Year: 1861

During the last summer little incident
transpired in one of the eastern towns,
which afforded some amusement to the
spectators at the time, and furnishing
food for considerable gossip thereafter.
Tt occurred in church, in one of those
quiet afternoons when all the world
seems ready to drop asleep ; when the
flies buzz lazily on the window-panes,
and the dog lies on the door-stone.


The afternoon service had ended, and
the congregation were arranging them
selves for the benediction, when to the
great astonishmcnt of the worshippers,
the good parson descended from the pull
pit to the desk below, and said in a
calm, clear voice:


Those wishing to be united in the
holy bonds of matrimony, will now
come forward


A deep stiffness instantly fell over
the congregation, broken only by the
rustling of silk, as some pretty girl or
excited matron changed her position to
catch a view of the couple to be mar
ried. No one, however, arose, or SEEM
ed the least inclined to rise.


Whereupon, the worthy clergyman,
believing his first notice unheard, or
misunderstood, repeated the invitation
in still palmer voice:


Let those persons wishing to be uni
ted in the holy bonds of matrimony now
come forward


Still no one stirred. The silence be-
came alarming, and painful sense of
the awkwardness of the position was
gradually spreading among those pres
ent, when a young gentleman who bad
occupied vacant seat in the broad aisle
during the service, arose, and deliber-
ately walked to the foot of the altar. -
He was good looking and we'll dressed
man; but no one knew him, and no fe-
male accompanied his travels. When
he arrived within respectful distance of
the clergyman, he paused, and with a
reverend bow stepped to one side of the
aisle, but neither said anything nor
seemed at all disconnected a. the idea of
being married without bride.


The clergyman looked earnestly round



for the bride, who, he supposed, was
yet to arrive, and at length remarked
to the young gentleman, in an under
tone: ...


'The lady. sir, is dilatory


Very, SIR


Had VIC not better defer the cere.
mony?'


4 think not. Do you suppose she
will be here soon?'


Me, cir = said the astonished shep-
herd-'that is a matter belonging to
yourself


A few moments more were suffered to
elapse in this unpleasant state of expec-
fancy. when the clergyman renewed his
interrogatories


Did the lady promise to attend at the
present hour p


What lady?' =


'Why,Ttae- iad!J; e y you are waiting here
for =


Il did not hear her say anything a.
bout it, was the gentleman's unsatisfac-
tory reply.


Then, sir, may ask why you are
here, and for what purpose you triie in
the sanctuary of the Most High ? said
the clerical gentleman, evidently some
what enraged.


Il came, sir, because you invited all
those wishing to be united in the holy
bonds of matrimony to step forward, and
| happen to entertain such wish. l
am very sorry to have misunderstood
you, sir, and now wish you very good
day


The benediction was uttered with a
solemnity of tone little in accordance
with the twitching of the facial nerves,
and when, after the church was closed,
the story gave wind among the congre-
cation, more than one girl regretted that
her wishes had not been so boldly cx-
pressed as those Of the young gentle
man who had really wished to be united
in the holy bonds of matrimony.'


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