The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-27
PAYING THE PREACHER.
A Minister Tells of His Queer Expert
ences at Weddings.
New York Commercial Advertiser.

New York Commercial Advertiser.
One of the most trying moments about
getting married, so far as the man is con-
cerned, IS when he thinks II time to re-
munerate the minister officiating. Almost
invariably there seems a fear OF giving of
Tense. and the result is that ridiculous stu
best man TO attend to the customary re-
Enumeration, but many who come TO be
married do not seem TO know this.
Il once had a case where, in the midst of
the ceremony, when l happened TO extend
my hand toward the groom TO beckon to
have the ring ready, the man miSunder-
stood the motion and slipped a $40 gold
piece into my hand. Coming Unexpectedly
as it did, | dropped the money on the mar
bic floor and with a ring and clatter that
sounded all over the church. followed by a
metallic and prolonged roll that left moth
ing TO doubt, the com rolled into the aisle.
L was too closely identified with that acct
dent not To feel embarrassed. / became
more and more confused, while a litter ran
through the church which did not improve
condition of mind-whatever effect it
had on the responsible miscreant.
Another funny situation came one even
ing after a small wedding, when the elated
bridegroom forgot all about the fee for the
services. He was at the church door, where
l had accompanied the party to see them
off, when he suddenly remembered that he
had not thanked me. His thanks were pro-
fuse and all that could be desired. Again
and again he wrung my hand. until the
bride whispered something in his ear. At
Okl10 Il iOOh " &OlA2NG4 gill uA61 Ills
face. He put his hand I'm his pocket and
drew out an envelope. He handed it TO me,
explaining, mid apologies, that he had for
gotten all about the 'darned money and
have guessed why l followed him all the
way TO the door. 1t was all hard on me,
but it was just the result of a mans pent-
up feeling, and I stood it all patiently until
some one less affected by the situation
happily turned the tide by a timely joke.
"Of all the fees ever got for performing
n 49, - nA.ara 4 Hhtn1 N nn.W.s . =
gold piece is the most ~sacred-gold, by the
way. is almost the invariable specie i'm
which grooms fee the ~clergymen. OF a cold
night about ten years agO-I lived then in
Boston-my door bell rang and a young
man and woman stood outside. The man
explained first OF ell that he had no money.
Then he said that he was a sailor about 10
leave port; that he wanted 10 marry the
young woman if he could only find some
one TO perform the CEREMONY for nothing.
He was a good-looking young man and she
a pretty, buXOm girl of twenty years old.
Both were sincere about their request. and
looked as if they would be so unutterably
miserable each without the other that,
after satisfying myself that all was right,
THE groom led his bride toward the door
for all the world like a tug consorting a
clipper. At the door, however, he halted
suddenly and rummaged in his pockets.
Sue, he said, I've got a dollar. but /
guess we'd better give il TO the gentleman
for "doin' US up Sue said she thought so,
too. / told them my charge was never less
that s., and that when next he got into
port would be time enough.
4 had quite forgotten about the strange
young people when, from Sydney, Australia,
came a package addressed to me. 1t con-
tanned an American s. gold piece. There
was alse a letter recalling the marriage
and its particulars and a photograph of the
husband and wife. both looking splendid.
and with them two babies. The sailor had
become a prosperous stevedore out in that
PARKWAY place, and when once again 1
heard Of him he was accommodating a for
tune.
These are just a few instances of what
we meet professionally. but. l assure you.
the Sydney man, with his package and his
letter and his photograph, is the man I'll
never forget"