Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-02-18
SCOTCH MARRIAGES.
Some Odd Details of Welded Life In the
Land of Cakes.

Some Odd Details of Welded Life In the
Land of Cakes.
The marriage market for 1895 has been
more than usually busy. This doubtless
is owing to the extra work which has pre-
vailed during the year. According to one
registrar, marriages fiuctuate to a very
large extent with trade. Christmas and
the New Year season are invariably associ-
ated with marriages. During the latter
season many of the poorer classes enter in
to the bonds of marriage with as little con-
Germ as they would change their lodgings
The serious aspect of the contract and It's
responsibilities never seem to trouble their
heads. In many cases it is all matter OF
convenience Indeed city registrar de-
clares that seven out of every ten mar
riages, in his opinion, have little to do
with love. In his long experience he had
met with many cases where couples got
"spliced'' and not only had no home to
90 to, but had barely enough to get their
supper. This is especially so among
young couples, and, by the way, it may
here be stated that boy and girl marriages
| in towns are on the increase. During the
year Just closed q considerable number of
youths from 19 and even younger have
been married Before many months were
oyer-in some instances it was but few
weeks-they were applicants to the parish
council or Society For Improving the Con-
dition of the Poor for help. A couple ap-
peared at one of the offices to have their
fourth child registered, and neither of
I them was over 81
1t is surprising to find in these days of
education how ignorant many people are
when they visit the registrar. Not few
are unable to sign their names. Some are
unable to give the name or hour of birth
of the child they wish to register. In fill
ing up marriage schedules some ludicrous
answers are given. For instance, q couple
was asked if they were related, and an
swered, Eyes, we live up the same close. !"
A highlander who was asked if his father
was living said, "Ho she lives in ia hee-
lans." av La
Incidents which have comic and tragic
ending occurred throughout the year. In
] the summer party attended one of the
offices to get married by special license.
The bridegroom begged to be excused for a
few minutes and left the room. As he did
not return search was instituted. After
ransacking several public, houses and to-
bacco shops the truant was found by the
mother in law sobbing out his heart in the
vicinity of the Castle rock and was drag
ged back to his fate An intending bride
groom recently poisoned himself on the
T morning of his wedding day. The pool
fellow had two claimants for his hand and
, thought that he would be happier without
either Of them. A real love match was re
corded some weeks ago, one which woult
. form q grand subject for novelist. Tht
, two were married on their deathbedl They
had grown up together, knowing not th,
. time when they did not love each other
l Both were victims of consumption, ant
being conscious that their end was nea
they desired to die in the bonds of wed
lock.
One day well known street musician
presented himself at an office and regis
tered his wife's death and to the surpris
of the registrar turned up next morning
seeking the requisite form to marry an
!, other woman. This sort of thing happen
d more frequently than most people think.
The ages of brides and bridegrooms forr
curious and interesting study. The ay
g erage in several offices for the fair sex run
l. from 21, while the average for the sterne
brides and bridegrooms runs about 40 an
70. Some of the latter have been marie
II three and four times. 1t has often bee
said that girl gives up hope at 80, but
!. the registers Of marriages prove anythin
they show that spinsters of 30 and upwar
are much sought after. Marry in Ma
u aud rue for aye" seems still to hold goot
a. This month is the dullest in the season
but with the advent of June the busine.
begins again. Fashionable marriages hay
= greatly increased in number and displa,
\ At a marriage between the daughter of
\ Glasgow distiller and city brewer the
y were more cabs than were ever seen at al
= general assembly sitting in the same neigl
, borhood. d.-Dundee Advertiser.