A North Carolina Marriage

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4419, 12 July 1884, Page 4

A North Carolina Marriage

Soon after the close of the last war, Captain X wiis appointed a Justico of the Peace in a country place not far from Raleigh, North Carolina.

His father had been a planter in a rather small way, and his eon the captain had acquired considerable experience in the business of managing real estate, drawing up deeds, etc., during his father's lifetime, and then in settling the estate after hi? decease Further than this ho had no legal knowledge, and, indeed, his entire stock of "book-learning" was small and poorly selected, but any lack in general information was fully made up, for his uses, by self - assortion. Late one afternoon, as he was riding home from Ealeigh, he met a young woman and two men, who hailed him and inquired if he was Captain X. The young woman and one of the men wished to be married at once. The other had come as a witness. They had procured the necessary license, but an irate father was on their path. It was considered on all accounts safest to have the ceremony performed without delay, and try pacification afterward. Now, tho Captain had never witnessed a marriage, and naturally had no very clear idea of what was usual in such cases. He remembered having seen a book about the house years before, with a form for marriage in it, but what tho book was, and where it was, he could not remember. He asked the couple to come to his house, secretly hoping that he could find that book; but they declined, for the reason that the matter admitted of no delay. A loss assured man would have been sorely perplexed, but not he. He lost no time in removing his hat, and remarked, "Hats off in tho presence of the Court." All being uncovered, ho said, "I'll swear you in fust off. Hold up yer right hands." "Mo too ?" asked the friend of the groom. "Of course," said the Captain ; " all witnesses must be sworn. You and each of you solemnly swear that the evidence you shall give in this case shall bo th' ole truth, au1 nothin' but the truth. You, John Marvin, do solemnly swear that to the be&t of your knowledge an1 belief you take this yer woman ter have an' ter hold for yerself, yer hoirs, exekyters, administrators, and assigns, for your an' their use an' behoof for ever ?"

" I do," answered the groom. " You, Alice Ewer, take this yer man for yer husband, ter have an' ter hold for ever; and you do further swoar that you are lawfully seized in foe-simplo, are freo from all iticumbrance, and have good right to sell, bargain, and convoy to the said grantee ycreelf, yer heirs, administrators, and assigns ?"

" I do," said the bride, rather doubtfully. " Well, John," said the Captain," that'll be about a dollar n fifty cents."

" Are wo married?" asked the other

" Npt yet," quoth the captain ; " but the fee, comes in here." After some fumbling it was produced and handed to the Court, who oxamined it to make sure it was all right, and then pocketed it, and continued, '■ Know all men by these presents, that I, Captain X., of .Raleigh, North Carolina, being >n good health and of sound and disposin' mind, in consideration of a dollar n fifty cents to me in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby knowledged, do and by these presents have declared you man and wifo during good behaviour, and until otherwise ordored by the Court."

The mon put on their hats again, the young couple, after shaking their benefactor's hand, went on to meet their destiny and the irate father, while the Captain rode n ome richer in experience.