Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-09
WHY KLNTUcKIANs EL0PE.
Pleasures of Romance-Besides Solves
 Question of Expense.


 Tn the country districts of Kentucky a girl is an old maid at 9, at 30 sue is passe and relegated to teacups, cats and knitting. Corkscrew, curls are hers, and on her hands when she goes to church are half lace mitts, not kids. All this, writes a. Shelbyville correspondent of the Henderson Jour nal, makes the race to conjugal happi- ness one of almost maddening haste in Kentucky. TWenty-seven elOpe- ments in two days is the record of one backwoods county this season.
 In common with all the other states of the union, Kentucky has more poor families than rich ones, and 1t follows that the preponderance of marriages is among the former, whose purses are not always equal to heavy Outlays for elaborate wedding ceremonies. Hence it is that the most economical scheme of elopem6nt is highly popu- lar, with the added advantage of the spirit of romance that surrounds. the idea of running away and being pur' sued by alleged irate parents, who, it should be noted, never succeed in con- ing up with tbe elopers until the knot has been tied. The whole affair is q pleasing illusion, and may it always be so.
 The old people. however, raise peren- nial objections-.they always do. The old people are matchmakers who fol- low all the traditions of the south, and the girl who is ambitious to dodge the oe lntn 1oH n1d maid will take no risks. Down here in Kentucky there is no dearth of suitOrs. and the average blue grass belle does not have to wait long. She ias sweethearts before she is out of short skirts. and 1t is no uncommon thing for her to be engaged while she still wears her hair in long plait down her back and tops her curls with jaunty tam-O-shanter.
 Here in Shelbyville eloping couples find mecca. It is quiet little place. with lots of churches and no end of Obliging ministers. The town is a stop for all trains. but the elOpers do not take the railroad route if they are in fear of being discOvered--not in Kentucky. These young LOchinvars take the best high-stepper from the stable and start down the pike in q good rig. They then feel assured that they will clear all pursuers and get the knot tied before the father can iu- scene with boOtiack. gun or glad hand.
 Tn some counties in Kentucky last fall the number of elOpements is said tO have been as great as that of ordin- ary. unrOmantic. premeditated mar riapes. There are instances where three girls and three young men have formed q party and eloped together. The method of DrOcedure sometimes is unique. The helle wants none of the traditions lacking-not in Kentucky Her wardrobe may ba slight. because she is in a hurry. but she is sure to take along
 Something old. something new.
 Somrthin.r borrowed and something
 blue
 X Iawrenceburg farmer heard that his dauohter waS claarino out with the son of a nei"hhnr. There was no very strenuous Obiection and the faith. ar hnuoht some weddino presents and with some of his friends started out sn Dnrsuit. They arrivAl in town about an hour aftnr tho ceremony an.l were told that the happy nair bad gone to the hotel for dimner. The whole Dartv bnaded bv the np,v bri.'n's s father. rrshaL into tho dinin~ rooni and formnllv presnniei the gifts. af- terwa-.I huvin- tickets for honey moon trin tn C'-,cinnati.
 Seraral pa--'a"es hava been per fnrn,n.I nn rsiirpad trains. and one .cornIs soroht rofu~e hv tn-inr- their Yr1iniS,ar on board boat which was -riri"" n" the Kentucky river below Frankfort.