Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-07-03
MILLIONAIRE TRAMP.
How a Washington Widow Caught
Husband and Fortune.
Tracing the Wanderer with Postal Cards
SuccessfuIIy--The Brides Story Of
Romance and Wealth.

WASHINGTON, July "A marriage, about
which there is favor Of romance and
something OF the ludicrous. took place at
the rectory OF Epiphany Church, this city,
last evening in the presence Of few
friends OF the contracting parties.
c. c. Merritt, OF Baltimore, youth OF
tyenty.three or more. and Mrs. Hattie
Howard. OF the Dundores Employment and
Claim Agency, an alleged grass widow,
were the cont rlctiDg parties.
Mrs. Howard, who 10 described rs "fair,
fat and forty" says she is thirtythree.
Merritt is a rather wild young fellow, who
ran away from home IN Baltimore several
wears $40 and has picked up a living about
here through situations procured for him
by Mrs Dundore and her clerk, tue un.
blushing bride.
Left q Fortune.
A few months ago he disappeared and
recently his father in baltimore. who had
disowned him after he rau away. died leay.
, ing him fortune variously estimated al
figures reaching above q million. The fair
| Howard warmed up her affections for the
wandering orphan and heir, and by great
| effort found lis whereabouts and informed
him OF his fortune.
Here's the way she tellsit: "He was very
wild and would 90 off and be regular
tramp and then come back and Mrs. Dun
dore would clean him up and straighten
him all out again.
How Mrs. How ard Fsusd Him.
Late in the winter lie disappeared for
good. We thought. Not very long ago We
got word from Baltimore that his father
was dead and he would be very rich. Mrs.
Dundore was in Florida.
II thought he was in Virginia, 10 went
10 work TO find him myself. sent postal
cards addressed 70 him, telling him 10 come
here, all over the State, and one reached
,, uIm a, Newport News.
Three weeks ago last Monday he walked
in this Office and said: Well here / am,
what do you want"
Caleb. said I. your father is dead and
he tainted right of.
CaIeb's Csartship.
81 sent word TO Mrs. Dundsre and she
came home. We didn't let him 20 % Bal
timore for fear that some people there
might try to put him in the insane asylum
in order 70 get his money.
81 had no more ides that be Was going "a
ask me 10 marry him than have that you
will before you leave this Office"
But didn't be show any fondness foi
you before his return
"Oh, yes. Let me see. II was last
winter that said 10 Dundare: 'Dundsre
do you know that that cub Of yours IS try
ing 10 make love TO me-
We'll, never you mind, Howard said
she. some OF these days that boy will hay,
more money than you ever had or evei
will have
Afraid OF what People Will Say.
"So, indeed" continued Mrs. Howard
II didn't have any idea that he wanted tc
marry me until be asked me 70. Ialmos
backed out several times because ] thint
people will say that was fortune-hunter
and that inveiglsd him into marryini
me. We will have . reception next veei
some time and will invite you 70 IL. bu
you must not say mean things about M
and rake me over the Goals in the paper.
You are interested in the emploJmen
agency. are you no,T' ssked the reportsr.
"Ob, yes" was the reply. "Mr. Dunbar
attends 10 the Law and claim business ant
to the agency"
will you continue IL after your nss
mo. indeed. We will have plenty Q
money and will help spend it, and vii
spend il right, too"