Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-30
A MARITAL INCIDENT.

Inc aUnOyaDceS WllCQ OeIeU couple WllliuS
and anxious to be married in Chicago on Wed
nesday evening last, and their final happy re-
lease thereform, arc thus told by the Journal Ot
that city: "a middle-aged gentleman and lady
had made arrangements to be united. Their
plan was to visit the residence OF clergyman,
have the ceremony performed quietly, aod then
nroceed TO one of the theatres TO spend the re-
maiuder of the evening. Their desire was to
procure the services of Rev. Dr. Ryder, and
during the day the man made several attempts
to fad the doctor, but failed. So, just at night
thinking that one minister could perform the
services as legally as another, he applied to
Rev DR.. Sullivan. rector of Trinity Episcopal
church, and got that gentleman to oticate. 1t
was arranged that the couple should visit the
rector's residence at 7 o clock, when the inter-
ly at the hour appointed the candidates, ac-
compaDied by lady friend, arrived at the resi-
dence OF DR.. Sullivan, on Wabash avenue, hav-
ing ridden about three miles to reach it. On
entering the parlor they were met by tho revcr-
end doctor wearing his official robe, and with
out delay the smiling couple joined hands aud
the ceremony began. After having proceeded
for several minutes, and re ached the point
where the couple we're about to be pro-
nouuced husband and wife, the officiating
clergyman suddenly paused, and, addressing
the almost married lady, said: Excuse
ne, but-but Madam, | should like to
ask you question. Are you widow :? |,
am, sir, replied the lady thus addressed. Is
but am legally and properly divorced from
him / am sorry to say, tben,' replied the
rector, that | can proceed no further. The
surprise and CONSERVATION Of the hsli-united
couple may, perhaps, be imagined, but il can
not we'll te described 10 justice to DR.. Sulli-
van, aud by way Of explaining this curious
episode, it should be here stated that the Epis-
copal Convention for the diocese Of Illinois,
year or two ago, passed resolution forbdding
any clergyman of that denomination from per-
forming the marriage ceremony for party
who had been divorced and whose husband or
wife was still living. And that resolution was
what played the mischief with the ceremony
at Dr. Suivan's house last night. Though
surprised and shocked by this unexpected in
terrupton Of the proceedings the candidates
for wedlock were not discouraged. They were
determined to accomplish the NJ sson on which
they had started at all hazards. So, bidding
DR.. Sullivan good evening, they re entered
their carriage, the balf-married man ordering
the coachmau to find DR.. Ryder if it took till
midnight. After half-hours further drive
DR.. r. der was found at his residence, aud the
marriage ceremony was performed, the Doctor
proceeding de novo, as the lawyers have It,
The happy couple then departed, husband and
wife, arriving at the theatre a little late, but
feeling that all $ well that ends WE'LL
A WASHINGTON RoMANCE.-A beautiful
young widow appears In society this winter,
whose story is very romantic. Three years ago
one of the bellies of Washington was lovely
girl who passed most of the season her first 10
society with Mrs. Admiral Lee. Miss Bessie
Beale bad many admirers, and soon it was
known that MIR. Sturtevant, of New York, was
the favored suitor and in the spring the an-
nouucement was made that brilliant wedding
the next autumn would seal the happiness of
the young lovers But in July there was a
grand denouement, Mr. SburtevaDt disappear
ed from Sound boat on its way to New
port, and the suppositlon was, and still Is, that
he accidentally fell overheard and was drowned.
Immediately after the announcement, which
of course caused great CONSERVATION, society
was still further amazed by the publication OF
notice of the marriage in June in Baltimore
of Mr. Sturtevant and Miss Beale. 1t seems
that the young people, with the consent of the
BRIDES mother, were privately married; but
the express stipulation was agreed upon that
no public announcement should be made until
the time previously fixed for the wedding IN
her parents until :that time, and continue to
receive visits from the groom just as she had
done hitherto. The marriage was duly proven,
the certificate being In regular form, and the
young widow, the period of whose wifehood
was comprised in the brief time necessary to
perform the marriage ceremony, succeeded to
her late husbands property. This is one of
the romauces of real life which Is indeed strang
er then fiction.
Another strange story from the thick Of
life" is that of an early marriage in Trinity
Chapel, New York, Witnessed only BY the Off
cating clergyman, when the groom took the
name of prominent officer Of the navy, who
was af;erward discovered to be at that time in
China. The clergyman and bis family were
Thoroughly deceived, and only discovered the
fact when too late. Nothing has every been
heard Of the high parties Of the six A. Nj. mar
yage.- Exchange.
Dear Old Aunt Sarah,' said a schoolgirl,
"dou't see very we'll, and last Sunday she was
buzziug around getting ready for church, looking
for umbrella, Specs overshoes, and last, but
not least, her prayer book. The latter she
thought she had secured by grabbing something
off her hnreau at the last moment, but when