Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-09
LOVES LABOR LOST"
A Bridegroom Elect shaken BY His
Fair Idol at the Last Moment, He
Returns His Certificate to Wed.

Fair Idol at the Last Moment, II
Returns His Certificate TO Wed.
That well worn adage which read
something like, Man proposes; woma
disposes, u is seldom more clearly and i'm
pressively demonstrated than it was yes
terday by one of those interesting Incl
dents which occur occasionally at tn
county clerks office. 1t came abou
over marriage license of course, an,
while it had tinge of romance it was o
the sad and alwsys>to>be regretted order
The Introductory circumstances to tn
affair happened on the first day of tn,
present month, when fine looking
bright faced fellow came whist
ling into the county clerks of
fee and Deputy Clerk Cooke, wht
was alone in the office at the time, turned
instinctively to the marriage license reg
lster. The happy appearance of the Wis
itor was enough to denote the object o
his mission, and it was with an impress
sion that he was preparing an nstrumen
that was to bring JOY to two souls tina
he wrote upon the blank license
two names. both of lie Claire
lows, affixed the official seal O
authority, collected the customary fee
of ~ aud sent the recipient on his way
rejoicing. The prospective groom
seemed in perfect ecstacy OF delight; Sc
Joyous were his feelings indeed that he
whistled continuously all the time he was
In the office, and after he departed his
merry notes could be heard as far as the
ear could detect the sound.
This was not so of the young man who
entered the county clerks office lust be-
fore the closing hour last evening. As
was the case on the occasion of the visit
described, Mr.. Cooke was alone, as it
was past office hours and the others had
gone home. The parsonage who entered
was identical with he who had made the
call alluded to. But he was of q differ
ent frame of mind and his expression of
countensnce showed it, Walking up to
the counter he pulled a long official en-
veiope from his pocket and passing it
over to Cooke he said
Il want to return this p"
Cooke recognized the visitor and
thought the envelope contained simply
the certificate of marriage which is At
tached to the license and is to be SEM
to the county clerk within a specified
time by the person performing the GERS
mony. In scanning the instrument, how>
ever, Clerk Cooke found it was simply
the license just as he had made it 0nt,
and with an expression of surprise he
asked the young man what he desired
to be done with it.
Il just wanted to bring it back and
leave it here" he replied, I've got no
use for it,"
But we haven't either, demonstrated
the clerk. You had better keep 1t, as
yon may need it some time in the fn,
ture."
mo won't either, came the emphst,
lie and indignant reply. The girl has
gone back on me; we had a spat snd she
told me she wouldn't get married now.
and that | had better bring this back. So
l took her at her word and here | am"
But If you keep this she NAV chang
her mind, interposed Cooke, the thought
him that he might play the Dart
of peace maker and help Cupid out of
a tight place.
Col dsrned if I will. She's got nv
fander up, and | don't propose to be
fooled with. No. don't want the thing.
She can go to thunder for a Teller; but
she'll never get me now and having
thus relieved Lis mind the deserted lover
hurried out of the office. Cooke put the
license away with the hope that the Young
couple might yet relent and that the sew
cred pathways may be reunited and two
hearts beat with one accord, as was in>
tended on that first day of August. Jim
is Just that kind of fellow. The county.
meanwhile, is ahead the sum of 81.