Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-31
PATRONS pHEprcAnrxr.
nov the Historian Escsped Trouble On Az
count Of mis- second Marriage

nov tne HISTORIAN Escsped Trouble On A.
count az Mis- second Marriage
10 the raisor Of Th. Evening star,
The recent demise Of James Parton historian
recalls an interesting and somewhat AMUSING
incident OF his life. lie married literary
widow, the sister OF y. p. Willis. the poet. her
nom de plume being "Fannle Fern" thu
most OF her contributions appearing in the New
York Ledger. At the time OF that marriage she
had two young dAughtsrs. the eldest Of whom.
in due time. was welded. aud after hsvins
borne q babe. died, leaving il TO the care Of sAs
younger sister.
All had lived together in the same mansion
at Newburyport, Mass After the dece.se Of
Fanny Fern Mr.. Parton decided 20 brssh up
that household. fearing lest IL might provoks
scandal for him 90 be living in the same home
alone with the surviving daughter Of his wife.
Both. however. were sincerely attached 10 sseh
other and mutually 10 the orphan child. Az
last they determined, being panied BY the sep
aration. 20 become married.
Ihereupon Mr.. Parton. In order 10 avoid
pueiicity. arranged that this event should occur
IN The homo Of an aunt residing in Newbury-
port Accordingly, without any notice Of the
martial purpose, little social gathering Of .
lew choice friends was fixed upon, snaoag whom
shouid be clergyman OF the parish.
After quite lapse Of the evening Mr.. Parton
quietly requested the clergyman 20 Join IN mar
rage himself and has deceased wise's dsugh-
ter.
Have you secured q marriage certificate
rom the county clerk1" inquired the minister.
a.. ny, replied Mr.. Parton. much surprised,
aid not know that wss e-sentiaI"--
er'Alnly responded the Clergyman. III
we're 70 marry You without such a certificate
should be subjected 90 quite q severe pen.ltv"
shall do2''
Only one thing" wa. the reply, .ft you are
pen, oen' on being married tonight The clerk
aSes some miles away. Go 10 a livery stable
hire swift strong team aud IL the clerk is in
bed rouse him up, swear before him that there
Is no impeachment TO your marriage, get Your
eertifeate aud pay the fee Tor IT,
Tins AIR. Parton dad, while much chagriued
and disguised 20 think that his ignorance Of
Massachusetts law or Its strictncss put him 20
SO much trouble. Tho Law as to marriage in
New York state is quite lax. II a man there
introduces woman Rs his wife or registers her
name with has at a hotel as such OF in any other
way Acknowledges himself conjugally bound
to her. the Law HOLDS him thus strictly bound,
though no justice or minister has tied the knot
In due time Mr.. Parton returned with his
certihcate, was legally married and caught the
II o clock train for Boston, where he tarrisd
Tor the night at the fremont House
Among the guests ON that marriage evening
was q lady whose husband. friend Of Mr..
farton's, was LAWYER living In Newburyport,
but DONG business in Boston. He had
not been invited 20 the social gathering
with his wife because Mr.. Parton did
not wish the conjugal event 90 be known and
noticed through the Hub" before he had
slipped away therefrom. But the lady, woman
IKE, could not keep the secret Before she re-
ered abe 'let the cat out OF the bag" Next
morning @arly the lawyer called at the fremont
on ms newly married friend aud said 20 hun:
Parton. If you had condescended 20 invite me
TO your little marital gathering might have
saved you from the liability Of being sent 10
the state prison"
what Is tha2" exclaimed the astounded
groom. How have offendedY''
You have brok,u a Law Of Massachusetts"
wac the reply ''tnaG imposes an Imprisonment
Who marries a daughter of his deceased wife
born by previous union"
WHIST in the world then must I do" asked
the anxious historian, 30 escape this pom
alty2"
My advice il that you dust out Of this city
IN double-ouick time before any mischieyous
fellow gets wind Of your Illegal marriage. TAke
the first train to New York and have the mar
risge ceremony performed over again. Re-
member, too, that you can never once more
put your foot on Massachusetts, soil without
being subject TO arrest and imprisonment for
your ofiense."
Mr.. Parton at once followed this advice.
Next winter the Legislature of Massach usstts
voted TO repeal that stern law. but the governor
vetoed the bill. At the ne 1t session, however, q
special act was passed releasing Mr.. Parton from
penalty, SO that afterward he could freely re-
turn to resume his home In Newburyport,
where be has lately died. BUccLKUcH.