The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-04
CLOTHED ON WITH CHASTITY,
And Night Dress, Was the Costume OF a
Virginia EiOper.
Guray (ya.) Snecial.


Luray (Ya.) Special
About twenty miles from this town in Page
county. lives farmer named Charles Adams,
whose daughter, Miss BERTHE Adams, aged seven
teen years has for the past year been quite q
belle in the neighborhood Miss BERTHE was a
graduate of IA Catholic college in Maryland, and
a notably fine musician. Besides these accom-
piishmentS she was pretty, intelligent and rich
Her mother recognized the girls Importance in
the matrimonial market. and made no secret OF
her determination that BERTHE should only marry
rich man. Alexander Watson, a young man
living In the same vicinity, was only poor
farmer with about 100 acres of ground, but this
did not prevent his falling desperately in love
with Miss BERTHE Watson is handsome young
fellow of twenty five, Industrious and intelligent.
and very popular among his acquaintances
MISS BERTHE gave him all proper encouragement
and about two weeks ago caused scene by hid
ing her head on her fathers shoulder and con-
tossing that she loved the young man and wanted
10 marry him. Mr.. Adams seems to have re-
Tented and gave conditional promise TO consider
the question. Mrs. Adams, however, proved
hard hearted. When young Watson next called
to take BERTHE out driving Mrs. Adams incon-
tinenty turned him out Of doors. She supposed
that she had etfectually parted them, but on
Wednesday discovered her daughter and her
lover in clandestine conversation about 200
yards from the Adams mansion.
Mrs Adams thereupon locked Miss BERTHE in a
second-story bedroom, and announced that the
solemnly never to speak to Watson again Late
in the evening Mrs. Adams discovered Watson
assisting Miss BERTHE out of the window by
means Of ladder. The eopement was inter
rupted and Miss BERTHE recaptured. Watson
was threatened with arrest. and his sweetheart
was put to bed. Mrs Adams eagerly removed
ali her childs clothing except the night dress and
locked her in the bed room, after mailing down
the windOw-Sash. On Thursday evening young
Watson visited the house while the family slept,
aWyo6 HE non na
closed window The girl was compelled to rise
from the bed wrapped in all the bed clothing and
place her ear to a crack in the window in order
to listen to the loving words of her venturesome
admrer. She explained to him her predcament
in the matter of clothing. and then they arranged
for an elopement Friday night Watson's
brother in law is an engineer on the Shenandoah
Valley Railroad, and runs engine north from
little water station near the Adams mansion
to Luray every morning about 4. He had his
engine in waiting at the water station at
o'clock sharp this morning with fires burning
brightly and "a full head Of Steam on.
About o'clock this morning young Watson
drove from his house to the Adams mansion,
carrying IN his light wagon a full suit of ladies
Undertaking. with black silk dress, hat veil,
gloves, etc. which his sister had prepared for
him. The programme was for him to pass the
clothing to 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 A. NJ, he found to his
horror that during the long drive over the rough
country road tine bundle of clothing had bounced
out and been lost, In despair he seized an
enormous carriage robe which he had brought
along and mounted the ladder to Miss Adams S
window. The girl waiting in fear and
trembling. sitting on q chair near the window
with the bed clothes wrapped around her slight
form. Watson explained the mishap and des
perately proposed that the girl should come with
him anyhow. 1t took half an hour of pleading
to induce her to accede to the proposal. The
lover finally gained his point and forcing the
window entered the room Under Miss Bertes
direction, he assisted in sewing her quaking
form up in blanket. Then he enveloped her
in the carriage robe and carried her down the
ladder When the ground the ladder
snapped in two, aud Miss BERTHE screamed as
they fell about four feet
They were uninjured, but as they regained
their feet Mr. Adams's head shot out of the win
dow and lie cried to them to stop. Watson
sprang at the girl, who seemed half inclined to
obey. and throwing her across his shoulder ran
to the waiting wagon. Ten minutes drive
brought them to the railroad. 1t was now broad
daylight, and as the lovers cimed into the cab
they caught sight of Mr.. Adams riding mady
toward them, shotgun in hand and roaring a.
them to halt The engine was at once started,
and was soon flying towards Luray at the rate
of thirty five miles an hour. They stopped just
outside the village. and the two men took turns
in carrying the half unconscious girl to the house
Of IA friend. Here she was supplied with proper
clothing and about o'clock A. NJ went into
Luray with her lover where they were married
by a ministerial friend. Mr. and Mrs. Watson
then drove leisurely homeward.