MARRIED IN A HURRY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7719, 16 April 1887, Page 3

MARRIED IN A HURRY.

The following curious, story is all the way from Russia. An English merchant, resident at St. Petersburg, desired to marry allussian lady, which cannot b'edone without a special edict from the Emperor. He had given up all hopes, when one evening a friend, happening to find the Emperor in a good humor, represented the matter to him, and desired his permission. " Let Miss A. and Mr B. be married immediately," 'was the order given by Nicholas. The ukase was signed- at six p.m.'; by ten it had passed thrqugh'&he' offices of registry, whence by. eleven o'clock, it was in the hands of the Synod, 'and by. midnight the police were trotting' the. streets to' put it in execution without .delay. Mr 13. was. fast asleep, when-.'a thundering rap at tho door frightened him awake. Visions of the knout and 'the like floated before his half awakened 'brain, '■ when the. Jew-faced soldiers burst into his chamber and ordered him to follow.

"In God's name, what have I done ?'.

he exclaimed, "where am. I, to- go?Must I be dragged off afc this time of "We liave a warrant for you which, must bo executed immediately;" said "one of them, and he proceeded. to, read:— j " By the grace ofGod, tlie'j4.utocrat of all the Russias; &c., orders the niamanq. of Miss A. to Mr 15. to he solemnised im-' mediately;" &c. :,". Yousee.he admits-.of < no delay," oliscrved the .officer, gravely. The astonished merchant, was' tlien ' hurried -off ,to, a .priest .' and. •' thence in company with this functionary to the liouse of the lady, 'who was thunderect up / in the same way ; and ere her eyes were fairly opened, or her deshabille,-) half arranged, tlia twain : , were one fle'slK -The, clergyman'attested 'the .execution of the ; sentence, and abruptly left with the officers,' leaving-' 'the 'astonished courjlo, to' get over their confusion. .'■■>. ..-i