Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-01-29
CUPID DID IT ALL.
ATalk With the Man Who Has Al
ways Been a Woman.
She Found Out Her Mistake When
She Fell In Love.
Her Clothes Fit Badly, but Hence
forth She Will be John G.
Former BaIdhsadsd Suitors Down
at the Mouth.
ISnscinl Do the RsniStEr.

| Special 10 the RegSter.
WINCHESTER, Va, January 2S.-The mys-
terious parsonage known as Elizabeth Re-
becca Payne, in this community, but who
now claims to be man, reached the village
| of Rest near here this afternoon with his
bride, nee Annie Hinton. Payne is OF
medium build and does not look unlike .
man until be attempts to walk or move.
Then his lack of familiarity with male ha-
biliments becomes apparentS He wore .
plain gray pepper,and-salt coat to-day,
black vest and black trousers. The latter
fitted closely to his neither limbs, which are
| of fine mold and as dehcately constructed
and shspely as those Of female.
~ really did not suspect my true sex, he
said to The REGISTEs correspondent, until
three or tour weeks ago, when some casual
remarks made by lady friend sro1sed my
suspicious. then determined to go to Mr..
Mcguire, but did not inform him of my
perplexity. After professional inquiry he
at once, but with much hesitancy, made
known my true sex. Isuppose 1t was the
force of nature which impelled me to fall
in love with Miss Hinton, although never
could understand the feeling which my
passion for her inspired when I first met
her as servant in our family, and was
struck with her beauty and ladylike bear
ing, and soon found that thought a great
deal more Of her than anyone else knew"
"Will you wear mans clothing hence
forth, Mr.. Payne? asked the correspond
ert.
'Of course will, he responded, with an
expression which would have been
Mistaken for Blush
had he been q woman. IL wish l could
continue in the dress have worn all my
life, but people would look at NE so that l
would be annoyed"
How did you manage about getting
your boots on"
We'll, now, do you know" he remarked,
with womanly giggle, 81 had an awful
time? We men have TO get used to these
things, however"
Mrs PAYNE, who is pleasant faced, re-
fined lady of about twenty-five years, at
first refused to talk, but her husband told
her she had better have the trouble over
and done with it. She said she had looked
on Mr.. Payne as q woman until he had in
formed her otherwise. Then she ceased to
regard him as q man aud they became low
ers as they had been friends. She was moi
at ali ashamed of the new experience OF
her husband, and her love for him was such
that she did not care what the world said
about him. She knew he was a man and
that was enough for her.
Payne, through his counsel, will apply
to the court to have his name changed to
John Calhoun Payne at the next sitting of
the court, He intimated that he will then
remarry his wife IN Virginia.
His sisters accepG the situation phlloso-
phicallv, and do not hold any ill-feeliugs
against their new sister-in-lsw. Payne to-
dsy rode on horseback into Winchester.
For the first time the residents saw him
sitting astride the beast instead OF on
lady's side-saddle. He appears to be per
fectly Indifferent to public curiosity, and
popchalantly replies to any questions OF
humorous character that is asked him, and
such questions have been fairly numerous.
A Nine Days wonder in the valley,
Previous to his application for license
Payne, it is said, informed two or three of
his male friends in the neiehborhood that
he intended TO mary Miss Hinton, recon-
psnylng the information with afurther rev.
elation Of his true sex.
The astonishing news had spread around
the neighborhood of the Paynes' home,
situated some seven miles south of Win
chester. before the marriage license was
asked for, and some cautious whispers
of il had reached Winchester itself. As
Miss Psyne," the mysterious person
age, had been known for many years in
this vicinity, the unseIing came upon the
community like q clap OF thander from
clear sky. Ii spread throughout the valley,
perysded all classes Of society and was
soon upon the lips Of every one. Nothing
since the great battles OF the late war ms
created so decided a sensation IL this ln-
teresting and hi storic little city aud no
and down the Shensn3oah Valley. rne
Payne family were of undoubted respsct,-
bility and prominence. Therefore society
TOOK up the matter and discussed 1t, IN q
dszed sort of way at first and then became
amused at the humorous features. The
people maryelled and laughed almost IN
the same breath. 1t was all so strange, ana
vet so irresisiibiy funny. The whole town
has seen Miss Payne ride into Winchester
hundred times in years past dressed SIS
lady; had bowed to her, respected her, ad
mired her somewhat masculine grace aud
ease in mausging her spirited animal, aud
several gentlemen whose hair were
tinged with gray, to-day recalled some
gallant little speeches just dashed Win
tenderness which they had uttered
when bowling over her hand IN years
past. A few OF them rememoefeu
The time when at some evening entertain
ment they had quoted poetry to her under
the inspiration of muslc's magic spell.
I'ster on in life they recalled her as the ac'
EnovIedsed head of her family; woman
~ snirit' wit, intelligence and decided ousl'
ness capabilities. Winchester and the Val,
Law of Virginia remembered this and
w6ndarei and laughed and laughed anu
wondered again.
Among Her Old BeauN.
Rebecca was we'll known among large
number of stock dealers. She was so sue
cassful in all her business ventures that
she amassed quite snug fortune. She did
not mingle freely with either sex, but gave
her principal attention to business. her
avss are brown. and her complexion
.iisbtIv brouzsd like one who had been ex-
nosed TO the sun. The supposed woman
psver had any sign Of 8 beard, ana ner
voice is not unfeminine. -, h-
AS Miss Payne's business otten leu neI
N winchester while she was womsn' ner
tsll commanding figure was q iamlllai ouT
on the baltimore and Ohio trains, and al
the conductors enjoyed her acquanlamacs'
These gentlemen, among whom are Eu
5nctor Clarence C. Newport, OF the bar
nsr,s Ferry and Valley branch, ana Oon'
Sncfor Jobu Doll, on the Winchester ac
commodatiop, from Baltimore, nave 9een
objects of special attention among .nsn
passengers for the past three or TOUR uayS
They are asked all about the strange oe.us
who was once q woman but Is nov ., -.
and many sly illusions are maue .r;ns nc
Difference they used TO dispisy t-.vsI