The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-10-12

SEQUEL TO WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
A SENSATIONAL sToRy-THE FACTS


SEQUEL To WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
A SENSATIONAL sToRY-THE FACTS
Some four years ago quiet a SEN
sational article appeared in the San
Francisco Chronicle, copied from a
Tuscarora paper, to the effect that a
certain nice young man, Mr.. g. NJ.
Potter, who had been u happy man
for about !. year. was not a gentle
man, in fact, but a lady in disguise,
and that his, or her young wife was
Immediately to be married by a
young clergyman Of the town to a
bona fde man Of her choice, and
with the full consent of her husband,
the lady man.
Here the story was abruptly left,
incomplete, aud though We read
ers of the Chronicle anxious
ly awaited the sequel we waited in
vain; it never came, and the story
was regarded as a Chronicle canard,
with no truth to its foundation.
This same little story appeared in
many eastern papers, copied from
the enterprising Chronicle.
Some weeks since l CHANGED
to meet real genial couple, Mr..
and Mrs. William Potter, at the
Franklin House, one of Harrisburg's
most home-like hotels. |, one day,
related this story, when Mr.. Potter
told me s. M. was his sister, Sarah
Melissa Potter, and gave me her
history, which | now give to the
public, that, what was considered a
reckless thing. may be properly un-
derstood.
She is a lady of about thirty-five
years, and has always been eccen-
trio, having from her childhood
something of the boy nature, prefer
ring tops, kites and horses and out-of-
door pursuits to doll babies and
dish washing; was always lover-like
in her manner to girls, treating men
and boys more as if she was one of
them. Some years ago she had
gone to the far West. In some way
her trunk was lost-;s big Saratoga
with all her womanly attire. She
was too independent to send home
for money, as her friends disap-
proved OF her leaving the home nest.
She tried for many days to find en-
ployment, but tailed and became
dispirited and discouraged, her
money all gone and no hope for en-
ployment.
/ Early one morning, seeing a kind
ly-faccd woman in store, she went
in, told her story, and then and
there made a trade, gave her wo-
manly garments in exchange for a
suit OF boys clothes and little
money.-With the money she had
her hair cut man fashion: got good
breakfast, and paid her fare to a
neighboring town, where she i'm
mediately found employment, such
as driving baggage wagon. After
this she had no difficulty in getting
work, for which she was well paid.
She met with various young la
dies, to whom she paid more or
less attention, and finally made the
acquaintance of Miss Emma Blank.
The two were mutually pleased
with each other, and were much to-
gether.-The father OF the young
girl was not favorable to the intima-
cy, and forbade the young lady to
receive his attentions. Whereupon
she the daughter, told s. NJ. of her
unhappiness at home, having no
mother, nor sisters, she was quite
alone with her father, who was dis
sipated and often ,.nkind to her.
$. NJ. told the secret of her wo-
manhood and offered to take her
under her protection, until she
should find the right one, the man
of her choice and worthy of her af-
fections. This could not be done
without marriage, SO the two were
married and kept house as Mr.. and
Mrs. Potter. S. M. succeeded well
in business, well supported his wife
and frequently bringing gentlemen
home with him to dine or pass the
evening, the young lady had ample
opportunity to make the acquaint-
ance of number of gentlemen, of
whom S. NJ. seeing them daily in
their ordinary business pursuits,
could Judge as to character and their
worthiness of the love of good
girl. Among the number one SEEM
ed particularly pleased with Emma,
and as gentleman and an honora-
BILE man, he told s. M. he must dis
continue its visits. Then came dis
closures and explanations and avow-
ais among the three, which ended
in the marriage and gave away the
bride.
So the story became known, and
quickly found its way into the pa
pers.
Mr.. Potter says S. NJ, has used
the chest tones, until now she talks
quite as mannish as any man but
in form she is n perfect woman.
She is at present with her mother
near Binghamton, and has again
donned woman's attire, but she does
not seem satisfied or at ease in it,
and there is no telling how soon
she will again burst out upon us, as
a man of business, a Richard I'LL"
a king Lear" or "Othello," for /
predict her boys nature will not
long submit to the restraint of pet
ticoats and trained dresses.-Nellie
Died at the Age of 125 Years.
Mrs. Nancy Tins, of whom men,