Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-12-20
A Strange Marriage.

The story Of strange marriHg1 Is
told in a dispatch from Erie. Saturday
morning, when Justice Freeman, OF
Eric. opened Court, there sat on q bench
a weli-dressed and beautiful young
woman, When the cases on hand were
disposed of she asked his honor if he was
duly qualified to perform the marriage
rite. Receiving an affirmative reply,
she beckoned to an exceedingly uncouth
middle-aged man sitting at the back of
the room and said 10 the Justice, 81
want you to marry me to this man.. ="
The man went forward and stood before
the desk, looking the picture Of sheep
ishness. "Is this the husband OF your
choice, madam" inquired the Justice,
looking at the couple with intense sur
prise 81 believe so. Are You
the husband of my choice, Mr.
rraynor!n "Yes, ma'am, am, replied
the man, with sly grin. Justice Free
man informed the woman that II was
customary TO hand in the names and adj
dresses Of contracting parties. The
couple then stepped back a few PAGES and
conferred for q moment Then they sat
down at table and the woman handed
the man sheet OF paper. He made n
movement which the Justice interpreted
to mean that he was not acquainted with
the art Of writing. A contemptuous
smile passed over the woman's face, and,
taking the pom, she scrnwled the names
Of Amelia A. Royse, OF Cincinnati, and
Charley Traynor, OF Utica, N. Y. Then
the couple stood up aud were made man
and wife according to the laws OF Penn
sylvania.
The husband stood as though bewil'
dered. When the ceremony was com.
pleted, the Justice produced marriage
certificate, but the bride begged him to
desist. "You will mako record OF this
marriage, sir, and that will be OF more
value than this sentimental and silly
picture. card, said she. Then she turned
to the groom and intimated that he would
lose his train il he wasted too much time.
He smirkcd and remarked that il would
not distress him much 20 miss his train.
lie was coolly informed that his absence
was preferred to his company and that
he was to 20 about his business as quick
ly as possible. Some papers were handed
to him, and, after few words ntterd In
low tone, the man took his hat, babe
the bride good-day and left the Conrt.
room.
Tho bride remained: 81 think you
think some explanation Is due you, she
said to the Justice. "There is nothing
wrong in all this--no crime, no despair,
no broken hearts, nothing tragic. | am
simply putting II out OF my power to
say yes to the only man on earth it
would please and hurt me to marry
only man on earth ] care for. For rea-
sons / have no desire TO tell cannot
marry the gentleman without bringing
great sorrow upon him and me in the
future; and, as am only woman cap
able of being tempted to marry the man
/ love, | have married stranger, and
placed myself beyond the reach of
temptation. This is all there is in it.
| shall go home and live as i always
have lived, and love as i always have
loved. II is not likely shall see this
man Traynor again. He perfectly un-
derstands he was hired to marry me
and then go about his business"
The astonished magistrate was re-
quested to forward copies OF papers to
the Baltimore Sun, the Washington
Critic and the Denver Tribune. She
seemed particularly anxious that her
marriage should be made public, also
the fact that she was remaining in the
room after her husband left ii to catch a
train. Justice Freeman's theory is that
insanity is the trouble she feared to
bring upon herself and the man she
loves.