The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-08-02
A BACKW00DS BRIDE
GROOM.
New Orleans City Item,

| l THINK that II, ABOVE most OtncrS,
there is one man called to preach the
gospel that one is my cousin, James
Dcllwood Lee. Pure in heart, sincere
of purpose, full Of faith and works,
his manners mild, his voice gentle, the
glance from his large, dark eyes con-
templative and kind, it seems strange
that, from his earliest career in the
ministry he has been the victim Of
many ludicrous Incidents occurring at
most sacred moments while acting in
his official capacity.
| One Of the most ludcrous nature
characterized his first wedding.
He was a deacon at the time, assist
ant to the venerable Rev. DR.. L., of
old Christ church, when it reared its
stately stecple above the neighboring
buildings on Canal street.
A marriage was to be celebrated on
a certain evening, the service to take
place in the church at which Dr.. L.
was to ofiicate, but, late in the after.
noon Cousin Dell received a note from
DR.. L., which informed him that, ow.
ing to necessary repairs begun that
day on the gas pipes the ceremony
could not take place IN the church
he had been taken suddenly i'll and
could not otiiciate, and directed Cou.
sin Dell to go to No. 4 c. street and
perform the ceremony, which was
fixed for 8 O'clock in the evening.
UnacQainted with the locality. Cou-
sin Dell set out early to find the place,
but upon reaching the street was sur.
prised upon inQuiring at No. 4 tC
learn that there were four houses on
the street each Of which could boast
of a No, A. Young in years as 10 the
ministry, he was undisturbed by 81
trihng a circumstance and walked
checrfuly to the next No. 4 to be here
directed mile beyond the one first
visited in the opposite direction.
AS he walked he pondered over The
contents OF the rcctor's note, which
stated that neither OF the contracting
parties had ever witnessed a marriage
ceremony, which seemed to Cousin
Dell somewhat strange, as he was
about to officate for the first time.
The groom he never had seen but
the bride he remembered as a Sunday
school pupil, rather good-looking
intelligent girl about II years of age
Both were from the backwoods o.
Alabama and the girl just then made
her home with some friends in New
Orleans.
Thinking thus he reached the third
house numbered 4, only to meet will
disappointment and to find anothe
mile must be traversed, and afte
having consumed three hours ia try
ing to find 1t, the city bells were ring
ing the hour of 8 when he reached hi
objective point.
On the sidewalk In front Of TIL
steps of the house stood a tall tigur
with feet planted wide apart, hi
hands in his pockets. Cousin Del
accosted this figure with:
"Does Mr.. v reside here ?"
The "fgure" answered the qrestio
with another.
"Be you the parson ?"
The strong nasal twang left n
doubt as to the identity Of the owner
. who opened the door and ushcrc
" Cousin Dell into long room. A
they entered he turned and scanne
the minister.
swell, parson," he drawled out, "
: rythcr reckon you're rythcr late"
, Cousin Dell explained the cause {
e his tardiness.
u "Well, parson, I rythcr recke
you're about ready to do the job u
now"
a "As soon rs have adjusted my su
i plice," was the answer and tho e.
+. pectant groom, vigorously chewin
I. tobacco, stood BY Watching In an il
l. terested way the manner in which
h was accomplished.
Il "Wall, parsOn, | ryther reck0
i. you're about ready now ?"
! The groom disappeared through
= side door and Cousin Dell was left
u reflect nron his appearance lie WI
above six feet in height, lanky, m,r