it to the man, designa-
ting the loop at the end of the haadie.
He then instructed him 10 slip the rlag
over the brides finger. Inearly laugh
ed aloud as l saw the expression Of
surprise on the poor things face, as the
key dangled on her finger, while the
bridegroom lumberinglv repeated after
the dean: With this ring, l thee wed,
etc.
As soon as they were married ! res
torcd the key 10 the dOor and the
groom handed a rude parcel to my
grandfather.
Us the pay = wedtin, he said, brisk
ly.
The dean thanked him courteously
without having an idea as to what the
parcel might contain.
There was horse block al the door,
on which the bride mounted with her
dress tucked up about her. Only one
horse with its Tipping bridal accoutre'
ments was in sight.
Rlchard screamed the new wife,
where's my beastP
Richard had taken off his white
gloves and was cantering round among
the graves'ou looking for the beast
Il was soon fond, AMI after we had
shaken hands with the two and wisheC
!: them Joy, the queer pair rode of ii
) fine style.
When nay grandfather opened tht