The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-12-13
A Strange Marriage.


sheet he held in his hand. He read:
"Dr. Pomeroy, will not apologize for
the unparalleled service am about to
ask of you suffice 1t to say have
heard your history, heard of your strug-
giles, and realize how hard task 1t is
for one so young in the profession and
without friends in the great wilderness
of houses called a city. Also, permit me
to add, have been informed of the cruel
blow you received from the hand of one
you loved, who was unworthy of you,
and yet am not acquainted with you,
nor you with me. Indeed, we have
never looked upon one another's face.
Nevertheless, am about to request you
do me a great favor. VIII you come to
South Street Church tomorrow at eight
o'clockp Come privately, unattended,
and never repeat what takes place there.
VIII you give me, a stranger, lawful
claim to your name, and yet do not seek
to know whom you marry? Ifyou will
DO so, L will make over to you fifty
thousand dollars, payable to your order
at the city bank, as soon as the ceremony
is over. Trusting that the money will
be temptation to you, 1 shall anxiously
await you at the appointed time"
That was all. There was no signature
nothing to give any clue to the writer's
address or abode. Indeed, it was so
terse and unfeminine in its details that
he was tempted to believe some of his
male friends were playing joke on him.
81 will not go-I will not be fooled ~
he said to himself
He flung the missive down, and then
he picked it up, folded it carefully, and
thrust it into his pockets.
He remembered that he had patient
to visit, and went out; but everywhere
the contents of that strange letter was
ringing in his ears. He then went to
see his mother. She was suffering even
more than usual, and number of dun
ming bills had been left for his considera-
tion-bills which he had not the most re-
mote idea how he was to meet. He thrust
them downward and buried his face in
his hands.
Poverty is curse, mother" he
moaned. 81 do not know which way to
turn"
She tried to cheer him, but in vain.
Everywhere he turned, hopeless chaos
seemed to envelope him.
"Ah, if that letter was only real, - he
thought. "Fifty thousand dollars would
make ne rich"
And so he fretted and worried until
the appointed hour came-one moment
vowing he would not go near the place,
the next tempted to see the "farce" out.
Eight o'clock found him stealing in.
He saw two ladies closely veiled, and
gentleman standing in the upper part of
the building, while the minister sat in
chair. There was but one gas jet light
ed, and he could just distinguish the
forms. AS soon as he entered, the gen.
tleman spoke to one of the ladies, and
she advanced to meet him.
care you Dr. Pomeroy ?" she asked,
in a low tone.
81 am"
She led him to where the gentleman
stood, and he extended his hand.
"How do you do, Pomeroy ?" and
Pomeroy recognized in him the Presi-
dent of the city bank. 81 am here by
the request of this young lady," point
ing to the one who had not moved or
spoken, "to inform you that if you agree
to her proposition, am authorized to
pay to your order the sum of fifty thou
sand dollars.''
Pomeroy tried to speak, but his voice
was choked. 1t was no fraud; it was
reality. He stood motionless for mo-
ment; then advanced and offered his
arm to the silent lady. She took it
without quiver, and went with him to
where the minister awaited them. The
ceremony was quietly performed.
DR.. Pomeroy registered his name and
then looked with considerable curiosity
at the bold, plain signature, "Ellen La
tour" which his bride wrote down. The
minister hastily filled out certificate,
which he had brought with him by re-
quest, and which the maid and the
banker signed as witnesses. The bride
took it, kissed it, and thrust it into her
bosom. One moment more and the two
glided swiftly away from sight
DR.. Pomeroy wiped the perspiration
from his brow, and then asked
"Who was she 2"
81 do not know" said the minister.
81 was requested by letter, and paid to