SOMEWHAT MIXED.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 72, 27 March 1877, Page 3

SOMEWHAT MIXED.

(FROM THE LONDON FREE PRESS.)

" The course of true love never did run smooth," is a time-worn adage which the majority of grown up folks as a rule give their adherence to. Whether, however, this is the cause of a dead-lock in the affairs of a newly-married couple residing in the township of Westminster, we know not, still the annexed statement is nevertheless true. The male participator in the affair is, we believe, ; a farmer in good circumstances, while the bride is stated by those who should know to be rather a good looking young woman of twenty-three summers. The courtship was carried on as all such courtships are in the rural districts—principally going to and returning from church, meetings, etc. It was rather lengthy, and at times people thought the desparity in their ages would be a barrier, in the long run, to their union. All such surmises, however, were doomed to disappointment, as a week or two ago the loving couple were " made one," the honeymoon trip was indulged in, and on Sunday last the orthodox "ohurch going" took place in a city chapel. The most extraordinary fact, however, remains to be told. While the courtship was proceeding it was usualy understood that the couple were near relatives—couI sins, the people generally supposed. The

announcement of the marriage, however, gave rise to a good deal of further speculation on the subject. But imagine the consternation of all parties concerned when last week it was discovered that the bridegroom's father was twice married ; that he was one of the first wife's family, and that the bride was one of the second wife's ?—they being thus constituted half brother and sister. The brother left home prior to his mother's death, and never saw his sißter till he had (unknown to himself) interviewed her in the role of a lover. The young lady's mother —the " old man " is dead—has been since the discovery of the abovefacts, almost distracted. Of course, gossip are having a nice time in discussing the matter; but the newly-married couple have hot yet given any definite reply to the numerous inquiries as to what they mean to do. Said the bride to a female interrogator the other day, " We like one another: we have been married, and what can we do ?" Although there may be a little difficulty in disposing of such a query, the only apparent way out of the difficulty is a speedy separation, as neither legally nor socially are the parties married.