The reason why so few marriages are happy is because young ladies spend their time in making nets, not in making cages.—Swift.
See also Church discipline; Domestic finance; Trouble.
MARRIAGE FEES
A poor couple who went to the priest to be wedded were met with a demand for the marriage fee. It was not forth-coming. Both the consenting parties were rich in love and in their prospects, but destitute of financial resources. The father was obdurate. "No money, no marriage."
"Give me l'ave, your riverence," said the blushing bride, "to go and get the money."
It was given, and she sped forth on the delicate mission of raising a marriage fee out of pure nothing. After a short interval she returned with the sum of money, and the ceremony was completed to the satisfaction of all. When the parting was taking place the newly-made wife seemed a little uneasy.
"Anything on your mind, Catherine?" said the father.