A WEDDING IN WYOMING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 930, 21 March 1882, Page 3

A WEDDING IN WYOMING.

Camping near the town, we secured our stock and then went in. Entering the leading store, I introduced my’self to Mr Stiles, one of the proprietors and the postmaster.

“ It is now half-past two, and at three there’s to be a wedding down the street at Jonas Burton’s. Old Jonas is a rough old coon that we elected Justice of the Peace about a month ago. and as this will be bis first attempt at a marriage, I think we will see some fun. Come and go down with me.”

We went to the old squire’« cabin. We found him poring over a large volume of the statutes of Wyoming, sweating like a horse and looking terribly anxious. After greeting us he said “ Stiles, the galoots that got up these ’yer laws hadn’t gumption enough to last ’em over night. I've run through the hlamed book a half a dozen times, an’ can’t find a worn about metrimony, or how the hitchin’process is proceeded with I’ve jusi got ter put the clamps On this couple, bit or miss, an’ ef 1 don’t yoke ’em up legal I can’t help it.”

“ Oh 1” said Stiles, “just do the best you can. Any kind of cereranney will do in this country, for people ’ll never question the legalit}' of the thing. I’ll post you as well as I can.” Stiles then explained to him how he should proceed, and the old man thought ho could worryrthroogh in Ud -rab'e shape Ere long the couple appeared, followed by a crowd of the citizens of the camp. The candidates stood up before the ’Squire who beg in ; “ Pcllow-oi’izens. this ere man an’ this *yar woman have appeared before the eyes to babitohed inthe legal bands of wedlock. If any galoot, in the mob knows anything that mout blook the game ef tuk to a higher court, leiihlm his bazoo or else keep his ;|aw to himself now and forevermore. All in favor o' ran proceedin’ as orthorised by the law, say I. ’ ” Every said “I,” “Contrary, ‘No.” Nobody said “ No.” “The motion’s carried unanimously, an' ihs court rules that there hsiu’fc nothin’ to

prevent the tryin’ of the case. Grip yer fins.” The candidates joined hands. 4 ‘ Amos Peabody, do you solemenly swear that ye’ll freeze to ’Mandy forever* and ever ? Thet ye’ll love ’er, and purvie’e fur’er an treat ’er squar and white, accordin’ to the rules an’ regulations set down to govern sich cases in the laws o’ the United Stages ?” “ Yaas, sir ; I do sir.” *• Thet fixes your end o’ the bargain. ’Mandy Thomas, do you solemnly swa’ar that ye’ll hang on to Amos for all cornin’ time, that ye’ll miss him in sickness and be squar to him in wellness, that ye’ll be to him a good, true, honest, up-an’-up wife, under the penalties prescribed by the laws for ihe punishment of sich offences. D> you swa’ar this “ I swa’ar I will.” “ Then, by the power in me vested as Justice o’ the Peace, in an’ fur this precinct, I pronounce you, Amos Peabody* husband, an’ you ’Mancy Thomas, wife, an’ legalize ye to remain as sich now ah’ furevennore, an’ ye’ll stand committed till the fees and costs in the case be paid in full.”

The fees and costs were adjusted, and, after receiving the congratulations of the assembly, the newly-made husband and wife departed for the cabin up the creak.