The Washington times., 1906-07-29
UniteS Young Hearts
And Gives Money Back
James B. Mclaughlin, Was h
ingtOn'S Preacher Lawyer,
Is Kind.
NOT AVERSE TO MONEY
Man Who Joined Five Couples in a
Day Expects to Be
Paid.
Five weddings 10 one day.

Five weddings 10 one day.
That is the record established for the
District in one day this week by the
Rev. James B. Mclaughlin, the preach
er-lawyer and its a pretty good record
even if it does not happen TO be a world
beaten. Probably no Observation-Disclosures
in Washington has so extensive and va
ried an experience in the launching of
couples upon the sea Of matrmony as
Air. Mclaughlin.
This is true. perhaps. because of his
wide acquaintance in Virginia, West
Virginia, and Maryland. for many hail
ing from those states who come 10 Wash
ingtOn on matrimOny bent invariably
find the way to the reverend gentleman's
sanctum. which. by chance. Is near the
city hail. where the contracting parties
must procure a license TO marry.
In It for Money.
The Rev. Mr.. Mclaughlin is Of sym
pathetic. charitable. kindly nature. and
announces this on his professional cards.
He, however, Is not in the marrying
business for charity, and so states on his
cards. for he says. while he will preach
the gospel visit the sick and minister
10 the worthy without charge. ne will
marry for money.
There are times. however when the
Rev. Mr.. Mclaughlin willingly breaks
this card" rule. for II is known that in
many instances he not only married
couples without charge. but has been
known 10 make present TO the bride.
An instance which illustrates the good
heartedness Of the preacher-lawyer took
place after one of the marriage Cere-
monies he performed this week. a cou-
pie which had reached Washington after
eluding the pursuit of the parent OF the
bride-to-be, after procuring license 10
marry hied themselves TO the office Of
Mr., Mclaughlin. There the matter Of a
fee was not discussed until after the
ceremony was performed.
Small Fee Offered.
Then the groom shyly took Mt Nc,
Laughlin out of hearing distance OF the
bride and asked him how much the fee
would be. Mr.. Mclaughlin said after
ward. from the manner of the young
man. he doubted If he was overburden-
ed with money. so he told him 20 please
himself about the size of the gitt
With a great deal Of apparent m -tid-
cation. the young man told Mr.. Me-
Laughlin Of the trouble he had had to
escape from the pursuing parents Of his
bride. and what IL cost him. He went
on 10 say how happy he was. however.
now that all his trouble was at an emil.
and said he was willing 10 give all he
had 20 the man who made him so. With
this remark the young farmer went
down into his jeans" and drew out Two
25-cent pieces, which he handed TO the
minister.
Mr.. Mclaughlin. in speaking of the
incident. said, under the circumstances,
Iii was a shame 10 take the money so
he. with the tact for which he Is noted,
persuaded the bride 10 accept the two
bits and his best wishes for happiness
as q wedding gift. This she did, and,
after thanking Mr.. Mclaughlin for his
Kindness. smiling happily, left his office.
In discussing the subject. Nlr. Nc,
Laughlin said it is not always the man
with the roll who makes the largest
Offering on tho occasion Of marriage
ceremonies. An instance which demon
strated what he said occurred a day OF
two ago In his ONCE. A couple walked
into his Office and the young man said
he wished 70 be married, and that quick,
~ Mr.. Mclaughlin said he would &C,
commodate him, and did.
His Princely Bearing.
After the ceremony the groom. in an
oahand manner said 10 Mr.. McLaugh>
lin:
.'DWhat's the damage?"
His tone and manner led him 20 be-
lieve he was about to receive a prlncely
fee.
IT Will leave that to your own gen
crosby and judgment" Mr.. Mclaughlin
replied Then the groom put his hand
in his pocket and drew out a roll OF yell
low bills. the wrapper Of which was Of
the denomination Of $500. and opening
up the bunch OF money, took from the
inside OF the roll a 81 bill and, handing
II 10 the minister. remarked;
How VIII that suit your
Before Mr.. Mclaughlin had time to
reply. the bridge, feeling ashamed Of the
gift offered by her husband, broke in
and exclaimed:
"Oh, dear. give him more than that
You have plenty"
Even this did not cause the puEse
strings Of the groom 10 open much
wider as his only reply to the sugges-
ton of his bride was to peel another
zone" off the role and hand 1t 70 the
minister
Where Funds Were Few.
Mr.. Mclaughlin also took a promi-
nent part in a marriage ceremony
which took place a week ago in the City
Hall. Then there was no money in
sight even 10 defray the expense of the
marriage license and Mr.. Mclaughlin
was the first 10 offer to contribute 10
the fund which would result in making
two young souls happy. However, the
funds necessary were soon produced by
a relative Of the bride and the marriage
went on without delay.
All cases are not like these. II they
were Mr.. Mclaughlin would often have
his pains for his trouble. There is a
bright side TO everything, he says, and
in a majority of instances the groom
comes up or down, as the case may be
handsomely. And 1t is not always the