The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-03-14
An ODD WEDDING,
By ROCKFORD KING.


dislike very much to marry persons
thus hrrr,edly about whom l know
nothii 8. and 90 this ease | especially
nesitaied. Tie man. though refined
locaug. was dressed in clothes more
helamg a workingman than gem
tleman. lie was pale faced either
FROM III health or because he had not
been accustomed 10 the sunlight; 9th
erwise he seemed TO be in good health.
However,, since there seemed to be
no objection tc my uniting them, both
being of age | told them TO come into
my study and | would accommodate
them. We had barely got inside and
the couple taken position before me
when quick footsteps were heard with
out.
The man lost what color he had be-
fore.
GO on, said the lady to me impa-
tiently.
But before | could do so two men
rushed in one Of them. glancing at
the groom expectant said, "All right;
we've got him." Then to the man to
whom he referred he said, You come
along with me-"
whats all this about?' l asked.
Hes an escaped convict" said the
man who had been speaking.
as that a fact% | asked Of the man
I had evnpctpd to marry
YES" he said, u am
He spoke without the slightest ap-
pearance of shame or regret. The
lady went up 10 the men, who were
prison officials, ana begged them to
permit the ceremony to proceed before
taking her lover back to prison.
but you don't wish to marry a jail
bird, do youY" he replied.
II wish to marry this man. 1t vii!
delay you only a few moments. Come
let the clergyman proceed"
what do you say, Tomi" he asked
Of his companion.
ITS a rum so" said the other, but
If the young lady insists ON throwing
herself away on convict l don't see
as its any business of our'n. We've
got him safe enough, and two or three
minutes won't make any difference.
AN right" said the other. &c
ahead. parson.'
1t was my turn TO demur, not liking
the business Of uniting a lady to any
man under such circumstances.
81 reckon she's with him." said The
official called Tom Some one sen
him a saw in a cake, and ! expec
she's the one that did it,
do 30 on" said the girl pleadingly
felt constrained TO take the SAM
view about the matter the men did
that 1t was none Of my business, so
yielded and married them. The cir
took out a portemonnaie and gave IN
a twenty dollar bill Then she threy
her arms about her felon husband
neck and said cheerily; "Itl be al
right now, dearie, we're married.
can now tell the whole story. woul
have done 1t before only you wouldn
let me- 1t won't be long now, assur
you. won't say goodby, but onl
adieu" And with several more hsse
she released him, and he went ava
between his captors, each holding o
to handcuff the prisoner wore abou
his wrists After they had gone
gave the lady a certificate of marriag
She was going away without it, but
detained her.
would you mind explaining tn
to me?" / asked as she was about
leave me.
Not yet" she replied. Thank yo
ever so much. You don't know ho
far you have been instrumental in u
tying a knot by tying one. Couldn
, you date the certificate back a year
81 couldn't do that" said
well, I don't know that it is nece
eary, though it might make the re
6 of it easier Goodby Some day you
- hear from us
With that she went away. lookii
far happier than when she had entere
six months passed, during which
heard nothing from either Of the co
pie | had married. Then one day
gentleman called on me whom | fall
! to recognize
"You don't remember me-" he said
: Il confess | do not" replied.
= That's not remarkable The Ia
a and only time saw you l was an {
x capped convict in borrowed. or, rattle
y stolen, clothes. You married me |
= fore l was returned to the penite
y tlary."
q "And may ask how you have
4 cured your freedom
y "By a pardon from the govern
a You see, it was case of convict
q, under a misunderstanding"
;. please be seated / said to hi
. "and make your explanation
D. "The matter which has puzzled you
"a very simple when you get the fac
< | courted my wife clandestinely,
v being engaged at the time to her
q Tiers partner in business. | persu'
A ed her to elope with me. The nis
Z. we were to make the elopement | W.
- TO her house and met her at a n
u door. At the moment our egress "
"a cut or she admitted me to the hot
z and closed the door To escape