MARRIED IN SPITE OF THEMSELVES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8471, 21 August 1888, Page 6

MARRIED IN SPITE OF THEMSELVES.

Some years ago, when free-love notione were running around loose in New England, a Boston man and woman who had imbibed of those doctrines until they affected to despise all the common conventionalities of life came to the conclusion that they would live together without going through the ceremony of marriage. They had both moved in good society and made no secret of their intention. In fact, they announced it to every one they met. Staid old Boston's aristocracy waa shaken to the depths. The man was prevailed upon to give a dinner party, to which were invited prominent society people, including the Governor of the State. When dessert waa put upon the table the talk became general, and soon turned upon the perverse couple. The man and woman answered every question put to them with the most perfect equanimity. Finally the Governor took a hand in the conversation. After asking a few questions and commenting on the answers thereto, in a calm, judicial manner, he turned to the mao and asked : ‘Do you, Mr , intend to love and cherish this woman as your wife, for good or ovil, for better or for worse 2 « Yes, air,’ answered the man calmly. ‘And do you, madame, intend to obey this man as your husband, for better or worse, for good or evil V ‘I do, sir,’ answered the woman politely ‘Then by the power invested in me as Governor of this Commonwealth I declare you to be man and wife.’ Aud thus the plana of the couple were frustrated, for which they afterward declared they were heartily thankful. They are now old and respected residents of Chicago.—Chicago Tribune.