Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-01
NE sTonE ms BRIDE AWAY.
EIopement Extraordinary From . Vir-
ginia Homestead.
IRON he Neao York World

ginia Homestead.
From, tie Neao York World.
LURAY, VA, June 27.-About 20 miles
from this town, in Page county, lives a
farmer named Charles Adams, whose
daughter, Miss BERTHE, aged II years, has
Tor the past year been quite a belle in the
neighborhoOd. Miss BERTHE is a graduate
Of Catholic college in Maryland and a
fue musician. In addition to these ac-
complishments, she was pretty, inteii-
gent aud rich. Her mother made no secret
of her determination that BERTHE should
only marry a rich man.
Alexander Watson, young man living
in the same vicinity, was only poor
farmer with about 100 acres of land, but
this did not prevent his falling desper-
ately in love with Miss BERTHE. Watson
is handsome fellow Of %, industrious
and popular among his acquaintance.
Miss BERTHE gave him encouragement and
about two weeks ago caused scene by
hiding her head on her fathers shoulder
and cOntessng that she loved the young
man and wanted 10 marry him.
Mr.. Adams seems TO have given a con-
ditiOnal promise TO consider the question.
Mrs. Adams, however, proved hard
hearted, and when young Watson next
called TO take BERTHE out driving Mrs.
Adams turned him out of doors. She SUP
posed that she had efectually parted
them, but on Wednesday discovered her
daughter and her lover in conversation
about 200 yards from the Adams mansion.
Mrs. Adams thereupOn locked Miss Ber-
tie in a second story bedroom and
announced that the girl should stay there
until she had promised never to speak to
Watson again. Late in the evening Mrs.
Adams discovered Watson assisting Miss
Berthe out Of the window by means Of a
ladder. The intended elopement was in
terrupted and Miss BERTHE recaptured.
Watson was threatened with arrest and
his sweetheart was put to bed.
Mrs. Adams removed all her chlld's
clothing from the room, except the night
dress, and locked her in the bedroom after
mailing down the window sash. On
Thursday evening Watson visited the
house while the family slept and inter
viewed his sweetheart through the closed
window. The girl was compelled to rise
from the bed, wrapped in the bed-cloth-
ing, and place her ear TO a crack in the
window in order to listen to the loving
words of her untiresome admirer. She
explained to him her predicament IN the
matter of clothing, and then they arranged
for an elOpemeHt last night. WatsOn's
br0ther-In-law is an engineer on the
Shenandoah Valley Railway and runs an
engine north from little water station
At 4 O'Clock this morning he had his
engine in waiting at the water station,
with fires burning brightly and a full head
of steam on. About l o'clock young
Watson drove to the Adams mansion,
carrying in his light wagon fun SUIT Of
ladies' Undertaking, with black silk
dress, hat, veil, gloves, etc, which his
sister had prepared for him. The pro-
gramme was for him to pass the clothing
50 his sweetheart through the window,
and after she had dressed she was to fly
with him TO the waiting engine, by which
they were to reach Luray. When Watson
arrived at the Adams residence, about
3 a. M, he found 10 his dismay that dur
ing the long drive over the rough country
road the bundle of clothing had bounced
out and been lost. In despair, be seized
a carriage robe which he had brought
along and mounted the ladder TO Miss
Adams window.
The girl was waiting in fear and trcmb-
ling, sitting on a chair near the window
with the bed clothing wrapped around
her. Watson explained the misbap and
desperately proposed that the girl should
come with him anyhow. IL took half
nour of pleading to induce her to a0cede
10 the proposal. The lover finally gained
his point and forcing the window, entered
the room. Under Miss I}ertie's direction
he wrapped her trembling form in a
blanket. Then he enVeloped her in the
carriage robe and carried her down the
ladder. When near the ground the latter
snapped in two and Miss BERTHE screamed
as they fell about four feet. They were
uniniured. but as they reganed their feet
Mr.. Adams head shot out OF the window
and he cried to them TO stop. Watson
sprang at the girl, who seemed half in
clined to obey, and throwing her over his
shoulder ran to the waiting wagon.
Ten minutes drive brought them to the
railroad. 1t was now broad daylight, and
as the lovers climbed into a cab they
caught sight Of Mr.. Adams riding madly
towards them. He fired a shot gun and
roared at them to stop. The engine was
at once started and was soon flying to-
wards Luray at the rate of thirty.fve
miles an hour. They stopped just out
side the village and the two men took
turns in carrying the half unconscious
girl to the house Of friend. Here she
was supplied with proper clothing, and
about O'Clock a. m. went into luray
CayeTns with her lover where they were
married. Mr.. and Mrs. Watson then
drove leisurely home.