The Ketchikan miner., 1912-11-08
WEDDING STORIES
Experiences Grave and Gay at
 the Marriage Ceremony.
ODD BREAKS AND BLUNDERs.


 Tho Fearful Regret That Flowed From
 the Heart of . Happy. Ex. .Widow-A Pert Reply to "Wilt Thou TIA Tragic Wait and It's Sequel.
 According to the stories told by sev- eral of Chicago's leading clergymen, wedding ceremonies do not always run any smoother than true love.
 People seem to act more insanely at wedding than at any other time. save perhaps . fre," declared one pastor. "and 1t Is usually the bridegroom who gets the most nustered. It Is seldom that a woman gets the responses mix ed as does the man. One time at fashionable wedding where was off, ciatlng the bridegroom insisted upon saying in a loud and distinct voice. much to the amusement of his hearers, T take me this plight instead of the usual I plight thee my troth.'
 Another time when was marrying country couple at my home l asked the bridegroom the usual question, Wilt thou have this woman to be thy welded wifeT and he replied. with fire in his eye, What do you suppose we're here for eff wouldn'tT
 Ut was at a wedding in my church that the six-year-old niece of the bride groom caused a ripple of laughter With big eyes she watched the bridal procession come up the aisle. and as 1t neared the altar she noticed her uncle. who had come out of the yes try and with his best man and me awaited the bride in the chancel. Up she jumped and. pointing a small fin. ger at the bridegroom. said in her shrill baby voice, oh, mother, if there isn't Uncle Bob with his best clothes on and his everyday noser She had been told by her uncle, who possessed an un- usually prominent nose. that when he got married 1t would be shorter.
 "One time after reading ceremony the bridegroom handed me five dol lar bill. saying. I'll give you two.' Not understanding him. l said. Thank you,' and put it into my pocket. He touched me on the shoulder and again said. 'I'll give you two.' oh. you want changer inquired. He nodded. and I handed him $3."
 One Imaginable wedding was that of widow who married one of her boarders. She was woman past for ty five, with all the airs of a school girl, and amused all who knew her by her references on all occasions to her departed husband, John. In fact. John got to be a byword among all who knew the widow. Among the boarders was young fellow of twen- ty-fve, who fell in love with the fair relict of the sainted John, and In a short time the roomers were all 1n- vited to attend a wedding to be held in the parlor.
 The widow was large. tall and stout and the bridegroom exceedingly small for a man, and when on the night of the wedding the widow appeared at the proper moment leading her pros- pcctive husband into the parlor. much as a mother leads her little boy. even the waiting clergyman had to suppress smile. After the ceremony had been read and congratulatory speeches were iD order the erstwhile widow exclaim- ed. with emotion. "Oh. if only my poor. dear John were here to see how happy l am at this moment" Only the perfect self control of the guests saved the situation.
 It was in an Episcopal church that superstitious bride fainted at the al- tar. Just as the bridegroom was about to put the ring on her finger his nerv. ous, shaking fingers dropped it. and 1t rolled away across the floor. The bride, certain that some great calami- ty would overtake them. refused to go on with the services and then fainted. After the delay of an hour or so she was prevailed upon to allow the cere- nony to be finished
 4 Unitarian minister tells this story: .'One time 1 was to read the service In my church in a western state where licenses are not required. The church was filed. and the bridal party arrived on time. all save the bridegroom. For more than an hour we waited. the bride growing almost hysterical and the guests restless over delay the reason for which was not suspected.
 At last word was brought that the the party was ready. and came out from the vestry. the organ pealed forth the wedding march. and the bride came up the aisle to the altar. pale and trembling, looking much diff. ferent from the pretty. flushed girl l knew.
 'Imagine my surprise when the bride and best man stepped before me The man said few whispered words. l looked at the girl. and she nodded. and began the service that made the girl the wife of the best man. The