Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-09-02
Romantic story OF . Rescue II
Atlantic CITY.

Ch Iiiudy ofcuiuk lasL Two iona
hearts were united In Phila., Captain
Michael Bradford, Of Pittsburg, mar.
rying the daughter Of a wealthy citi-
zen OF Philadelphia Itappears that in
the early part of the present season at
Atlantic City, Captain Bradford, who is
in charge of the Bradford Brothers
Pier, saved the life of the young lady
resulted In an acquaintance which ripen-
ed into love and finally wound up in we'd
lock.
The young woman had left her at
tendaht and In com batting the breakers
was drawn far out into the ocean by the
undertow, which was unusually strong.
Her perilous position was not observed
by the other batEers until she gave an
agonizing cry for help, and disappeared
beneath huge breaker.
Captain Bradford, who il always on
the alert, leaped from the board walk
and in twinkling was at the side of
the drowning girl. When he reached
her she was unconscious, aud was be-
ing tossed about by the heaving bill
lows. In this condition she was brought
TO shore, and with the application OF
restoratives returned to consciousness.
The young woman was profuse in her
thanks to the lifeguard who lad saved
her from a watery grave. \ few days
afterward she called at Brad ford 3
headquarters and again returned thanks
Ever after that she was accompanied
by arelative when in bathing. Her
visits to the: beach became more fire.
quent, and she very rarely missed her
morning bath. 1t was observed that
she was wont to linger about Bradford s
tent, and was frequently seen in con-
versation with the Captain. This
aroused the suspicion Of her relative,
who kept a close surveillance over her,
and she was. finally obliged TO resort
to strategy in order to communicate
with the Captain.
The acquaintance, which had such n
strange origin, ripened into love, which
the brave Pittsburger had the gallantry
to reciprocate. Meetings on the beach
between the two in their bathing cos
tunes during bathing hours be-
came frequent, and when the young
lady's relatives demonstrated, love mis-
sives were passed between the two.
These missiyes were written on scraps
of paper found on the beach and areIre-
tanned by the young couple as relics of
their romantic courtsbip. The couple
were engaged a few weeks after forming
acquaintance and the marriage was
clandestinely consummated on Friday
last during the temporary absence of
the young girls attendant.
The bride Is only II years of age, and
is handsome and accomplished. Her
father Is represented as being a very
wealthy merchant. Captain Bradford
is about 50 ears of age, modest and un-
assuming. Nine years ago he, together
with his three brothers, Christ, Edward
and John, established the Life-Guard
Station at Atlantic City. Since that
time they have saved 432 lives and not
lost one. A few years ago, Christ, who
was u veritable sea dog, became para
lyzed in the service, and since that time
Mike has been captain of the crew. The
record of the Bradford boys for daring
and bravery in saving threatened VIC
tins Of the briny deep is unequaled by
any of the life guards on the Atlantic
coast.
Recently Captain Bradford was offer
ed a position lin :.the::government life
guard service, but declined it, preferr-
ing the volunteer service, which has
not at all been rumunerative during
the past few years. Captain Bradford
will remain On duty during the remain
der of the present season, after which
he will return to Pittsburg with his
bride.