South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-16
Romance in Real Life.


os,oego and the Astonishing Results Of Treqtiay
the Mysterious Stranger KINDLY.
OswEGo, y. Y, April about a
year ago there dropped in here a latter
ed, gray.bearded individual, about sixty
years old. Where he came from nobody
knew, but he attracted attention by his
seedy appearance and the melancholy
air with which he wandered ainlessly
through the streets. At first he was
taken for a tramp who had struck the
town dead broke, but as he continued to
stay around an atmosphere of mystery
gathered about him, and it was suppOs-
ed that he had escaped from some asy-
lum for the insane, or was man with
out country, or something Of the kind.
Pretty soon he began TO patronize the
reading room, and was constant at
tendant on all the literary and religious
exercises, and those with whom he talk
ed said he had the air Of a cultivated
person; had more than ordinary intelli.
gence, and evidently had once been
somebody. They noticed, however, that
he said little about himself. his origin.
or his destiny.
The old man Mt length went to board
with Mr.. f.. G. Hammond. q reputable
aud respectable resident. Mr. Ham
mond has n fine family and in it
daughter Of twenty years, an intelligent,
cultivated, beautiful girl. With this
girl the uncouth boarder OF sixty soon
became deeply enaupred, and he made
frequent proposals OF marriage to her,
and was promptly rejected on every oc-
casion. lie was so gentlemanly in all
his relations with the IIammonds, that
they hesitated about turning him away
although they were terribly annoyed by
his attentions TO the daughter lie paid
his bills promptly, and was not guilty
OF nm act to which they could take ex-
ception. lie was still as tattered rs u.s.
uaI, and was not warmly welcomed in
his wanderings about town.
The stranger went to Grace Church,
the most aristocratic in the city, on Sun.
days, and his shabby appearance shock.
ed the pious worshipers beyond express
sion, and pretty soon some one OF them
intimated to him that his presence was
not altogether acceptable. This reused
tie old mans ire, and he dropped Grace
Church in q hurry. and went to the east
side Episcopal house of worship. The
first Sunday he was there he put n So
bank note in the contribution box. and
in short time he announced 20 the of.
fcials that he desired to carpet the
church anew-and he did so and in
giving he was not behind the most libe-
raj. This OF course made considerable
talk, and the mystery Of the old man of
the tattered coat deepencd
Meantime the IIammonds heard that
their boar1Cr was throwing his cash free.
~ among the east side Epi-copalians,
and they began TO open their eyes
When he next resumed his proposals Of
marriage to the Girl, she drew from him
his history, which put IN entirely new
phase to everything. lie showed her
papers and other proofs that hd was from
New York city. and had possessed great
wealth; That his property bad become
involved. and tired or litigation. ho had
stolen away from The city, disguised
himself, and hal zone % Oswcgo rs %
retreat until hi~ affairs should be wound
up. lie did not wish TO have his friends
know where he was. Within q month
his business bod been successfully set.
tied. his financial cmbarrassment5 were
over, and he was in the possession of o
large property.
Miss Hammond waited long enough
10 allow him TO suhstantiate lis story.
which he did 90 her satisfaction. and Cha.
OF herparcuts md then she was married
10 The tattcred old man by the Rev. Mr..
Emerson The marriage was kept quiet
until Yesterday. and then the old gentle
men sent 90 the newspapers the notice
Of tic marriage Of John H. Garfield Of
New York 20 Frankie s. Hammond Of
Oswcgo and the pair took the noon train
for New York. Mr. Garfield having laid
aside his RAGS and donncd an elegant
wedding suit.
Garfeld's property is known by those
Of Mr.. llammond's family. who have in
vestigated, 20 be NJ least $500. 600. The
bridal trip includes n summer tour to
Europe and the brides mother is 10 be
one of tho marty - Mo,r TovI. C,to