Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-02-02
. 49, -. .
MISSES b. & l.. II. PAYNE,
General Store.

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MISSES b. & l.. II. PAYNE,
General Store.
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Other houses grew up about the place
which she soon had made a Post
Office, and of which she was Postmis-
tress, entitled to draw an annual salary
from the Government. 1t appears on
the books as Rest Post-office, Frederick
County, Virginia. Her many duties
did not totally debar her from social
pleasures, many of which she attended
whether near or far from home. In the
latter case, being of the gentler sex,
with no liking for beaux as escorts or
in any other capacity, she was always
coaXed into staying all night, sharing
the beds of the female occupants of the
house. One of the most recent in
stances was of a Winchester divine,
who considerably had Becky retire
with his spouse, while he contented
himself for the night with the lounge.
ANOTHER MEMBER ADDED TO THE
FAMILY.
Seventeen months ago Miss Sarah A.
Hinton came to the Payne homestead
in the capacity of seamstress and do
nestle. She gave such satisfaction that
she was continued in service and re-
quired to act as clerk in the store, the
trade of which had grown to such pro-
portions as to require Becky's almost
undivided attention, Miss Leila, the
youngest sister succeeding to the care
Of the flock, in which she exhibits a skill
far beyond her years. Miss Hinton be-
coming almost member of the family
was assigned to share of Becky's room
and the two We're thus thrown in daily
contact with each other. Miss Hinton
was forty years ofage and Becky thir-
ty-siX. The close association brought
about mutual confidence and strong
liking, and as the bonds of friendship
grew Becky contided to her
THE SECRET OF HER LIFE,
And of the fears that had possessed her
since certain physical changes had oc-
CURED on her reaching womanhood's
estate. They were a sensible pair.
Miss Hinton was of an aye when suit
ors could not readily be found. They
loved with new and strong love, and
the question ofmarriage was discussed.
DETERMINED UPON THE CEREMONY,
Becky mounted her horse and set out
for Winchester, debating as she went
upon the best mode OF accomplishing
the desired end. She did the wise thing
and went to an attorney, Major Corr
rad, who on hearing the strange story
advised her to first undergo medical
examination, and then, armed with the
physicians certificate verifying her as
one Of the male sex, to go TO the Coun-
ty Clerks Office and ask for license.
The Major then drew up the necessary
form Of application for change ofname
from LYDIA Rebecca Payne to Ernest
Mcclure Payne. DIR. w. a. Mcclure,
although experienced in aft hrs pertain
ing to his calling, was dumbiounded on
hearing the girls statement. Not quite
sure but that his visitors sen ,es were
leaving her he neryed himself to the
task, and, making an examination he
pronounced the Judgment which has
changed the whole feature of the callers
life.
A PHYSICIANS DECISION.
In infancy Becky was to ordinary APP
pearances female child, and by the
accident of an absence of an experien-
ced physician this opinion Of the mid
wife was accepted, and the infant was
duly christened by the name Lydia Re-
becca. A physician of standing would
have given a different verdict. DR.
Mcclure gave the coveted certificate,
WHlCu DCtty tOOh uIot W TIC lawyer
and next to the County Clerk. The lat
ter nearly had fit, and not knowing
exactly what to do, took the safe side
and refused to issue the marriage Ii
oense, arguing that he could not give
person bearing female name a permit
to marry women. Major Conrad was
also foiled In his intention to secure
masculine name for his client, being
told that it could not be done except
by the Circuit Court, which convenes
next March.
SPREADING THE STRANGE NEWS.
Lighter at heart Becky, for that is
still his name, started for home, having
left word with each person TO whom he
had spoken to spread the intelligence,
as the sooner every one knew Of it and
the quicker they got done talking about
it the better. 1t was a disagreeable
thing at best, and he wanted it over at
once. Stopping on the way at the resi-
dence of a relative, Mr.. j. Vance Bell,
she told what had occurred, and reques-
ted Mr.. Bell to purchase a suit of
clothes. Mr.. Bell, dazed like the rest,
went to f. 4 Oehm's store, on Main
street, and bought black suit of dag
onal worsted, the coat being of the
sacque pattern. The clothes delivered
on Saturday. January 10Th, fitted TO
nicely, and that, as well as the two sue
ceeding days, was largely devoted to
the drill of putting them off and on.
with many singular results. Not till
Tuesday last did she tell her sisters
what it all meant, and the nature ofthe