The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1908-04-25
IT WAS GROOM'S
FOURTH VENTURE
Hammond Judge Tries to Make Ma
trimonially-Inclined Couple His
Regular Customers and Makes a
Ten Strike With Them Last Night
at Social Event.

Henry March, three times wed, Efie
Hutchins, two times wed, were married
in Hammond last night.
Have you been married before"
said Judge Frank D. Prest as he turned
to the blushing woman at his right,
who was about to take a matrimonial
plunge.
"Only twice." said she sweetly.
AS the judge turned to the man who
was about to become a party to the
contract, the young woman anticipated
the fact that he was about to repeat
the question and her face grew redder
still.
And your"
The man Strengthened his necktie
squirmed in his chair, grinned all over
and replied, Three times"
The marriage ceremony was about to
be performed. Il want to tell you
Judge" said the man. that I have
just s1.75 more than car fare, and I
would like to know If that is enough to
pay you for your services
I'VE won't let a little thing like that
stand in the way of your future hap
piness.' said the judge as he reached
for the one-seventy- five Il will see
you through this time"
In answer to several previous ques-
tions the judge discovered that his
name was Henry Barch, his age was
40. her name was Efie Hutchins, her
age 27, and that they both lived in
Glenvfew, Ill
That was enough, they were lined
up in front of the genial Judges desk
and told to clasp hands. He was
stoical. It was the fourth time he
had crossed the Rubicon and only
once did a smile distort the features
of his face.
She mad only been there twice be-
fore and besides she was a woman.
So as she stood there facing the judge,
it was to be expected that her bosom
would occasionally heave with emotion
and that the corners of her mouth
would twitch she too tried to re-
press a smile.
When the familiar words had been
spoken and each knew the other was
in for it except for the possible in
tervention of death or the courts, they
became more talkative.
Il had the awfulest time" said he
addressing the witness, Il came out
here day before yesterday to get the
license and after travelling the forty
eight miles each way, 1 found that
and that 1 would have to take the
girl to Crown Point with me-
That discouraged me, and I went
into a saloon and got drunk" he con
tinued as he looked over to the wom-
an and noticed her smile, then some
one told me to see Judge Prest about
that license"
Mr.. Barch began looking for his ha-
and the Mrs. was careful not to forge
the marriage certificate, which was &
dainty card covered with violets, anC
the usual inscription to remind then
of the fact that they had been married
Il want to congratulate you" sait
the judge. "and may your third" nod
ding to the woman, and your fourth,
nodding to the man." marriage b
happier than any of the proceeding
ones.
The groom bowed gratefully. In al
his married experiences he had neve
been able to get such a burst of ora
tory thrown in with the marriage GER
tificate and all for S1.75.
4 thank you, I thank you," was al
he could say
"Oh. that's all right" said the judge
II wish you all of the happiness il
the world"
Il will send the rest of the none,
by mall volunteered Barch. hi
gratitude getting the best of him"
"Oh. you needn't do that" said tn
Judge. 'T trust you were satisfied witt
the ceremony and 1 make special in
1ucements to regular customers Gem
and see me, both of you. whenever yo1
get ready to be married again"
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