Married Twice in One Day

HARDMAN, RIDENOUR, BLACKFORD

Posted By: Jacie Thomsen (email)
Date: 3/20/2009 at 15:59:24

Tipton Advertiser 11 March 1854 pg 2 col.2

At the residence of Mr. Henry Hardman,on Thursday,the 2d inst.,by Rev.Blackford,Cyrus Ridenour to Miss Cynthia Hardman,both of this county.“There is a joy beyond all that the mistrel hath told,When two that are linked in one heavenly tie With brows never changing and hearts never cold,Love through all ills and love on --till they die.”

There are a few facts connected with the above marriage and a tinge of romance that is to true and to good to be lost.We therefore publish them that the public may know and future generations learn that Once upon a time there happened in the county of Cedar,that one Cyrus,the diminutive,was married unto one Cynthia the great,twice upon the same day--and it came to pass in this wise that one Henry had gone out into the highways and to the farm houses and called in his guests to
make merry for the honor of Cynthia who had spent the summer days of her life with him,and was now about to go out with Cyrus,the diminutive.
The guests had assembled,many smiling and bright faces were there.Henry,the master of the feast,and of the marriage ceremony,had given express orders how matters should be conducted.But lo!and behold while Henry and his good old lady were in another department of the house,and Cain,their elder son,was out at the manger,making convenient arrangements for his own gallant charger for he had been dispatched to bring in the groomsman,and had just returned from the journey,the ceremony was performed and Cyrus and Cynthia were pronounced husband and wife.
They were receiving the congratulations of their friends,when Henry and his good old lady entered the room.They were informed what had taken place,and it displeased them much,and Henry ’s brow was knit with wrath and displeasure,and he said unto Parson Blackford -“It is not lawful for thee to marry this couple without license for remember that Cain had the license in his pocket and was out acting as groom.Warm altercation took place between Henry and the parson and the parson went away displeased so much so that he would not participate in the marriage dinner,for Henry had forbid the parson from making any further
explanations about his domicile. The bountiful meal was over,and the day was fast passing away.The legality of their marriage was discussed with ingenuity,talent,and warmth until Henry,
the master of the day,decreed that it was illegal and he would not have them live there in adultery. So he talked loudly and long about sending for a Justice of the Peace to complete in a lawful manner the work which the parson supposed he had done according to the law of the land.But when Henry grew calm and serene,
he remembered that Cain,his elder son,had given to the parson,ere he hasteth away,the license,and behold Henry fainted himself in a tight place! So he wisely concluded that he would call his messenger and send him forth to summon the parson again to his residence and in his presence:and he came although reluctantly.
He ordered the parties again upon the door.Part of Henry ’s invited guests,for there were many,were in the dining room still feasting. Henry crieth out,with a loud voice -Hold on until all my guests shall have come in.The parson obeyed and when all were assembled in the room,and Henry beheld that all things were
right and in readiness,he commanded that the ceremony should proceed and it did. And Cyrus the diminutive and Cynthia the great, were bound twice with the silken chord and heavenly tie,upon the same day and it pleased Henry and all present well.It then appeared satisfactory to all concerned, and Henry exclaimed how good a thing it is for brethren to dwell in peace together.So he and the parson set down at the table in brotherly love and peace,and ate long and heartily
together. The remainder concerning the marriage will be written in another Book. A.R.