The Washington weekly post., 1899-10-31
TRIALS OF ClSRGYREM.
Have Their Troubles When They Try TO
Marry People.

From the Philadelphia Times.
Clergymen have their own trials in the
line of marriages. Not long ago a young
couple went TO the residence of promi-
Dent minister and were married. The
clergyman had no certificate ready, and
informed the newly married couple that
he would send the certificate to them the
next day. The bridegroom. however. said
he ard his wife would call for the certifi-
cate, and they left without saying any
thing about marriage fee. They return
ed the next day, received the certificate.
expressed themselves as being pleased
with it and went on their way rejoicing.
still neglecting to mention the matter OF
the clergyman's fee.
The same clergyman married a couple
several years ago, and recently the wife
called upon him. She recalled the we'd
ding to the minister's mind, and then de-
ciared she was heartily tired of her hus-
band and wished to know if her marriage
could not be annulled by the minister.
| When told that clergyman could join
man and wife together, but could not put
them aSunder, the woman cried bitterly.
How long have you been living apart
| from your husbandr' the clergyman
asked.
Il lived with him only about three
months the weeping woman replied
"Never. He did not drink, and he pro-
vided for me handsomely"
Well" said the minister, much aston
| ished, ''if the man was kind to you, pro-
viCed for your comfort and Gid not drink,
| what fault had you TO find?'
oh" SAID the wife, drying her tears,
| don't you remember how very plain he
was? He is actually so plain looking that
| l hnally got ashamed TO be seen with him.
and. Of course, l can't even think of living
| with him."
All good counsels on the part of the
| clergyman were unavailing and the
young wife departed, vOwing TO secure a
| separation from her husband because ma
ture had not endowed him with d face
| that was fair to look upon.
| Another well-known clergyman some
years ago married a young man and
| woman, and at the conclusion of the GER
| emCny the youthful bridegroom handed
! the minister a new 81 bill "'Tain't a
very big fee, DOCTOR" said he, grinning
| but I'll do better the next time"
A former Fifth avenue clergyman in
| New York tells OF couple who were mar
| ried by him a long time ago. At the con-
| clusion of the ceremony the bridegroom
| handed a bill TO the minister, who, with
out glancing AT il, put 1t into his pocket
| Upon his arrival home he found that the
| bill was $40 He gave it TO his wife, and
| Of course, the money was judiciOusly ex-
| pended for the good of the household
| Some months afterward a man called
! upon the minister, explained that he had
| been married by him, and asked If the
| fee rendered had not been a go bill The
minister did not at first recognize the
man, but on his mentioning the $50 bill
| recalled the circumstances and said So
| We'll" replied the man, that explains
| where that SIS went to. | had a so bill
and s. bill. OF course, l meant to give
the g bill to you, and gave you the 81
| bill by mistake"
| The minister was somewhat taken
| aback, but he returned the bridegroom
| SlS at once and tried to dismiss the mat
ter from his mind. A few days later tie
| man returned.
.Tve been thinking over matters" he
| said, land / think you ought TO pay me
| interest on that SIS It's only a few cents
| of course. but you've had the use Of the
| money several months, and you ought tC
/ pay the interest"
The audacity and impudence of the man
| so amazed tie clergyman that he at once
| wrote out a check for the interest de-
! manded The Cancelled check was secured
| at the bank by the clergyman and tram
| ed. Until ne removed from New York the
check hung on his library wall, relic oi
| a most amusing experience.
| Another New York clergyman was call
| ed one morning to marry A nice-lookina
| Young couple. The man. evidently a clerk
| told the clergyman that he wanted 20 bs
| put into double harness" The clergy
| man soon found out what the expression
| double harness meant and agreed L
| marry them at once.
! wait a moment" said the prospective
| bridegroom. Il have been under a good
| deal of expense lately. and | would Tx,
| you 10 taEe my note for three month:
! for the marriage fee. Win you do thaty'
| The minister consented, and after the
| wedding the bridegroom gave him prom
ise To pay 8 at the end OF three months
| In some way the story leaked out and thi
| bridegroom's employer, who was vel
| known TO the clergyman, was "gUyed'
| numerically. What sort OF a man wa
he" his friends laughngly inquired. -whC
| could not pay his help money enough {
| enable them to pay a small wedding feeT