Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-16
They Still Marry
1t
BY Frederic ]. Haskin

New York. Jan. 13.-After reading SO
rnurh radical literature on the abolition oi
holy matrimony. rs we'll As the latcsi
divorce statistics, IT Is n shock to ind so
many people still doing it-getting mar
ried that Is. not reading. The shock may
he pleasant. or it may be disagroeable,
according to your own cherished convic-
tions, but it is shock. !,
Instead of losing prestige by the heaVy
accumulation of evidence against ",
natrimony appears to be rapidly gaining
in popularity. Last year was a banner veg, 6os
for it here in New York. over 4p'ouo
couples obtained marriage licenses rIo,i ~
the marriage bureau in the City haiI,
which WAS an increase of IL per cent over
the wear before, and of these some l4,ooo
did NOT even stop to think the matter
over after obtaining the license, but were
married right there in the Msrriage
Chanel. And this, in spite OF the tact tl'iC
New York throws o few more difficulties
in the wav of marriage--at least Tor the
women-than most places
There is the matter of the license, for
instance In most towns the would-he
groom can buy a marriage hcense WIN
greater ease than he can buy one ior ms
automobile. All he has to do Is to ASK lot
II. nav the price, and it Is his. or, II ne
happens 10 be busy, his father or pros
pectiye lather-in-law can rush INTO tne
clerks office at the last moment and get IT
for him or the bride may even ph"f" down
and have the license mailed L eht
out BY special messenger.
But in New York il is ditlc'ti Here
both narties 70 the fateful ii not fatal
deed must appear in person, together III
out an application blank requiring lot oi
information. and together swear that the
statements written down are true. NO
candidate for the welded state. be nc uch
or moor. good, bad or indifferent. can
ascsne this bit of red tape. A Fifth avenue
heiress must appear and make out her
half Of the application the same rs the
BRIDE from Mott street.
ASKS POINTED QUESTIONS.
Another difficulty in the path of ms
trirnonv in New York IS the city clerk,
T. n. ScuIly. If there IS anything the least
bit suspicious II your application, or II
vou are fortunate enough to appear
,lnder age, YOU are whisked into MI
Scpllv's office. where YOU are carefully
interrogated hy him. How old are YOU
Where do YOU come from, and why2
sr,, some of the questions MIR. Scuily asks
and such Is his fcroclo1s nlien that YOU IN
ySriably tell the truth. MIR. Sculiy can
hold up your license If he wishes, and pre-
vent YOU from getting Inarned IN New
York.
Buf fortunately for the already very
much frightened and subdned pilgrims of
mstrimony who come to the bureau, MIR.
Scullv rarely takes advantage Of this awful
mower. In spite os his somewhat baleful,
authoritative stare, he is a genial friendly
soul. who likes being married himself.
and enjoys sending so many other persons
on their matrimonial WAY.
The other daya troubled bridegr oom
and his trim. calm little bride were brought
INTO MIR. Scully's office as suspicious char
acters. They stood forlornly by the door
while Mr.. Scully peruscd many licenses,
and 1t Is doubtful il he would ever have
known they were there had not clerk
como and whlspered something in his ear.
Immediately, MIR. Scully lifted his head
and fixed the couple with his penetrating
gaze.
How old are you2n he demanded Of the
extremely youthful-looking bride
''She + twenty, interposcd the bride
groom quickly.
Wasn't talking 70 you" said Mr..
Sculiv. Tell your correct age, young
lady, nobody was ever hurt by telling the
truth
i was twenty last July, declared the
bride
Hmm, you look pretty young for
twenty" remarked MIR. Scully. Does
YOUR mother know about this?'
YES, my mother knows all about it, :
the girl fatercd neryOuslv. He has been
staying at our house, and she knows all
about it. Now he Is going West, and am
going with hun.
A tear trembled on the brides cheek,
and Mr. Scullv's manner Immediately
underwent tremendous change. He
came forward and married them right
there in his Office, and escorted them re-
gally TO the door.
Now. take good csre Of her, he ad-
mr. nished the bridegroom. she's leav-
ing her home and putting All her trust IN
YOU Take good care Of her.
WENT WEST WITH HIN.
Going West with him, ne explained
sentirnentaIly, As he came back TO bis