Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-01-21
MARRYING IN FRANCE
Official Obstacles That Bar the
Way to the Ceremony.
THE WORRIES OF A FIANCE.
He Has to Brave the Insolenee and tie
indifference of the Civil Officers In
His Efforts to Accomplish the Neces-
sary Preliminary Formalities.

sary Preliminary Formalities.
Marrying in France is not an easy
matter. On the contrary, the civil Of
6cers seem to employ ingenuity in put
ting as many obstacles as possible in
the way of those who contemplate
matriInony.
Take the case of a French citizen
who until recently resided in the
Eighth reimbursement of Paris. but
who removed 10 the Ninth and then
began to accomplish the fornalities
necessary for his marriage.
Smiling aud happy. as man about
to wed should be. he presented himself
at the marie Of the Ninth ward with
the following documents, which he
had previously obtained at the marie
Of the Eighth reimbursement: His
birth certificate, his discharge IRON the
army, the death certificate of his par
ents and the certificate Of his first
marriage. for he had been married
once already.
On Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock
business it is to attend to matters af-
fecting the "etat civil" Eying the vis-
itor coldly, the functionary asked:
What do you want:'
ITO get married" replied the other,
smiling.
ITS closed"
BEG pardon"
81 said it was cloSed-for mar"i9@os.
Come back on Monday or Thur5.sr."
why Monday or Thursday ns..ad
Of Tuesday or Friday What raasnu:'
How should | know: And u" yuI
think care! It's like thgt-j.ot.s al
| know"
On the Monday the tauce returned.
He had recovered his good humrr and
his smile. and the first document he
handed to the employee at the Marie
was his birth certificate, which had
cost him originally = francs.
whats that?" exclaimed the func-
tionary, with an air of surprise. Its
too Old
What do you mean-too oldW
cate was made out eight years ago,
and 1t has been used already. | dou't
want that | must have one that is
not older than three months"
But my birthday does not change.
and it is clearly indicated on this doc
ument, which is official. Why do you
want one that is not more than three
months old?'
Why? You are too inquisitive
The fiance was still smiling, but in
rather faint hearted fashion.
Where is your military memoran-
dun book?' asked the employee.
Il haven't got one"
What! You haven't got one? And
you come here and expect to get mar
ried without a livret militaireF No;
you're joking You can't be serious
Yes. | am. Pm an officer ON the
reserve 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 it. Here is
my discharge. That is all eau show
you"
"All right; We'll see"
Then the fiance interpolated:
why must you have military doc
ument?"
ITO show that you are really
Frenchman."
Isn't my birth certificate sufficient"
Il have no time for discussion.
Where is the document showing that
your first union was dissolved?"
"Voicir
That's not what l want. | must
have a copy Of the act Of transcript
ton"
The document I've just given you
cost me 2 francs at the marie at Neuil-
ly. Where must l apply for the other?
At Neuilly?"
mo. Go to the registrar of the tri-
bunal of the Seine
The fiance made for the door, ran
downstairs and jumped into a taxi
motor. In few minutes he was at
the registrars office.
Monsieur" replied the assistant
registrar. 1.-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 taximotor cab, and ten min
utes later the distracted tiance was at
the Marie of Neuilly.
Yes; understand" 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"
II suppose | must wait" said the
fiance.
Two days later armed with com,
plete dossier. he returned to the marie
of the Eighth arrondisSemcut. His
smile had come back; he felt that viz.
tory was nigh.
"At lastw he exclaimed triumphant,
ly as the functionary came forward
I'VE got them all now"
"Quite right" replied the other after
glance at the various documents
"But did l understand you to say you
wanted to be married on the 15th?"
Yes. that's the date"
'In that case I'm very sorry. mon
sieur, but that does not leave us the
legal time in which to publish the
banns. You will have to postpone the
date of the ceremony"
Then the fiance's smile "came off
for good, and l doubt whether he will
recover It before the wedding day
Paris Letter In London Post.
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