The Groom’s Armed Ultimatum

Something unusual in a wedding ceremony occurred this morning. A good-looking young fellow hailing from one of the largest cities on Puget Sound came down to Olympia this morning to be married. He entered the house of a clergyman, accompanied by his intended bride. The service had proceeded but a short time when an interruption occurred. Suddenly thrusting his hand into his hip pocket and pulling out a big six-shooter, the groom remarked, in a manner far from jesting: 'I don’t know how you people have been raised, but I understand it is the fashion these days, and I suppose that this here thing called society is the cause of it, that a minister has the first kiss from the bride, but I’ll be jiggered if it’s a going to happen this time, do you see?' The minister was nonplussed for a moment, but in a jiffy there was a mutual understanding all around, and after the ceremony was completed and they were one, the groom tenderly kissed his darling, his beloved, his new-found joy and prize, and turning to minister and witnesses, his voice full of that expression known only to those of you who have been there, said: 'Boys, I believe in a man having his rights; that is all I want, and I invite you all to come and kiss her. That’s my style.'