Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-08-30
COST OF MARRIAGES
Some People Try to See How
Much Can Be Spent.
Amusing Story Of Clergyman In Lon
don Who Was Out for All the Cash
He Could Get-some Of Access.
sorIes He Would Furnish.

LOndOn.-SOme OF the 1aSnlOHaDie
weddings that have taken place lately
would seem to indicate that the people
concerned were anxious to see how
much money could be spent on the al
fair. In England the ceremony is much
more complicated. The most usual
form of marriage is by "banns." Notice
Is given to the clergyman OF the
church where the young couple desire
to get married, the announcement IS
given out three Sundays running pc
fore the wedding day, and for this the
bridegroom pays the clerk 30 cents. II
neither of the parties live in this par
ish, one or other of them must DO SO
for three weeks before the ceremony
takes place, but this condition is often
filled by the bridegroom taking room
and putting stick or bag in 1t for the
required time.
OF course, you have to pay the cler-
eyman something for performing the
ceremony for you, and the legal fee Is
$1.25, with so cents to the clerk, ana a
further 80 cents for copy OF the GER
tificate of marriage, but each clergy
man asks what he chooses, and some
of them place their services rather
high.
Recently young couple who live In
the suburbs decided to get married at
one of the churches in the Strand, IN
London, as this was convenient cen
ter for all their friends. and also near
Charing Cross station, from which they
we're starting for Paris Immediately
after the ceremony. 1t was to be
quiet affair, no bridesmaids, no bou-
auets, no carriages, no red carpet, etc.
So one fine morning the brides's father
started off to find the incumbent OF
one of these London churches. an In
diyidual with double-barreled name
and, incidentally. double-barreled To-
quacity as WELL After a great effort
the father got him to talk about the
wedding, and finally inquired the fee.
: THE fee would be $25." said his
reverence. And, of course. you would
like some music? We supply that and
It would be S." The father was about
to say something, when the padre
broke in again:
"And you would like some red carpet
nut down, suppose? We supply that
for S."
| oh" began the man out OF whose
pocket the money was to come for all
this, when"
I and if it's wet day, you would re-
quire an awning" continued the clergy
man. I'VE supply the awning and the
fee would be S."
Eyes," gasped the father. casting
about in his mind for way of escape.
when the other went on:
"And, of course, you would have
some flowers. My daughter always
does the flowers, and I'm sure she
would be delighted to do them for
you" Before the astonished father
could reply, the clergyman rang the
bell and requested the servant who
answered 1t to ask Miss Louie" to
step in" Miss Louie" duly arrived,
and expressed herself enchanted at the
prospect of doing the flowers for the
wedding.
"And what do you think IL Wouid
cost, dear?" asked her father. DO you
suppose you could do 1t for 1857?
AS this last straw was laid on the
poor victims back, he reused himself
and managed to stammer that he must
consult his daughter before making the
final arrangements, and made for the
door, trusting to escape. But the cler-
gyman had reserved parting shot.
Taking up small paper-covered book
from the table, he said:
This Is a small book on the history
of the church. am sure your dangh-
ter will like to read all about it. as she
is thinking of being married there"
Thank you; I'll give it to her" said
the innocent man.
"That'n be rs cents" said his rev.
erence, and the unfortunate father
placed the money on the table and fled
for his life. Needless to say the mar
riage did not take place at his church.