Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-30

he began issuing licenses. From fifty to 100
licenses are issued every week. Fourteen
licenses were issued Tuesday. One day last
week fifteen were issued. And so it goes.
Hardly an hour passes that a blushing
girl in her best dress doesn't walk timidly
between the big. swinging. doors of the
recorders office by the side of a happy
asks at the clerks Window:
is this where you get the marriage IL
censes?"
Nine times out of ten, the grantors Of
licenses say, that is the first thing the
groom says. The couple are then invited
inside the railing. They seat themselves
in chairs In front of the license table and
the ordeal begins. Usually a girl doesn't
tell her age without hesitating, and gig
glances with the man she is about to
marry. But one of the brides recently
seemed very reluctant to answer this ques-
ton. The clerk had to ask her twice how
old she was. The first time she pretended
not to hear and the second tine she said:
Just put it down that I'm over IS"
Now although she was not n bad look
ing young woman and was still well within
the manageable age. 1t was plain that
she was over Is; Finally, when the clerk
I'm 30 years old"
Then she turned q look upon her future
husband that said: How can you allow
The groom's age was Is.
One of the grooms that applied for a
license Inc OtlSr Gay WAS Il TAIL, straight,
broad shouldered man. with muscles that
stood out prominently in his arms and
legs. His hair was coal black and straight
and his complexion was swarthy. When
the clerk asked his nationality he replied
that he was Il Cherokee Indian, formerly
Of Vinita, but now of Kansas City. He
was q years old and an American woman
who accompanied him was 80, a fairly good
looking brunette.
Occasionally a bridegroom enters the re-
corder's office with an angry look on his
face. He appears to be guarding his bride
jealousy and lowers savagely at the man
that dares SO much as look toward his
bride. He seems to think everybody is
watching him suspiciously and is ready to
fare up and fight at a moments warning.
Two couples came into the office together
young and rather giddy. but pretty enough
to atone for 1t. Two lawyers who Were
office caught the eyes of the young women
and smirked at them. The girls giggied.
While the clerk was filling out the ap-
plication, a lively filtration was kept Up
between the lawyers and the prospective
brides. AS they went from the recorders
office both girls appeared much amused
and the two grooms stopped at the door
and looked back. They were heard to
ask: Which one was it?"
There seems to be an irresistible temp
tation." said one of the recorders deputies.
Ito fiirt with a bride. l have often no.
ticed men who happened to be in here
when a wedding party came for a license.
trying to attract the attention of the
girl"
An actor in '"Tennessee's Pardner" was
one Of the applicants the other day. The
beauty OF the young woman who accom-
panied him attracted a great deal of at
tention and she was richly and handsome
ly dressed. When the clerk was about tc
date the application he caught his arm
and said, nervously:
Cant you date that back just one day?"
The clerk explained that it would be i'm
possible.
You see" said the actor. some of the
members Of the company caught me kiss
ing her yesterday and i told them we were
married"
Some oddly assorted Couples apply to the
license clerk. The other day Il short,
young, thin, dyspeptic man, who wouldn't
weigh much over l0 pounds, was married
TO a tall, buxom widow who weighed $50
IL she weighed a pound. The reverse of
this spectacle is frequently seen. A very
tall. thin man led forward the other day q
tip the beam at a century,.
Waiting for the Judge is one of the
most trying ordeals for the young couple.
About one-fifth of those who go to the
court house for marriage licenses want TO
have the ceremony performed at once. A
deputy recorder Is then dispatched for a
judge of the county court or one of the
circuit judges. While waiting for him the
couple try to look calm and unconcerned.
but it is usually a failure. The faces OF
both generally, get red and they hitch
about nervously in their chairs. An at
tempt at conversation is unsuccessful.
Sometimes. when they think no one Is
looking. a squeeze of the hand is ex-
changed between the shy parties.
About the queerest case / recollect was
some time ago" said one of the clerks who