The day arrived, and Biddy, arrayed in her best snuff-color, with
ribbons and laces to match, stood up with him of her choice, to
pronounce those vows which should make them one, even though the
ceremony should be performed by a Protestant.
"Will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?" spake the reverend
gentleman, in a clear, distinct tone.
"Ah! kape on, kape on!" shouted the enraptured Pat; "don't be throublin
yesilf with questions; dear knows it's mesilf that's in it;" and his
smiling face was mirrored in numerous brass buttons, which were hanging
around his buff vest.
As soon as the old gentleman could get his voice again, for the
boisterous joy of Pat, be turned to the trembling Biddy.
"Do you take this man to be your lawful husband, and leaving all others,
will you cleave unto him alone?"
"Indade, your Riverence!" exclaimed Biddy, "I'll be afther claving him
all the days of me life! It's not mesilf, sure, that was always born and
reared in the great city of Cork, that'll be doing things by halves!"
and in her happiness she caught Pat around the neck, giving him a smack,
which might have been attributed to the opening of the bottle of whiskey
with which Mr.
Pages:
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74