The record-union., 1891-01-30
CUPID OVERRULED.
Minors Can't Make Love Promiscu-
ousIy, Says Judge Catln.
A Romance From Robbers Hill-Mary
Louisa Saved by Her Brother
-Mary's Beau.

Superior Judge Catlin decided point
Of law yesterday which is likely to cause
CONSERVATION among the young folks.
The habeas corpus proceedings brought
by Antoine Louisa to recover possession
OF his sister Mary-whom he declared
was unlawfully restrained of her liberty
by one X. Lawrence, a resident of Rob-
ber's Hill, near Folsom-was on hearing.
Antoine is only eighteen years of age him.
self, and consequently could not act as
his sisters guardian himself, so he also
had petition before the court asking
that his friend and employer, A. N. Fish,
be appointed her guardian.
Mary, who is comedy little Portuguese
girl. was in court, and, upon being placed
on the stand, stated that she was nearly
seventeen years of age. Lawrence had
not compelled her to remain at his house,
and she was not particular whether she
had guardian or not. She was being
paid no wages by Lawrence, but was sat
istied to assist the latter's wife about the
house in order to learn how to cook and
sew.
MARY HAD A BEAU.
After considerable testimony had been
taken it developed that the real reason
why Antoine wanted to get his sister away
from Lawrences domicile, was because
Mary had q beau whom Antoine did not
think worthy of marrying into the Louisa
family.
Attorney Estabrook, who appeared as
the representative of Lawrence, con-
tended that the brother had no right to
object on this ground.
''She has a right to keep company with
whom she pleases,' asserted the attorney
enthusiastically, land there is no law to
stop her.
Judge Catlin glanced over his specta-
cles at the young attorney,
You think SO, do you?'' he said.
We'll, l can inform you differently.
This young lady is minor, and cannot
do as she pleases."
"But, your Honor" insisted the attor-
ney, that docs not prevent her from talk
ing to and keeping company with whom
she pleases."
NOT HER OWN MISTRESS.
Eyes it does, too replied the Judge,
emphatically. ''She is not her own mis-
tress until she is of age. She cannot keep
company with whom she pleases, with
the view of getting married.
Attorney Estabrook insisted that as
long as she did not get married before
becoming of age, it was all right who
she kept company with. But Judge Cat
that young lady under age could do
nothing of the sort-she could not make
any contracts before becoming of age,
nor promise her hand in marriage
The court then formally decided the
habeas corpus proceedings in the brothers
favor.
James B. Devine, the brothers attor-
ney, suggested that, inasmuch as all of
the witnesses were in court, and it incon-
venienced them considerably to come to
Sacramento, it would facilitate matters to
take up the guardianship proceedings
and dispose of them before adiourning
court.
The court thought this a good idea, and
the whole case was gone over again.
Lawrence took the witness-stand and
said he had always treated the girl well,
and did not compel her TO remain at his
house. He admitted, however, that he
had permitted young man named Baltz,
who bore an
UNSAvoRY REPUTATION
In and about Folsom, to call upon Mary,
and had accompanied the couple to Sacra-
mento couple of weeks ago, to "stand
up for them, as they intended to get
not support wife. They did not get
married, however, because they were re-
fused license on account of the girls
youth.
Again attorney Estabrooll took occasion
to declare that the girl was old enough to
take care of herself, but if any guardian
was needed Lawrence was perfectly COM
petent to look after her interests.
But Judge Catlin didn't think so.
II am not satisfied he said, ''to allow
this young lady to remain with person
who, knowing her to be minor, had en-
couraged her to marry, when it was in
violation of the law, besides knowing
that her intended husband was WORTH
less character who could not support her
after he married her. She is alone in the
world, and in a strange country. Her
brother is her only relative in America,
and think his motive in trying to save
her is very praiseworthy."
Lawrence's attorney then played his
last card.
He vehemently declared that the only
object of the whole proceeding was to
take the girl from Lawrence and place
her in Fish's house, where she would
have to work for nothing.
The Judges mind was made up though,
and he cut further argument short by or
dering that letters of guardianship issue
to Fish.