The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-10
MARRYING A VASSAR GIRL.
SPENCER'S NEEDLESS ELOPEMENT WITH
MISS MARTHA M'DONALD.

Roy and Giri who Could not Rear Thei-
First Separation. and 20 CiaadestiaeIy Mae
red-Iheir Parents Ready Forgiveness.
II was simply the freak OF two young
sters who sought to cast tinge OF romance over
their union by clandestine marriage"
Inc speaker was Mr.. ]. c. Spencer whose
SON. aged IL. surrepttiously visited Ynssar
College. obtained a secret interview with Mar
tina Mcdonald. aged 16 and took her In a car
riage to Poughkeepsie, where they were mar
ried
There was no earthly objection TO tho
match. continued Mr.. Mcdonald, except their
extreme youth. They have been brought up
together. DIR. Mcdonald. Martha's father. and
myself nave been long business partners. We
began In San Francisco over twenty years ago.
moved to New York. and opened busfess
house at 532 Washington street. whore we have
been ever since. Our children have been
brought up together. The Doctor has two sons.
one oil whom Is at Yale College. and the other is
taking postgraduate course Mt Harvard.
Martha Is an unusually bright. attractive little
girl. She has always been dnigent in her stud
les and her teachers say that she is an npt pupil
some years ago tho Doctor presented 81. 600 TO
Nassar College TO found q scholarship II often
happens In such an institution that worthy and
industrious students are obliged after their
second or sophomore year. to quit college
through lack Of means. 1t was to assist such
persons 10 finish the course that he gavo this
sum. and after some consideration he deter
mined to make his daughter Martha the first
beneficiary. little more than year ago Mar
tina was sent to vassar. and last September my
son entered the freshman class Of Columbia
College"
Young Spencer is a tall, we'll built lad. Of dark
compleNion. He Is member OF the freshman
crew. ana has attained no little urOniinpngp IA
IN athlete among the lads Of tho lower form
lie sadly missed Martha McDonnld for they had
previously been almost iuseparablr and drter-
mined To marry her and bring her to New York.
10 this end no opened q correspondence.
were, closely scrutini2ed. he directed his
t., Martha a. the 9, Poughkeepsie Post
SS%nous n@eS aiho A ASr v,%
10 the importunitics OF her young lover. and
agreed to m9rIy him. Monday, Fob. IT, was
the day decided upon for the clopcment. In
the morning Spencer asked his fathers per-
mission To visit Poughkeepsie and call upon
Martha and II was granted. On his arrival he
hired coach and drove To- the college leaving
NE vehicle in neighboring wood. Two OF
Marthas companions assisted her to escape.
tach took bundle OF the young lady's clothes
under her arm, and. stealing out through n
back passage. climbed two fences and reach cd
the carriage. Arrived in Pouchkcepsic the
pair went directly to the house 81 the Rev. DR..
EltuendOrf of the Second Reformed Church,
who Joined them together. The most singular
part OF tho proceeding was the presence OF n
wrll-known resident Of the city who had been
Induced by young Spencer 10 appear and vouch
Tor the fact that he and the girl fulfilled all the
legal requirements including age. After tho
ceremony the boy and his bride went To tho
Nelson House. where apartments had been be-
spoken.
The senior Mr. Spencer anxlously awaited
the return OF his son. Tuesday. "Wednesday
aud Thursday passed, but nothing was heard OF
|. him; but he appeared on Friday morning. In
answer 10 his fathers questions he frankly ac-
knowledged the marriage.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT filled me with astonsh-
mcnt. sad Mr.. spencer yesterday. =" nAk
didn't you bring Martha down here and marry
herp laskcd. You should have had marriage
present lie sal he was afraid that some one
might object. and he had resolved to have the
girl come what might. He is frank. straight
forward lad. and | knew | could rely upon
every word he said. was not Mt all angry with
him. On the contrary. | told him TO 20 right
did. They have been here ever since. On tho
next day Or, Mcdonald arrived here from San
francisco. He. too. was surprised at tho an
nouncement but had no objection TO the match.
There II no reason why such a stir should have
been made about tho matter. The marriage
WAS Announced the next SUNDAY In the papers, "
and he showed tho following clipping:
MCDONALD ON Monday. Feb H. at
fuukI \ Y. john e spencer Ir OF 81 iork
gN. O. No Natuc shepard, daughter OF Dr. Il II. Nc.
Donald oi san Francisco, cal Nocards
When the marriage became known at Vassar
Free idrut caldwell called a meeting ~ the fac
uity. Who decided 70 dismiss frrm the college tho
two girls Wuo assisted NJ ISIS VI Donald TO escape.
Tho parents OF huth bride and groom are very
wealthy. Mr.. spencer resides in his own new
iour-siory brown stone house, Mt III West
SiNty-hrst street. Dr. Mcdonald started for the
South few days ago His wife has been doad
for som" years. and when IN New York no
usually lives in "A hotel.