The Me'or Einayim raised an orphaned boy in his home, and he wanted him to marry an orphaned girl who was raised in the home of the Magid of Mezeritch zy"a. The two tzadikim were discussing when and where the wedding could be held, and the Me'or Einayim said, "I am willing to make the chasuna at any time and in any place."
The Magid responded, "Good. But I want you to know that since I am going to have the young couple living in my home, I insist that you pay your fair share."
The Magid insisted that the Me'or Einayim collect enough money from his chasidim to provide a dowry, as well as to cover the wedding expenses. After raising a nice sum, the Me'or Einayim found himself in a village that had no mikvah, so he gave all the money he had for them to build one.
When he returned to the Magid empty-handed, he told him, "Instead of money, I am giving the young couple this mitzvah as their dowry."
However, the Magid did not accept this, and the Me'or Einayim had to raise funds a second time. This time, he managed to raise the full amount, plus an additional 40 rubles, and he handed the agreed-upon amount over to the Magid.
As he left, he heard the Magid telling his wife, "The mechutin has fulfilled his promise to pay the dowry. We must at least give a nice present. I think you should give them your silver Shabbos candlesticks. From now on, you can light in copper ones."
The Rebbitzen started to cry. She said, "For many years, I have welcomed Shabbos with these candlesticks. How can I now start doing so in such a dishonorable way?"
The Me'or Einayim then came back in, and he gave the extra 40 rubles to the Magid to use for a wedding gift. The Magid was very happy, and he said, "I have to pay you something!"
He then gave him a bracha that he should merit having children.
That year, he bore his son, Rav Mordechai of Chornobyl zy"a.