Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1901 — JOE AND DOE ENTERTAIN. [ARTICLE]

JOE AND DOE ENTERTAIN.

On the Occasion of Their Twentieth Anniversary—An Unexpected Surprise. Twenty years ago last Friday, Joseph F. Hardman and Miss Dora Purcupile were married, and on that evening their china wedding was celebrated at their pleasant home on South Cullen street. About 60 invited guests participated in this observance of what they all spoke of as “Joe’s and Doe’s china wedding.” It was not only an exceedingly pleasant affair in every respect, but it contained many original and novel features. The invitations were in ryhme, and the recipients were required to send rhyming answers. These rhymes were read to the company and were the source of much amusement. The invitation read as follows:

On the 12th day of April, 1901, We’ve planned for you a little fun, For on this date 20 years ago, Was the wedding day of Joe and Doe. While we are thus together banded. Together we’ll play euchre six handed, So come prepared to “bid up” bold, This event to celebrate that’s 20 years old. It was quite a fashionable affair, also, and elegant new gowns of the latest style were much in evidence. Many elegant and appropriate presents were received. The principal amusement was six handed euchre, and was played with interest and great enjoyment. One feature of the evening, and the most interesting of all, was a complete surprise to everyone: While the hilarity of the guests was at the higest flow, there suddenly appeared among them a W. U. telegraph messenger, and presented a telegram to F. A. Ross, president of the Rational Remedy Co. The telegram was receipted and paid for in all due solemnity, and Mr. Ross showed from his manner that the telegram was something of very serious moment. Asking W. B. Austin if he was not the correspondent of the RecordHerald, he called him aside and showed him the telegram and asked if it had not bettor be read publicly. By this time the guests perceived that the telegram contained something of unusual nature, and their interest and curiosity were at the highest pitch. Mr. Ross then stepped forward and read the telegram, as follows. Elysium. Apr. 12, 1901. F. A. Ross, Rensselaer. Send in four hundred words on the following. Are parties of age? Do parents consent? Is there visible means of support? Application was filed here tonight, by Aubert Linnaeus Berkley, for license to marry Luella McCoy, in the Fall. (Signed) C. UPID, Mgr. Dept. Matches & Flames. The parents of the young lady were present and being called forward they gave their consent to the engagement, and an awnser was wired to 0. Upid that everything was “O. K.’’ and that the license might be issued when wanted. The guilty young couple was next called forward and received “Dr. Ross’ paternal and professional blessing in a style they will not soon forget. Then, accompanied by a fusillade from a 32 caliber revolver, au illustrated scroll was enrolled containing this motto: “Oh souls with but a single thought! Oh, hearts that beat as one, Use Rational remedies as you ought, For troubles just begun.” This was well received by all except the prospective groom, who as a regular physician, felt it his duty to register a kick against the obvious advertisement of “Rational Remedies,” in the motto. The motto was illustrated by a series of six pictures, dipicting “life’s story and troubles” referred to, their subjects being: 1. Two winged hearts that “met by chance the usual way.” 2. Same hearts impaled in mid-air by C. Upid’s Arrow. 3. “Troubles,” in shape of bills, duns, baby carriages, nursing bottles, etc., etc. 4. A breakfast table where a plate is flying through the air, projected by hubby and at wifey’s head; wifey in tears. 6. Reconciliation in each other’s arms, and underneath it the motto: “The only Rational treatment. Use it Doc.” A song of 6or 7 verses was then uproariously sung by the * entire company and the refrain of which was as follows: Cupid’s Chorus (Refrain) Hallelujah ! ‘Tis done t That Son of a Gun, Of a Berkley has won, Luella McCoy. (Repeat) It is needless to say that after so much excitement and exertion the guests had ample appetites for the elegant supper that was served | them. * *