Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-25
CUPID FILLS MANY
STOCKINGS; YULETTDE
WEDDINGS POPULAR
MARRIAGE LICENSE RECORD BROKEN
One Hundred and Fourteen Happy Persons Gain
Permits to Wed-PrOmises to Be Most
Joyful Day to ScOr of Couples

~ Ne hundred and fourteen young"
lpeople ranging in age from six
- teen to sixty summers-and win
ters-hied them to the marriage license
office yesterday, and made a record for
licenses issued greater than that of
any other single day in the history Of
the office. The happy swains who
helped break the record did not come
solely with that purpose in mind, but
the result was the same.
From nine o'clock In the morning
till the door closed at five O'Clock, a
steady stream of seekers after happi-
ness via the marriage route kept three
deputy clerks busy issuing the neces-
sary documents which permitted them
to enter into their Paradise with an
Eve.
The number of licenses issued up to
Christmas eve this year exceed last
years record by S66, while the number
issued up to last night is 75S more
than were issued for the entire year of
1905.
One couple came to the desk yester-
day afternoon, and the license had al
ready been made out when it developed
that the girl was under age and had
no legal guardian to give his consent
to the marriage. For few minutes the
entire sky looked black, but the couple
left In an hour they came back this
time with a grandmother who swore
that the bride-to-be was over eighteen
years old. The deputy issued the
license and the couple went on their
way rejoicing.
Needs Dutch Courage
Another pair came in, and it was
very evident that the mans courage
was scarcely equal to the ordeal. The
woman led the way, while her pros
pective spouse hung back. AS he came
nearer the unmistakable odor of a
"bracer'' gave evidence of the fearful
struggle through which he was pass
ing; but he was finally brought to the
book, to sign away his 'liberty."
After the deputy had asked every
thing possible about his past life and
reputation, he implored, Don't, please
don't, put the whisky smell In the
license"
His partner was equally solicitous
that her friends at the hotel should
not find out about it, "or they won't
let me get away" she explained.
The man volunteered the information
that "the boys" where he worked had
found out about his rashness and he
hadn't dared to go to work today.
Next came young negro couple.
"Were Just a'goin' to get married for
little WHILE" the girl explained,
"just kind of trial marriage. 1 don't
guess I can stand him for more than
two weeks"
Her mate was also an adept at
"joshing." "Ah intends to leave her
tomorrow morning." he said, "Ah'm
goin' to New Orleans"
They had been "goin' together for
three years"
The last couple of the day were re-
cent arrivals from Arizona. Have you
ever been married before?" queried the
clerk. mo" both of them answered.
"Come baby" called the woman. The
clerks and reporters blushed rosy
hue. when, 10, from within the folds of
her skirt came forth little Chinese
dog.
1--WE had an awful time with him" |"
she said, "the conductors wouldn't let
us keep him on the train and he didn't
like it in the baggage car, so we had
to hide him in our berths."
One hundred and fourteen happy
ones who in their excess of joy forgot
to hang up their stockings, and yet
got the biggest Christmas presents of
the season-doesn't 1t sound like the
Christmas spirit?