Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-04-05
MD. TUESDAY EVENING. APRIL 8, 1sss
HE WASN'T SURE
HARD WORK TO MAKE UP HIS
MIND.

'Ie Looked Upon Marriage From .
business Standpoint Paying Ths
Clergyman on the InstaIment Plan
-HIa wife Made Him settle the mn.
A clergyman was telling anecdotes Of
incidents in his early life as pastor.
Que Of them was about marriage cefe.
mony which he once performed. 4 Young
man Of the country district came to the
pastor one day.
Il want TO get married, he said; "and
! guess I've got about as good woman
rs there is around this part of the State
Can you marry us:"
The Clergyman thought that he could,
aud so the young man went away and
soon returned with his bride. They
both took the affair very coolly. and
when the ceremony was over the bride
groom took the clergyman aside.
II do not want to drive bargain at .
time like this, he said; but of course
ain't sure that this marriage business is
going to prove all that / expect of it.
How would half cash now, one-fourth in
one month, and the rest in two months,
after have had fair chance to see If ]
got good bargain, suit your"
well, said the pastor, if that seems
fair to you, am willing. Wen say ten
dollars now, five dollars in one month
and five dollars in two months /"
"Thats a go, answered the happy
bridegroom, aud he handed over ten dol
lars.
AT the end of month he returned
with five dollars more.
II amt sure, he said, little doubt
fully, "about it yet, but I'm willing ia
give you the benefit OF the doubt and to
make the second payment You see, !"
he added, "while have my own doubts
about the blessing of married life,
don't know as it's going to make much
difference ! amt just so sure as l was
that | could get out of this thing now if
wanted to. She's got an opinion of her
own, " he said, with faint grin; "and
IL she says we have got to keep on being
married, guess it'll have to go at that. :"
"You aren't thinking of getting a di-
'orce, are you ?" asked the clergyman.
"Oh, no; at least not just yet.
"Of what faults in your wife do you
complaint"
"Oh, nothing in particular.
"Why are you dissatisfied, then 2"
al amt just dissatisfied. say / have
at made up my mind yet T"
"Why shouldn't you know one way OF
the other?"
"WelI to tell you the honest truth,
don't believe it would do any good. I'm
afraid whatever she decides will settle
it," Then he went off, looking rather
puzzled over the problem.
AT the end of the second month there
came knock at the door, and the pastor
himself answered it. The bride was
standing there, and about five feet be-
hind her was the doubling husband.
My husband owes you five dollars,
doesn't he?" she asked, sharply.
swell, answered the pastor, with a
mile, i am not sure about that point. +"
"Yes, he does, /" she said, firmly. "He
owes you five dollars. Henry, wasn't
your bargain that five dollars should bo
paid at the end of the second month if
.he marriage was satisfactory 2"
"Yes, said the husband, weakly.
And its satisfactory, amt it?"
Henry looked at the pastor.
sits satisfactory, amt it?" she re,
peated.
"Ye-e-s," said the husband, looking
down at his boots.
Il thought so, cried the wife. trium.
phantly. Now pay him that five dol.
lars.
The husband handed a bill to the
clergyman, and said to him in low
voice:
II amt quite sure yet, one way or the
other; but she's got me, and guess she
means to hang on to me. So I'll have to
worry along till she dies or get chance
% run awayl"