The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-01-08
THE COST OF A WEDDING.
How a Girl Reporter Got the Story
From Il Minister.


An amusing and effective coup at
the expense of several prominent cler-
gylnen was executed recently by an
enterpriSinS young newspaper woman.
whose tactics. if open TO criticism OH
other scores. possessed AT least the
charm OF originality.
Dcmure and Quaker-like IL her cling
ing gray gown and modest toQuc. she
timidly entered n certain Fifth avenue
study and with towncaSt eyes contidcd
TO the reverend occupant thereof that
she wished 10 be married on the Both
Of October and might she have his
church:
Il can think Of nothing TO prevent"
replied the clergyman after 4 moments S
reflection.
"And would YOU mind telling me how
much it will cost?" continued the fair
questioncr in still lower tones.
Her host hesitatcd a moment. why.
that would depend altogether upon the
elaboratrncss of the service. If you
wish to be married quietly in the pres
cnce OF few friends. l Will gladly
place the church at your disposal free
Of charge. OF course the Organist
charges for his services, but >pcrhaps
you do not wish any music
"Ch. yes. indeed. want music.
want choral service. and there will
be great many guests
"Wouldn't you prefer to have your
fance talk the matter over with me-
why. you see" this time with 4
tinge Of pathos. ''he lives in Syracuse.
and he will not be able to come on
until the dag of the wedding"
Even n man interrupted at the eli.
max of what he felt to be one of his
most eloquent sermons could not resist
the appealing glance that accompanied
this remark Pushing aside the close
ly written sheets with politely conceal
ed regret the clergyman patiently gave
estimates on the probable cost Of the
service Of the orgauist and the full
choir and even discussed with urban
ity such trivial details as lights. avn
ineS. opening carriage doors. etc.
1t was finally discovered that Sl23
would provide all these desirable acccS-
sories to the great event. and the pro
spective bride departed. apparently sat
isfied with the result Of her call. The
clergyman resumed his literary labo!S
and thought no more Of the episode for
a week or so when he wondered idly
why he had heard nothing more of the
approaching ceremony and then dis
missed the affair from his mind.
1t was about fortnight later that
the elderly sexton came to him in a
state of strcng agitation holding at
arms lergth copy Of q we'll known
daily. His trembling forefnger pointed
to some huge headlines. which convey
ed to the reading public the startling
information that 1t cost $3.50 to be mar
ried on Fifth avenue and then moved
slowly down the column until ii paused
beneath his pastors name in large
type.
In surprise. no less grieved than that
of his honest retainer. the estimable
gentleman read brilliantly colored ac-
count of how he had looked and what
he had said on Il certain half forgotten
occasion. which now would live forever
in his memory.
Every minister Of the gospel is hui
man. however. ard it was undoubtedly
consolation to this one to perceive
that he had not been the only victim
of the clever but unscrupuloUs damsel.
Names and personalities us dignifed as
his own were expatiated upon in the
same humorous. not to say frivolous,
vein. and If it was written there in
harsh black and white that he had
blushed when asked the usual amount
of his fee. and that judging from his
appearance no one would venture to
offer him less than $50. why. his breth-
rem Jared no better.
Pondering upon these things. he at
length possessed his soul in peace: but.
though atfable to strangers as Of yorc.
it requires one Of unusual tact to OBJ
tain from him. at first interview. 4
quotable expression of opinion on any