The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-23
MARRIED $4,000 PEOPLE.
A SQUIRE WHO HAS TIED 1000
NUPTIAL KNOTS.

Incidents at d Southern Gretna Green.
From so Cents to $40 Charged for
Marrying Runaway Couples This
squire's Record Rivals That of the
Famous Scotch Blacksmith one
Kentucky Bellies Exploit.
MdsonUiHe (Ky) Letter in Chicago Tribune
For long time the village on the other
side of the river had been a source Of fas-
cination, there seemed to be only few
houses perched upon the side OF the hill,
each one of which lwas striving to Outdo its
neighbor in color and architecture There
was one straight up and down affair which
little apart from the main r cluster of
houses, and which had, q dstyla that spoke
something on this wise: lss Just look at me
am sky blus~ Sc -.
| We went to Aberdeen; Eve" were six
women and one mau. Fancy the moral
courage of that man that did not falter be-
fore the undertaking of plunging into the
mysteries of mysterious little village and
explaining the same TO three young women
cousins and three other young women who
we're not in the least cousinly.
IN THE SOURCES OFFICE.
1t is hardly necessary to say that we
| turned our faces toward the house of the
Squire" the one object Of interest in Aber-
| deem. A plain, brown house 1t was at the
end of "Main street" and next to the hotel
Its front door was set squarely in the center
of the side that faced the south. and there
| were two windows, with brown shutters, on
either side of the door.
The squire himself answered our ring and
babe US enter. He looked i'll that day and
explained that he was but just getting out
| of the clutches of the grip; be was tall and
thin, with small eyes and heavy lids; his
hair was white aud his face scanned with
the age of Is or 80 winters.
"How long have been hereW said the
squire. Il have been here in this house
thirty years. WAS born within few
miles Of Aberdeen and have never been 100
away from home in my life. Yes, I've been
right here and done a good deal toward
helping people out of trouble"
cor into it," l could not resist saying.
The old squire chuokled. 20, hope not
| When people come to get m arrled and don't
seem to know their business, or are too
young, | send them back home to their
, mothers"
That was an outrageous lie, and knew
| it, but the squire was in pious mood and
we were obliged to listen to illustrations of
the conscientious discharge of duty while
we were all mentally commenting on case
| after case where irreparable mischief had
been done by the same conscientious squire
for the paltry sum Of so cents, for bag of
| potatoes or basket OF corn.
| MARRIAGES BY WHOLESALE.
Just about 1000 copies-between 6, 900
and 1000 couples-pve married in my
time" Squire Beasley continued, with not
| a little show Of pride 30, mol Never had
any trouble ct all. Those stories about
| people pursuing the runaway couple, and
| threatening me, and all that, are newspaper
rkC I,nfk knlt go
bosh!
| Never had any trouble at all; marry
| people right here in the Office, at the hotel
or on the ferryboat; it does not take long,
| and always carry few certificates in my
| pocket to have them handy.
| II always give this to the groom" he ex-
| planned. II am paid from so cents to $40
for my work. A fellow from Chicago gave
me $4O-thats the most ever did get. I'd
like a few more runawsys from there. Mol
| | never take anything but money!
Another lie; 1t was positi vely oppressive,
| but it was evident that the old man sus-
pected one OF US might be wielder Of the
pen, and consequently, as l said before, it
was pious day with him.
THE SQUIRE WAS DISAPPOINTED
There was pause, during which won>
| dered how long it had been since the pillow
cases drawn over some very heavy looking
pillows, had been washed. decided it
| was fully six weeks when | heard the old
squire say to our young man; II thought
| you all had case for me when you came
in; it seems that out of this crowd you
| might be able.n
The young man turned pale, and, slipping
| from his seat on the window sill, began to
| pull on his overcoat; he jsrked it up at the
back Of the neck, drew it down behind, but.
| toned 1t up hastily, and, thrusting his hands
| int his nnCkafa ttThaaa Ill
very nice. squire, but my girl isn't here!n
| "Wretch!" some one muttered.
That Kansas City girl Isuppose," said
some other one.
| 20, no ! his latest is in Omaha! n explained
third. while the squire continued:
"It's an easy thing TO do, it takes only
| few words and there you are. am called
up at any time OF the night, and, sick or
well, must respond TO the impatient knock
at my door. Not long ago, before got
dressed and answered a knock, the fellow
| had nearly backed out; he hung around out
side, while the girl came in and coaxed him
to follow. So you think you wouldn't like
To-
The young man shivered and looked be-
seechingly around upon the crowd.
"For heavens sake |" he exclaimed, girls.
get me out OF this" and so, as We said our
good-bYs to the squire, and had the pleas
ure Of seeing our young man revive with
the first breath OF the fresh air without, we
thought OF those 1000 couples chat had
crossed the same threshold and wondered if
they were not sorry they had ever stood be-
fore the august presence Of the squire.
A KENTUCKY ELoPEMENT.
Here is an Aberdeen story with the charm
of being perfectly true There was bright,
pretty girl of II. the daughter of wealthy
people, in beautiful, proud Kentucky
town. This pretty girl was desperately in
love with young man, who for various
reasons, did not meet the parents ideal of a
husband for their daughter. and conse-
quently the course of love was any thing but
smooth for the lovers.
The young woman vowed she would
marry the man Of her choice; the parents
vowed with equal emphasis that she should
not. The parents tried to WOO her from
her lover with new dresses, jewelry and all
things that delight young woman's fancy.
Finally they fitted her out with an en-
tirely new and elegant wardrobe, and sent
her to Kansas City to visit an uncle The
doting parents drew deep breaths Of relief;
the plan seemed to be perfect success