Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-21
WEDDINGS IN FRANCE
Difficulty Attends Every Pre-
Iiminary Move.
RED TAPE IS PERPLEXING
Birth Certificate, Army Discharge
and Other Papers Needed.
THEN RETURN ANOTHER DAY
Dashing About in a Taxicab May
Get the Necessary Documents, if
the Offices Are Open.
THEN RETURN ANOTHER DAY
Paris Correspondence London Post.

Paris Correspondence London Post.
One might suppose that in country
where increasing depopulation is one Of
the gravest questions the nation has to
face facilities for marriage would be
made as easy as possible. But it is not
so in France
On the contrary. the civil officers seem
to employ ingenuity in putting as many
obstacles possible in the way of those
who contemplate matrimony.
Take the case of a French citizen who
until recently resided in the eighth ar
reimbursement of Paris, but who removed
to the ninth, and then began to &C
complish the formalities necessary for
his marriage.
Smiling and happy, as a man about to
wed should be. he presented himself at
the marie of the ninth ward with the
following documents, which he had pre-
viously obtained at the marie of the
eighth reimbursement: His birth certii-
cate, his discharge from the army, the
death certificate Of his parents and the
certificate Of his first marriage, for he
had been married once already.
What Happens to Applicant.
On a Saturday afternoon at o'clock he
called upon the functionary whose bust
ness it is to attend to matters affecting
the "etat-civi1." Eyeing the visitor cold
ly. the functionary asked:
what do you want?'
"To get married." replied the other,
smiling
Its closed"
BEG pardon?"
II said it was closed-for marriages.
why Monday or Thursday instead Of
Tuesday or Friday? Is there any rea-
son?'
How should I know? And do you
think | care? It's like that-thats all
know
The Next Time.
On the Monday the fiance returned.
He had recovered his good humor and his
smile, and the first document he hand
ed to the empoye at the, marie was his
birth certificate, which had cost him or
iginally francs
Whats that?' exclaimed the func-
tionary, with an air of surprise. ITS
too old"
What do you mean--too old?''
Il mean what l say. Birth certificates
are not like wine-they don't improve
with age. Your certificate was made out
eight years ago, and 1t has been used
l.
one that is not older than three months"
But my birthday does not change. and
it is clearly indicated on this document,
which is official. Why do you want one
that is not more than three months old?'
why? You are too inquisitive. You
go and ask the president of the republic"
1.-THE fiance was still smiling, but In
rather faint-hearted fashion.
Military Records Difficulty.
v,,;Ji nd,
book?' asked the employee.
Il haven't got one"
What. you haven't got one! And you
come here and expect to get married
without 'livret militaire?' No; you're
joking You can't be Serious
Eyes 1 am. I'm an officer on the re-
serve list
SHOW me your mobilization order"
That's a secret order, which / have
not the right to show you. The army
regulations are opposed to 1t. Here Is
my discharge-that is all 1 can show
you
''All right; We'll see.''
Then the fiance interpolated-
Why must you have military docu-
ment?"
ITO show that you are really a French
Isn't my birth certificate sufficient
IQaC = OTLuCT MdIT1dRSs
II have no time for discussion. Where
is the document showing that your first
union was dissolved?'
"Voci.'
That's not what 1 want. I must have
a copy of the act of transcription"
1.-The document I've just given you cost
me francs at the marie at Neuilly.
Where must / apply for the other? At
Neuilly?'
No Go to the registrar of the tri-
bunal of the Seine"
The fiance made for the door, ran
downstairs, and jumped into taxi
motor. In a few minutes he was at the
registrars office.
Monsieur replied the assistant reg
istrar the registers from Neuilly have
not come back yet. But you'll be sure to
find them there. and they'll be able to
give you all the information you want"
Another taXi-mOtor cab, and ten min
utes later the distracted fiance was at
the marie of Neuily.
Yes, l understands replied the Off
cial, after the visitor had explained the
object of his call. But we can't give
you what you want under forty-eight
hours
Il suppose must wait" said the
fiance.
Wedding Is Postponed.
Two days later. armed with a complete
dossier, he returned to the marie Of the
eighth ACCOMPLISHMENT. His smile had
come back, he felt that victory was nigh.
"At last!" he exclaimed triumphantly,
as the functionary came forward. 1--WE
got them all now"
Quite right" replied the other, after
a glance at the various documents. But
did / understand you to say you wanted
to be married on the 18th Of OCTOBER"
Yes, that's the date"
I'm that case I'm very sorry, Monsieur,
but that does not leave us the legal time
in which to publish the banns You will
have to postpone the date Of the cere-
mony.''
Then the fiance's smile came of" for
good, and l doubt whether he will re-