Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-07-16
An UNATTENDED marriage

~ O YOU think, father. that nasty
II marriages always turn out
well, no. not always. l know
case where marriage that was not
intended turned out very WELL
Not intended? How could that have
becn?''
"There was young fellow Che was
just 10 years old, and I'll call MN
Bob made up his mind that his lot
would be bachelorhood. You see. his
father and mother had married young.
his father had died young, and. the
mother being only nineteen years older
than Bob. they were more like broth
err and sister than mother and son.
For this reason Bob secuted marriage
for him.
Bob was reading law. One day he
went to court. as was his custom, TO
familiarize himself with the methods
of procedure. 1t was court of chan
Gerry. The case being tried before the
Judge was claim Of young girl
to the estate Of an uncle who had re-
Gently died. The girl was in court
and prettier little piece of the Lords
handiwork never was turned out. AT
least Bob thought so, and he couldn't
keep his eyes off her. 1t wasn't long
before the girl (we'll call her Lucy no.
ticed that Bob was looking at her in
way that said plainly as words. 1 ad-
mire you profoundly She blushed
little. looked away. then glanced side
wise at him again to see the same eX-
preston of admiration. She blushed
again. which indicated that she re-
ciprocated. At any rate Bob so in
terpreted it.
1.-The maker Of the will had left the
bulk of his property to his only broth
er's son (we'll call him John Doe and
small sum to Lucy, but as the broth
er had married beneath him the tes-
tator had provided for a passing Of all
the property to the oldest son Of his
sisters child. Lucy. AS it would be
unsafe to leave the matter long open.
Lucy not being married. the will pro-
vided that II Lucy were married when
she came of age the estate was to be
left in the hands of trustees for three
years. If within that limit she had
son, the estate was to go to that
son.
How old Is the claimanty asked
the judge.
"'She will be 49, replied her coun-
sci. despondently, at noon to-day
lis she married!
"'No, your honr.'
"'Then,' said the judge, deliberately,
4 see no reason why, after the hour
of noon, l should not set aside her
claim and give judgment to John Doe.
In case there is 10 objection, l will
adjourn the court till 2 o'clock.
ITO see fortune pass away from
this lovely girl was too much for Bob.
He was an impulsive fellow. prone to
decide and act quickly. With scarcely
Il moment for reflection, he grasped
wildly for some method Of delay. If
the girl could appear to be married.
she might at least effect a compromise
by requiring her opponents to prove
that she was not married 1t was half
past 10 o'clock. and her counsel would
have three and half hours to devise
some plan. Bob, as lawyer, knew
this, and though the chance was slen-
der, he staked all on desperate move.
"'Your honor he said. rising, the
claimant is my wife
Judge. attorney, spectators, turned
to Bob in wonder.
"'Have you proofs of your mar
riage:' asked the judge.
mot at hand
''Is that man your husbandY asked
the Judge of Lucy.
IF ever there was irresistible appeal
in mans eyes, it was in Bob's when
he turned them on Lucy. He could
not say to her. This is merely to gain
time so he gave her look which
meant 4 beg of you not to deny what
have stated Lucy's eyes remained
riveted to his. What was passing in
her mind no one knew, She had a de-
cision to make, and all waited breath
lessly to hear it.
Yes she said.
"'And you said the judge. turning
to Bob-'do you acknowledge this Won
an to be your wife?
Then II you were not married be-
fore, you are married now. | give
judgment in favor of the claimant.
Then, and then only. Bob saw that
his intent to stave off a decision had
resulted in his marriage to a girl he
had never seen before. and had never
spoken to.
when the court was adjourned, the
claimant. her mother and Bob went in
to private room for consultation. AL
looked to Bob for an explanation. He
made a confession of the whole mat
ter. There was nothing to be done bu
accept the situation. Bob's credentials
were presented and found to be excel
lent. and the marriage was consum
mated"