The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-02-26

| CLANpEsrINE MARRIAGE, SPIcED WITH 10
M.NcE.-The development of rather romantic
| marriage was made in this community short
time since, the facts Of which we deem it proper
to state in justice to all parties concerned, and
to prevent exaggerated representations
| Miss Jennie Johnson had been pupil at the
Augusta Female Seminary for the session pre-
vious to last summer. Her father and sister
came on during the sum ner season and the vsca-
ton of school. stopping at the Virginia Hotel
Miss johnson remained at the Hotel with them
during their stay, and when they left, returned
to the Seminary. Shortly after he departure OF
Mr.. johnson, young man arrived IN the city,
registered at one of the Hotels, and going to the
Seminary, called for Miss Johnson, passing him
self off as her cousin.
Mr.. Wilcox, the gentlem n rofsrref to. short
time after this, went to the city clerks office and
applied for a marriage license, giving his avn
name and that Of Miss johnson Us the parties -
The clerk was absent in Georgia, and the young
gentleman who was acting as depaty, being i'm
posed upon by the statement Of the applicant, Is
sued the license. Miss Johnson and Mr. wilcox
met on the street during that or the following
day, walked to the Methodist Parsonage, pre-
scented the license, were married, ana coming
out Of the house, separated, going IN diIerens
directions This occurred in August last.
Nothing was thought of it vt the time, nor
were there aGy suspicious at the Seminary that
any occurrence OF the kind had taken place, IN
til recently, when Mis-, Johnson, conhding IN
one of her sch col mates, stated that she was
married, and the circumstances OF 1t. Ihls
coming to the attention of theschool authorities.
the matter was quietly Investigated, and Miss
Johnson's father was summoned by telegraph
Re came to Stsunton Immediately, and returned
to New Orleans with his daughter.
We learn that Mr. Johnson stated that the
Young man had at one time paid attention to his
daughter, but that after she had been entered as
a pupil at the school, he had thought no more OF
it, not knowing, indeed, that Mr. Wilcox had
been out efNew Orleans. While regrstting ex-
ceedingly the clandestlne marriage. he attached
no blame to any one but his daughter, whose
conduct in taking SO important a step in life
without his consent panied him. He farther re-
marked that he should endeavor to make the
most cut of it. aud do all in his power to contrib
ute to the prosperity and happiness Of the strange
ly wed led pair.
Wilcox chose very oprortune time to make
his visit It was during vacation, when the
school discipline was relaxed, and the young la
DIV regarded simply as boarder, and not a schol-
ar, subject to the strict regime Of the Seminary
He adroitly arranged his visit so as not to appear
importunate, and SO conducted himself, SO far as
the Principal of the Seminary was aware, as to
create the impression that it was passing visit
of respect from near relative.
Hereafter, we think, young cousns will have
to come to Stauntou pretty strongly authentca-
ted, before they will be permitted to pay their
to the young ladies Of any Of our female
5 hools.