A MATRIMONIAL BLUNDER.

Kumara Times, Issue 1055, 17 February 1880, Page 4

A MATRIMONIAL BLUNDER.

[LEEDS MERCURY.] A most ludicrous mistake occurred at Stoksley recently. The day had deen fixed for the marriage of a late member of the School Board, who is well known in the town, and a license had been procured for that purpose. On that morning the [expectant bridegroom and the bridesmaid were conveyed to the parish church in a cab. They were met at the church by a friendly publican, who had consented to act as beat man. As the party where somewhat behind the time appointed the clergyman at once proceeded with the ceremony, the whole party being apparently blind to the fact that the bride was absent, and the clergyman commenced uniting the bridegroom and the bridesmaid, Everything went on favourably until the officiating minister asked the man,' “ Wilt thou have this woman to be thy weeded wife,” &c., to which he answered, “ I will.” But on asking the [confused and blushing bridesmaid, “Wilt thou have this man to be thy weeded husband,” &c., she replied, “ No, it’s my sister.” This ' was an unlooked for interruption, and caused a general titter throughout the whole congregation; and the bridegroom exclaiming “PII go and fetch her,” rushed out of church, to which he shortly returned accompanied by the bride elect. The clergyman, however refused to perform the ceremony, alleging that if the bridegroom was too intoxicated to distinguish his bride from her sister, who was to act as bridesmaid, he was not in a fit and proper state to be married. The disappointed party had thus to leave the church unmarried, amid the laughter of a crowd of spectators.