"Why is dat, boss?" she queried. "Ain't de license all right? An' we is of age."
"Yes, but the man is drunk. Take him away and come back again." Several days later the couple again presented themselves, the man once more obviously intoxicated. "See here, I told you I wouldn't marry you when this man was drunk," the minister said testily. "Don't you come back here till he's sober."
"Well, you see, suh," the woman replied apologetically, "de trufe is dat he won't come less'n he's lit up."
"Well," cried Mrs. Henpeck, "our son is engaged to be married. We will write to the dear lad and congratulate him."
Mr. Henpeck agreed (he dare not do otherwise), and his wife picked up the pen.
"My darling boy," read the son; "what glorious news! Your father and I rejoice in your happiness. It has long been our greatest wish that you should marry some good woman. A good woman is Heaven's most precious gift to man. She brings out all the best in him and helps him to suppress all that is evil."
Then there was a postscript in a different handwriting:
"Your mother has gone for a stamp. Keep single, you young noodle."—Judge.