The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

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THE PHONOSCOPE September, 1898 flftarrieb b\> pbonocjrapb Barclay, a little town in Northern Manitoba, has achieved distinction. It has established a record. It is the only town in Canada where marriages are performed by phonograph. Barclay is near the southwestern shore of Lake Winnepegosis, within sight of Duck Mountain. The map-makers have ignored its being, and even the postal authorities have not honored it with recognition. Few knew of its existence until recently. Now it is the talk of all Canada. The boom is so great that John Barclay is said to have amassed a fortune. John Barclay settled there years ago, commenced in a modest way, and by perseverance acquired an extensive farm. He started with six log huts. Around these as a nucleus a village sprang up. The town grew to be of such importance that it was added to the parish of the Rev. Arthur M. Blackwood, the circuit minister. Once a year the farmers -went to Winnipeg to dispose of the season's crop and buy clothing and food to tide them over the long cold weather. Once in four years there would be an influx of people from the surrounding country, to attend the meetings of the Rev. Mr. Blackwood. On such occasions he would perform the rites of baptisms, the burial and marriage ceremonies, and minister to the spiritual wants of his congregation. It was a noteworthy event. Youths tried to arrange their engagements to meet the coming of the parson. Many a maiden's mind was hastened to a definite answer. But it was inconvenient. If a person died and the parson had left town even a few minutes before, his virtues had to wait four years for ministerial extolment. If a maiden tarried in reply to love's urging, cruel fate repaid her for her indecision. But there seemed no help for it. John Barclay could suggest nothing. The town was not rich enough to afford a preacher. Barclay had a son, John Barclay, Jr. Like his father and some other men, he loved. The object of his affection was Miss Lillian Armitage, the daughter of the foreman of the farm. John, Jr., was up-to-date, read all the periodicals his father could afford, and his attention had several times been called to the phonograph. He determined to get married somehow. Brother Blackwood was three years and a half distant. By chance he saw an advertisement of the phonograph. That gave him an idea. Why couldn't folks be married by phonograph ? He consulted by letter Augustus Stauffer, the Magistrate of Winnipeg. "According to the statutes of Winnipeg and Her Majesty, and under the circumstances, " replied the Magistrate, "you are justified in the course which you propose to pursue." This decision carried weight with the Armitage family. Not that the girl needed urging, but the father and mother were conservative. Their consent gained, Father Barclay readily acquiesced. The day was set, invitations were sent, the gods were propitious. In fact so favorable were the circumstances that Miss Edna Claverton, also of Barclay, and Mr. Harry Pringle decided to take the same measures. A double wedding was announced. Then other young men of the neighborhood conceived the idea of getting married in the s?< e way. So the country was aroused and turned out in force. On the wedding morning wagons of every description dotted the plains. Every available farm-house was utilized. People came in processions. There was not rs>om enough in the church. So they took farmer Barclay's barn, carried the pulpit over from the church, set the phonograph on top and borrowed an organ. Scoffers declared the machine would not work. Calamity howlers were sure nothing good could eome of such an unheard-of proceeding. But the people most interested paid little attention. The hour came, the choir sang "Blest Be the Tie that Binds," and the young folks lined up before the altar and awaited with beating hearts while the farmer pressed the button. Alas! the machine began to play "God Save the Queen." It was heartrending. But farmer Barclay came to the rescue. He requested every one present to sing "God Save the Oueen," which they did with a right good will. John, Jr., had changed the cylinder, meanwhile, and this time no one was disappointed. The "marrying machine" was a success. John and Lillian, Harry and Edna were radiant in their praise. They almost fought afterward for the possession of the machine which had been so instrumental to their happiness. But no one questioned that they were married legally and in order. For had not a justice of the peace pronounced the words into the ear of the machine, and did not the cylinder give back his very words, the fathers supplving the blanks left for the names of the contracting parties? Six other couples were married the same evening. The news spread like fire. Cupid was again victorious. Eight weddings on the first day was a pretty srood record. But more were to follow. The fame of the "marrying machine" spread rapidly, and within three months twenty-eight marriage ceremonies had been performed by the new method — fifty-six lives made happy by a single thought. The Rev. Mr. Blackwood arrived unexpectedly in town. No one knows to this day how he ever broke the continuity of the circuit. People hint, that he was shocked at the inroad upon his legitimate fees. However, he came, and his wrath was great. He told the young people theyliad not been married by the laws of the Church of England; that God would not favor nor prosper unions so contracted; resigned his pastorate and shook the dust of Barclay from his feet. The young folks did not worry over that. Thev have made improvements in the service since the day of the double wedding. They sent to Chicago and obtained the shortest ceremony known to man, so that they rival the Milwaukee clergyman in the number of marriages they can accomplish in a single day. Edison's blessings to mankind are enormous. Don't forget the marrying phonograph when you make up the list. Hew Corporations The Edison American Phonograph Company is the title of a new corporation which will have its headquarters in Kansas City, Mo.; Capital stock, $20,000. ' Incorporated by W. A. Remfry, T. J. Guth and J. Harvey Foster. People's Slot Machine Company has been organized at Portland, Me., for the purpose of dealing in a weighing, lifting and grip machine, operated by placing a coin in a slot; capital stock, $500,000, nothing paid in. Officers; President, W. 11. Jordon, Treasurer, John T. Fagan. IT IS FALL! Written by CAL STEWART Dedicated to Mrs. Ada Tavlor Gibbs, Annapolis, 5Id. The days are getting shorter, and the summer birds are leaving. The wind sighs in the tree tops, as though all nature was grieving, The leaves they drop in showers, there's a blue haze over all; And a feller is reminded that once again it's Fall. It is a glorious season ; the crops most gathered in, The wheat is in the cranary, and the oats are in the bin, A feller just feels splendid, right in harmony with all, The old cider mill a humin'; 'gosh, I know it's Fall. I hear the Bob White whistling down by the water mill, While dressed in gorgeous colors is each vallev knoll and hill ; ' 1 The cows they are a lowing, as they slowly wander home, And the hives are just a bustin' with the honeyin the comb. Soon be time for huskin' parties, or an apple pare | ing bee, And the signs of peace and plenty are just splendid for to see. The flowers they are drooping, soon there won't be none at all; Old Jack Frost has niped them, and by that I know it's Fall. The musk rat has built himself a house down bv the old mill pond, The squirrels are laying up their store from the chestnut trees beyond; While walking through the orchard I can hear the ripe fruit fall, There's an air of quiet comfort, that onlv comes with fall. The wind is cool and bracing, and it makes vou feel first-rate, And there's work to keep y ou going from early until late; So you feel like giving praises unto him who doeth all. Nature heaps her blessings on vou at this season and it's Fall. The nights are getting frosty and the fire feels pretty good. I like to see the flames creep up among the burning wood; Awav across the hill-tops I can hear the hoot owl call, He is looking for his supper, I guess he knows it's Fall. And though the year is getting old, and the trees will soon be bare, There's a satisfactory feeling of enough and some to spare, For. there's still some poor and needy who for our help do call, So we'll share with them our blessings and be thankful that it's Fall.