Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-16


the abolition Of holy matrimOuy. ~
well g the latest divorces statistics.
Il ID shock to ind 90 many pec-
pie still doing IL getting married,
that Is, not reading. The shock
may be pleasant or It may be dis
agreeable. according to your own
cherished convictions, but It is .
shock.
Instead Of losing prestige By the
heavy accumulation OF evidence
against it, matrimoay appears to
be rapidly gaining in popularity.
Last year was : banner year for
1t here In New York. Over forty
thousand couples obtained mar
rage licenses from the marriage
bureau in the city hall. which was
an increase of II per cent over the
year before. and Of these some four
teen thousand did not even stop to
think the matter over after obtain
ing the license, but were married
right there in the marriage chapel.
And this, in spite Of the fact that
New York throws a few more dim
culties in the way OF marriage--at
least for the women--than most
places.
There is the matter OF license,
for instance. In most towns the
would-be groom can buy q mar
riage license with greater ease than
he can buy one for his automobile.
All he has to do is to ask for 1t, pay
the price, and it is his. Or, if he
happens to be busy. his father or
prospective father-in-law can rush
into the clerks ONCE at the last
moment and get it for him, or the
bride may even phone down and
have the license mailed to her or
sent out by special messenger.
But in New York It is different.
Here both parties to the Hateful il
not fatal deed must appear in per-
son. together fill out an appli-
cation blank requiring q lot of in
formation, and together swear that
the statements written down are
true. No candidate for the we'd
ded state, be he rich or poor. good,
bad or Indifferent, can escape this
bit Of red tape. A Fifth avenue
heiress must appear and make out
her half Of the application the
same as the bride from Mott street.
Another difficulty in the path oil
matrimony in New York is the city
clerk, P. N. Scully. II there is any
thing the least bit suspicious in
your application. or If you are for
tunate enough to appear under age,
you are whisked into Mr.. Scully's
Office, where you are carefully in
terrogated by him. How old are
you? Where do you come from
and why? are some Of the ques-
lions MIR. Scully asks, and such 4
his ferocious mien that you invari-
ably tell the truth. Mr.. Scully can
hold up your license If he wishes
and prevent you from getting mar
ried in New York.
But fortunately for the already
very much frightened and subdued
pilgrims Of matrimony who come
| to the bureau, Mr.. Scully rarely
takes advantage Of this awful pow
er. In spite Of his somewhat hale
, full, authoritative stare, he is a
genial, friendly soul, who likes be-
| ing married himself, and enjoys
sending so many other persons on
their matrimonial way.
The other day troubled bride
groom and his trim. calm little
bride were brought into Mr.. Soul
ly's Office as suspicious characters
, They stood forlornly by the door
while MIR. Scully perused many Ii
tcenses, and it is doubtful il he
would ever have known they were
there had not a clerk come and
whispered something in his ear
Immediately Mr.. Scully lifted his
head and fixed the couple with his
penetrating gaze.
"How old are you!." he demanded
of the extremely youthful looking
bride.
she is 90" interposed the BRIDE
groom quickly.
Wasn't talking to YOU" saidMr.
Scully. "Tell your correct age,
young lady; nobody was ever hurt
by telling. the truth"
Il was 20 last July" declared
the bride.
"Hmm. you look pretty young for
20" remarked Mr.. Scully. docs
your mother know about this p
Eyes, my mother knows all about
it," the girl faltered nervously.
HE has been staying at our house,
and she knows all about it. Now
| he is going west, and am going
with him."
A tear trembled on the brides
cheek, and Mr.. Scully's manner i'm
mediately underwent a tremendous