Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1876 — Anecdotes of Weddings. [ARTICLE]

Anecdotes of Weddings.

To ask a clergyman the amount of hia fee seem® and extraordinarily ungracious thing to do, bitt it la very frequently done by persona who seem toimarfne that there is a fixed amount. Naturally enough the first words of a bridegroom after learning, that he is to fix the amount himself betray some indication of his natural disposition. ft is told of a New EnglanJ'furmer, who went to the city th many a well-to-do lady, and who secured the services of the lady’s pastor to tie the nuptial knot, that, on the completion of the ceremony, which took place at the lady’s residence in the presence of her friends, he said, in his usual heavy tones, which could be distinctly heara by everyone in the room: “ Wall, dominie, I guess I’ll have to pay you sunthin’ handsome fur this, hey!" The lady blushed, and her pastor, wishing to spare her from mortification as far as possible, replied in a low tone: “Oh,fix that to suit yourself, air.” The delighted groom exclaimed: “Wall, neow, that’s what I call raal handsome, isn’t it, ’Mandy! Yeou see, money's kinder skurse up country, dominie, but darn my buttons es I don’t send yeou a bushel of potatoes next fall.” He was as good as his word, and the pleased parson the next fall had the pleasure of paying as much freight on the potatoes as they would have cost in the market.

The manner of tendering the fee, of course, varies according to the amount of urace and self-possessiofl of the groom. In England the custom which obtains largely is for flic groom to hand it to the clergyman together with the ring, thus bringing it into the middle ot the service. In connection with this it is said that another thing is customary, which will seem a little strange to most Americans. It is for the clergyman, in case the couple are his personal friends, to pocket the fee when it is handed to him with the ring, but to give it back to the groom in the vestry while the parties are signing the registry. This, however, he only does in case of the party being his personal in the light of an act of friendship. Among the very High Church people in England the clergy refuse invariably to receive a fee, as marriage is looked on by them purely in the light of a sacrament. The growing tendency, in America at least, to regard, it as a civil contract has given rise to our curious melange of laws on the subject, some of which are very beneficial in preventing mock marriages. The accountability to which the clergyman is held for performing one of these, even ignorantly, he may easily avoid. He has the right, if he suspects that anything is wrong, to swear the parties, and if they represent under oath that everything is regular, he is not holden. The principal difficulty in the way of the clergy in performing marriages is the doubt that is often raised of the age of the parties. Bometimes a man or woman seems to be under age, and the clergyman, refusing to belive their statements, will refuse to marry them without the consent of parents. Some clergymen, however, take a different view of this, and, holding that it is better to marry a young couple than, by questioning them, induce them to lie, they seldom or never refuse to marry those who make application. Another question which perplexes some clergymen, while to others it presents no difficulties, is presented when persons of different races apply for marriage. One clergyman said that he was some ten years ago very much perplexed by a couple coming to him who were black 'and white. The man was bl unusually fine presence and manners, well dressed, and apparently educated, but a full-blooded negro, while the woman was young and very pretty, not only white, but of a dazzlingly-white complexion. She was a Canadian, while the negro had been a house-servant on some Southern plantation, and had gone to Canada to live. The clergyman says that he was unwilling to marry them, although the woman seemed unable to comprehend the objection. He talked with her for some time, and advised her not to marry him, but as she remained firm he shifted the difficulty from his own shoulders by sending them to Dr. Cheever to be married. The custom of kissing the bride at a wedding is of great antiquity, and, while among the most refined classes it has fallen into disuse, it is still insisted on by many people with great rigor. A very amusing story is told of a Kentucky backwoodsman who had, after a long and ardent courtship of the belle of one of the Kentucky cities, won her for a bride. She had for a long time wavered in her choice, undecided whether to take him or a gentleman of wealth and position in the city, but finally choosing the humbler lot in obedience to her heart. The wedding was celebrated in great style, and the manly groom was almost as much admired for his colossal proportions and athletic symmetry as was the bride for her exceeding loveliness. Among tire guests was the unsuccessful suitor, who was well aware of the jealousy with which the groom had regarded him, but who had overcome his chagrin at his failure and was sincerely anxious to congratulate the bride. One by one the guests offered their good wishes and their hearty kisses, while the groom -looked on with approval and delight.' At length, among ’ ttie'rejrf 'catfte " the" rejected * lover. The youug groom watched him keenly, Wit without the least animosity in his expression. The unfortunate rival felt the delicacy of his position, and not caring to prbvoke the husband’s ire, he did not proffer the salute which Was customary. As he was giving place to others after wishing the newly-married pair well, the groom grasped his arm with his iron fingers, and in a low tone said. “She’s my wife now, and I propose to see that she is treated as well as my wife" should be treated. If you don’t kiss her I’ll break every bone in your body.” Rather than quarrel the gentleman kissed the not unwilling bride, and the grbom waasatiaf fled.

The view of tlite marriage covenant, in which it is regarded as a civil leads many persons to nrefen the services of an officer of to those of a clergyman, although it is well understood that not even these are> required to make a legal marriage. The simple requirements of the law a mutual consent before witnesses, and this fact was once taken advantage of by the triends of a Quaker who was very radical in his views, much to his discomfiture. He lived with a woman as his wife, but re-' fused to be bound by any form of marriage. Their relationship was known to be a perfect marriage in all but the form, and his friends, while acknowledging the purity of the man’s ideas, were grieved at the scandal created bynis action, as he was known to be a good man. He was, however, deaf to all remonstrances, alIthough hie.friends presented the matter in every possible light. At length some of the oldest and gravest among his friends determined that the matter ought to be settled with or without his sanction. They therefore called on him, ands in the presence of his with in all■ but the name, they renewed their arguments. In the course of the conversation they artfully managed to draw from h<r the remark that she considered him as her husband. Immediately afterward they spoke to him in such a way that he, not suspecting their intention, replied Why, I consider her as my wife.” “ Then I pronounce you man and wife. Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder,” said the “oldest man in the party. The outwitted Quaker was furiously angry, but he had been caught beyond question. ■

A rood story is told of a newly appoint ed Justice of the Peace' In one of the Western State* who ws* called on soon after his accession to office to marry a couple. He was a bachelor and had never been to a wedding, and had no form-book which showed him just how todo the thing properly. However, there was no one else within fifty miles who, as he thought, could marry them, so he determined to try. and. having an eye to the main chance, he looked out for his fee in a hotel manner, as* he did not expect to receive a large one, and, judging from the man’s appearance, felt doubtful of getting uy, He began by swearing the groom: " Put your right on the bible. Yom do solemnly that the evidence you shall give in the dwe of Robert Jones against Mary Smith shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Kiss the book and pay me one shiMing.” The groom, somewhat surprised, did this, and the Squire proceeded; “ Will you take Mary Smith to be your wife!" “I will." “Will you provide for her, give her good and suitable clothes, ana keep plenty of provisions in the house, and will you take care of her if she should be sick !” “Twill.” The Squire then proceeded to swear the bride in the same way, braking out for his other shilling, and interrogated her as to whether she would “be a good and obedient wife, take care of his house and nurse him if he should be sick.” The bride promised, and the erratic Justice said: “The court finds yopjnarried, and orders that the costs be paid by Robert Jones. Then you can go.” The man grumbled a little at being obliged to disburse money the third time, but paid a dollar finally, and the couple departed.— Exchange.