The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1885-07-09
ElOping in Her NightgOWn.
[From Kansas City Times.

Luray, Va, June a7-About twenty
miles from this town, in Page county,
Ives a farmer named Charles Adams,
whose daughter, Miss Bertie Adams, aged
Il years, has for the past year been quite
a belle in the neighborhoOd. Miss Bertie
was a graduate of a Catholic college in
Maryland and a notably fine musician.
Besides these accomplishments she was
pretty, intelligent, and rich. Her mother
recognized the girls Importance in the
matrimonial market, and made no secret
of her determination that Bertie should
only marry rich man. Alexander Wat
son, young man living in the same Vicln-
ity, was only a poor farmer with about 100
acres of ground, but this did not prevent
his falling desperately in love with Miss
BERTHE. Watson Is a handsome young fell
low of % industrious and intelligent,
and very popular among his acquaIntan-
ces. Miss BERTHE gave him all proper en-
cOuragement, and about two weeks ago
caused scene by hiding her head on her
fathers shoulder and cOnfessng that she
loved the young man and wanted to mar
ry him. Mr.. Adams seems to have re
Tented, and gave a conditional promise to
consider the question. Mrs. Adams, how
ever, proved hard hearted. When young
Watson next called to take Bertie out dri
d
him out of doors She supposed she had
effectually parted them, but on Wednes-
day discovered her daughter and her lover
in clandeStine conversation about 300
yards from the Adams mansion.
Mrs. Adams thereupOn locked Miss Ber-
tie in "a second d-stOry bedroom, and an
nounced that the girl should stay there
until she had promised solemnly never to
speak to Watson again. Late in the eve
ming Mrs. Adams discovered Watson as
sisting Miss BERTHE out of the window by
means of ladder The elopement was
interrupted and Miss Bertie recaptured.
| Watson was threatened with arrest and
his sweetheart was put to bed. Mrs. Adams
eagerly removed all her child's clothing
except the night dress. and locked her in
the bedroom after mailing down the win
dow sash On Thursday evening young
Watson visited the house while the family
slept. and interviewed his sweetheart
through the closed window. The girl was
compelled to rise from the bed wrapped in
the bedclothing and place her ear TO a
crack in the window in order to listen to
the loving words of her venturesome adj
mirer. She explained to him her predlc-
ament in the matter of clothing, and then
they arranged for an elopement Friday
night. Watson's brother in-law is an en-
and runs an engine north from little
water station near the Adams mansion to
Luray every morning about t. He had
his engine in waiting at the water station
at o'clock sharp this morning, with fire:
burning brightly and a full head of steam
on.
About 1 o'clock this morning young
Watson drove from his house to the Adams
mansion, carrying in his light wagon {
full suit of ladys underclothing, with
black silk dress. hat, veil. gloves, etc
which his sister had prepared for him. The
progl anime was for him to pass the cloth
ing for his sweetheart through the win
dow, and, after she had dressed, she wa
to fly with him to the waiting engine b.
which they were to reach Luray. Whei
Watson arrived at the Adams residence
about , "a. M, he found to his horror tha
during the long drive over the rougl
country road the bundle of clothing ha'
bounced out and been lost. In despair h
seized an enormous carriage robe whicl
he had brought along and mounted the lad