The Washington times., 1905-05-17

With the aid of a Secret Service agent,
thu police, a minister of the gospel. two
or three telephones, and incidentally
colored pedestrian, Gilbert Wilson ana
Lottie Xander were married last night
but the ceremony was performed only
after much delay and many kinds OF
trouble. 1t all came about because the
bridegroom lost the aIl-important mar
riaga license. and before it was recov-
cred The brsde-t o. be was on the verge
of Mysteries, the wedding party divided
between tears and laughter, and the
bridegroom was rapidly becoming paid
in spots as he pulled his hair in despeTS-
ton
Gilbert Wilson, a prosperous young
lumber dealer of AccoEeek, Prince
George county, Nd, and Miss 6ander,
a buxom maid of eighteen summers.
haiiins from the same jurisdiction, came
to town for the most important event
of their young lives yesterday afternoon.
At the home of Henry xander, a rela-
tive Of the bride, at 10S II street north
west, preparations were made Tor the
wedding, which was 10 take place at the
parsonage of the Concordia Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Twentieth and u
streets northwest, at Z O'Clock last even
ing.
lust in Time at City Hall.
While Miss Xander was being arrayed
in her wedding finery, and he for the
first time was left to his own resources
Wilson bethought him of the marriage
license and hurried to City Hall to get
it. He arrived just in time. for 1t was
nearing closing time and the clerks OF
the court were preparing TO go to their
homes. Wilson's license was the last
cne issued yesterday.
Clutching the precious document. as
ii lay In his inside pocket. Wilson ran
back to the II street house ard fairly
Jumped into his newly maze garments,
Long before the. appointed nour 4!Ilt5 tlts
young folks Were ready, ana waiting
was nervous work. Wilson carefully
changed his possessions from one pocket
to another-and back agaisi, the mar
riage license finally finding resting
place In his hip pocket along with his
handkerchief.
Al $50 Wilson and Miss Xander and
their little party OF friends started Tor
the residence of the Rev. Paul N. Men
eel, adjoining the Coucordia Church. at
1920 street. Half an hour later they
were standing in the parlors while ali
around the room others of the party
were seated. The. Rev Mr. Menzel
copied the names of bride and groom,
and the ceremony was about 10 begin
when he asked for the license.
Vain Search of Pockets.
Confidently Wilson reached toward MS
hip pocket The license was not there.
Undismayed he tried his inside pocket
Still no license.
Quickly and yet moFt. quickly he push
ed his hands into other possible hiding
places of the precious doeument-then
all his pockets were turned inside out.
the contents flying IN all directions, but
the license was not.
PerspiraIion started at his every pore
as Wilson tore off MS coat ai-I vest and
felt along the Innings. Unfeelingly, sew
ef.al young men began to sniclker, while
girl friends surrounded the bride whose
cheeks turned from red 10 white as she
tried to realize the situation and stroye
10 comfort her.
Growing cainer. Wilson expressed his
conviction that he had the license when
the drive was started. and ne ana his
bride quickly decided 10 return over the
same route in hope of finding the paper
where they were confident il had fallen.
\ IL the way 20 t03 FL street they went
and the house was ransacked. but with
out result.
Then the BRIDEGROOM was directed to
the Sixth precinct police station, where
the loss was reported. Within ten min