NEWS: Macon Telegraph, Macon, GA, 1892-02-22: "There's Many a Slip":
That is the Experience of Carroll's Tax Collector.
Carrollton, Feb. 21. - [Special] - Mr. H. F. Bartlett, tax receiver for Carroll county, had quite a hard experience in getting married a few days ago, and still lost his love. Mr. Bartlett has been tax receiver for Carroll for four years, and in his rounds met and courted Miss Ada A. Brooks (BROOK) of New Mexico district.
Some weeks ago an engagement was made between Mr. Bartlett and Miss Brooks. The consent of the would be bride's father and mother was obtained, the wedding day set, and the cooking was all done for a big wedding and a fine supper.
Mr. Bartlett had approached a well known Carrollton newspaper man and gave him a special invitation to be present at the marriage. Of course, the scribe accepted, and his best suit of clothes received a good brushing for the occasion.
DOOMED TO DISAPPOINTMENT
But it seems that Mr. Bartlett and the newspaper man were doomed to disappointment. The young lady, the intended bride, had been courted by Mr. J. H. L. Benford (JOHN WILLIAM HENRY BENFORD) some five years ago, and an engagement had been made and never broken, although a seeming coolness had grown up between Mr. Benford and Miss Brooks.
Mr. Benford was living near Miss Brooks, and was aware that Mr. Bartlett was paying attention to Miss Brooks, but one day he was arrested while in possession of a wagon of moonshine whiskey, carried to Atlanta and jailed.
HIS THOUGHTS TURNED TO HIS LOVE
While the dreary hours passed away Benford's thoughts went back to his first love, with whom an unbroken engagement was still in force. He wrote Miss Brooks a letter telling her that his arrest and incarceration was persecution and that he would soon to be out of jail and would come to see her. Miss Brooks replied that he could come a certain Sunday morning a few days off and see her married to Carroll county's honored tax receiver. This was more than Benford could bear. He resolved to spend all his wealth or make a bond and arrived in Carrollton at noon, went direct to the ordinary's office to buy license for himself and Miss Ada Brooks. The acting ordinary told Mr. Benford that a license had been issued a few moments before for Miss Brooks, and Benford became very much excited and after examining the records said there were two ladies in the community by the name of Ada A. Brooks. The license was issued and Benford hurried to the livery stable, procured a horse and buggy and went driving towards the home of him former love.
BOUGHT HIS BRIDE
This was Thursday, and Bartlett was booked to marry Miss Brooks Sunday. Benford went directly to the Brooks homestead and sought an interview with Miss Brooks. The father and mother objected to the interview at first, but later consented to a short talk. Benford put in good work, and soon convinced the young lady that he loved her with his whole heart, and that he would have married her long ago, had not poverty prevented. He said he would take her to his bosom now, and begged her to marry him on the spot. Miss Brooks' old love for Benford rekindled and she fell into his arms, telling him at the same time she loved him as she had never loved another and would marry him, Bartlett or no Bartlett. The father and mother's consent was sought but they strenuously objected. They favored the union of Bartlett and their daughter, but the daughter told her parents she would fly with Benford to distant lands. Well, they then consented that the young folks could do as they wished.
A MOONLIGHT MARRIAGE
The preacher, who was stationed near by, came in the yard and Mr. Benford and Miss Brooks were made one by the light of the moon, with the moon and stars and the only brother of the bride as witnesses.
Bartlett found out that the afternoon he bought the license that Benford had one bought also, and soon next morning, which was Friday before his never-to-be marriage on Sunday, he jumped into his buggy and went twenty miles to see who was to be the lucky man. He drove up to the bride's father's at noon. The mother met him at the gate with big tears in her eyes and told him of the moonlight marriage the night before.
TRIED TO TRADE THE LICENSE
Bartlett felt as one never felt before, taking his word for it. He came back to Carrollton, went to the ordinary and wanted to trade his license, but that official informed him that he was selling licenses but not buying, and no trade was made. Bartlett was again disappointed. He went to see his newspaper friend and told him not to go down to his wedding the next Sunday, for the girl had gone back on him. He said: "If I can't trust her for three weeks I certainly can't for a whole lifetime."