The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-21
AN EMBARRASSED GROOM.
His Bride Couldn't Write and He
Couldn't Locate His Coin.

Four young women and two men standing
al the marriage license clerks desk in the
county clerks office yesterday afternoon
created considerable amusement for those
who were on the inside Of the railing as
the bride-to-be refused to sign her name
to the book before a license could be is
sued. The young prospective bride was at
tired in white and wore white hose and
white shoes and sailor hat. Her bridesmaid
was also attired in white and wore a huge
blue ribbon around her sailor hat. A large
amount OF gum added interest to the en-
treaties made TO the bride to induce her
to sign the document.
The license was prepared and the would
be groom crimped his fingers while he
scrubbed his signature The girl was then
asked to sign the book. but she puckered
her upper lip and said she could not write.
The clerk told her to touch the top of the
pen while he made her mark II won't do
It," she said, and backed up against the
counter and pouted.
Her husband-to-be laughed at her and
this added fuel to the fire of indignation.
The bridesmaid and her friends gathered
chewed gum and gently poked her right
fingers into the bride-elect's shoulder told
her the necessity of signing the book. Still
the young woman was obdurate and pouted
more. The threatened hitch in the pro-
ceedings ruffied the tanned forehead of
the expectant groom ana holding two
to his fancee and told her ne was ready TO
plank down the coin for the bit OF paper
IL she would make her mark. The brides
maid giggled a few cadenzas and told how
brave she would be If she was only in the
others place. Another man approached the
counter with his witness to secure license
and this interruption was the opening for
fresh entreaties by the husband-to-b be A
few words were spoken in her ear and she
smiled and agreed TO make her mark.
While she touched the pen, which was the
last necessary act to secure the license. the
husband-to-be fingered in his pockets for
one pocket worn one-dollar bill and from
another he brought forth silver dollar.
together with a few matches and lucky
stones. The next search resulted in his
right hand bringing to light a piece of
string and a bunch of cigarette papers.
Down into his right coat pocket he dove
black cloth BY this time he was ali in a
tremble and frightened stare crept over
his face. He looked at his wife-to-be and
then at the other members of the party
while he placed a few soiled streaks on his
rubber collar and jerked violently at his
flaming red neck tie. All pockets ransacked
several times did not produce more money
and a. he handed the clerk the two dollars
he said he had two-dOllar bill and more
money when he came In, but ii had evil
IDENTIFY slipped from his pocket.
The bride stood back from the counter
and stroked her face with her handker-
chief. Her bridesmaid rushed to her and
said:
1T didn't hurt you did it? told you it
wouldn't hurt TO make your mark"
The party FASTENED 10 Justice Shocks Of
flee and en- route was augmented by q few
other friends and another blushing couple
10 be married at the same time. After an
hours wait, during which time the young
man reDlenished his purse. Justice Smock
arrived and the knots were hurriedly tied
while the bridesmaid and the other friends
smothered an overwhelming desire 10
laugh.