The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-01-14
a Marriage First Revealed at the Brides
Funeral.

y
amiable woman, who had figured promi-
nently in the social circles of the West
End, were being consigned to the family
vault amid the sobs of relatives and do
Tnestics, the tears of friends and express
,sions of sorrow and regret on every side.
As the forally laden casket was lowered
ats inscription: ''Nancy Miriam Rob
bins" caught the eye of a young female
domestic, who broke her emotions of
grief with the whispered utterance:
'@.Why should 2 they bury her under
her maiden name? What is the
use of perpebiating q living lie?"
Those words were intended for
no one in particular; they fell upon the
ear of pall-bearer, who was visibly
moved by the startling self-addressed
query, and when the young girl returned
TO the line of carriages awaiting mourn
ers and friends she was pressed for an
explanation of her voluntary remark.
This was given with some reluctance
during the brief interval of closing the
vault, and its import was clearly stamped
kpon the visage of the questioner, a
Young man well known in society here,
whose ill-concealed agitation was gener-
ally remarked on the return of the funer-
al cortege homeward. He was spared
any reference to the interview with the
domestic and feeling of sympathy pos
sessed the occupants Of the pall-bearers'
carriage, for it was pretty well under
stood among them that the hopes of
their friend had been buried in the vault
Just closed. The conversation took the
form of a discussion in memoram of the
qualities of mind and heart possessed by
the deceased young lady. Nancy Rob-
bins was a great favorite in social cir
Giles, and as long as her health would
permit she shone conspicuously in the
reception saloons of the West End. The
only daughter of wealthy retired eiti-
zen, this charming young lady stepped
from the portals of the Sacred Heart Con-
vent into society here five years since, and
made decided impression among the
bearx of the last semi-decade. Her
sweet girlish grace and innocentf face won
admirers everywhere. She assumed the
duties of directing her fathers house
hold, her mother having died many years
since, and the Indifferent health of Mr.
Robbins rendered a daughters care and
attention q marked feature of her daily
life. After time the daughters health,
TOO, declined in such manner as to
occasion serious alarm, and, acting upon
the advice of medical men and friends,
Miss Robbins went to a Water-cure es-
Establishment at Cleveland. There she
met and surrendered her heart to the
assistant physician of the establishment,
DIR. J. H. North, a dignified gentleman
several years her senior. Miss Robbins
was a willing captive, and in letters
home to her confidential friends here she
told of her admiration for the doctor in
such terms that the verdict from gentle
lips was: " Nancy means to marry that
man! 1t is an easy conquest for him. "
Among her friends at home, however,
who discussed this penchant for the
Cleveland doctor, it was conceded that
q dissentient voice would be raised by old
Mr.. Robbins. Although devoted to his
daughter, it was known that he discour-
aged the attentions of any and all suitors
for her hand. Somewhat of cynic, the
old gentleman placed mercenary con-
structions upon the advances of every
male visitor at the family mansion, a
comfortable residence ON the corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Walnut Street.
The young, penniless sprouts hanging
on the skirts of society, feasting and
winning from one house to another during
the social season on the passport of a
spry foot and a swallow-tail, were not
welcome beneath Mr.. Robbins roof,
His only aim for his daughter was that
she should be comfort to him in his de-
clining years of sickness. 1t savored of
sacrifice, and the old gentleman knew
it, for he gave in money, notes and real
estate about $4,000 to his daughter
during her mlnistratons beside his couch.
Before leaving the Water-cure Miss Rob-
bins addressed letter to young lady
friend in st. Louis, stating that she had
fully resolved to marry the doctor at all
odds, and that even her father could not
stand between them. When she returned
home Mr.. Robbins became somewhat
impressed with the curative qualities of
the system prescribed by the doctor and
ats result upon the health of his daughter
and he sent for him to come on to St.
Louis for treatment in his own case.
DIR. North succeeded in capturing not
only the daughter but the old man, who
pointed out to him what fine
field for practice the West End
was and offered to build an Office ON the
corner lot fer him. This arrangement
was entirely acceptable to the doctor.
He pitched his tent right there, and
boarded with the Robbins family, va
eating his position at Cleveland. While
the old gentleman appreciated the adj
vantageSof physician under the roof,
he steadily discountenanced anything in
the shape of matrimonial attentions to
his daughter. and the two hearts beating
AS one met at the same table day after
day with little prospect of authorized
union. Indeed the respectful awe for
the head of the house was Of such de-
gree that in order to ward off suspicion
IN the paternal mind an air of indiffer-
,ence was affected on both sides. But
this condition of things could not be suf-
fered long, and the doctor and the
daughter determined upon secret mar
riage. 1t so happened that Presby-
ferian minister known to the doctor was
in town upon a. visit, and he was APP
,orised of the facts in confidence. After
satisfying himself that Miss Robbins was
OF age, and of her own free will and con-
sent pressed the marriage, the visiting
divine promised to perform the cere-