Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-03-03
ALMosT-BU LOST.
A Hitch Occurs in an Elopement
and the Bridegroom Is changed
at the Last Moment.

at the Last Moment.
Persons in the city who heard the
long and loud whistle of the engine
Of the incoming accommodation
train Friday night knew that there
was bridal party aboard. The
engineer always honors clipping coup
les with serenade of this kind. In
this instance the matrimonial venture
was not only romantic in the extreme
but highly sensational, as the follow
ing recital will show: Miss Emma
Henderson, daughter of Mr.. E. ii.
Henderson, of this city, was the hero
inc of the affair." For two years she has
had two ardent and devoted ad-
mirers-Mr. W. Ii. Martin, hand
some young druggist of Crofton, and
Mr.. o. S. Stevens, a prominent young
confectioner of this city. Both young
gentlemen have been engaged to Miss
Henderson. Last Thursday the
young lady wrote to Martin to come
to Hopkinsville and she would elope
with him the next day. Martin came
on the wings of the wind and the
couple left OH the 6: as train Friday
morning. The young lady's mother
was friendly to Martin, her father
was Indifferent, while her brother
John was on Stevens side. The
clipping couple reached Springfield
before 8 o'clock and Mr.. Martin
went at once to the clerks Office and
secured his license, at an expense of
$3.50. lie insisted upon an immediate
marriage, but the young lady, who
had shed tears on the way asked TO
have the ceremony postponed an
hour or two. She sent for the land
lord and TO him she coniided the
secret that was making her hesitate.
She told him she loved two young
men and after examining her heart
was convinced that shc loved the one
at home better. The landlord vol
unteered his services and she gave
him the following telegram 10 send I:
Mr. o. s. STEVENS,
IIopkinsvllle, Ky:
Come to Springfield on first train. am
waiting for you.
EMxA L. HENDERSON"
Stevens, accompanied by the young
lady's brother, took the IL ;26 train
and arrived ut Springfield shortly af-
ter 3 o'clock. Miss Henderson had
in the meantime againput Martin of,
giving as reason that her brother
would come at 3 O'Clock, and she
would wait until he arrived.
The brother and Stevens arrived
and repaired TO the hotel, where the
whole party discussed the situation.
Miss Henderson had an interview
privately with each ofthe lovers and
her brother also talked to them. The
case was decided in Stevens favor and
the sorrowful information was I'M
parted to Martin as mildly as possible.
lie declared that he was devotedly
attached to the young lady but was
willing TO abide by her decision aid
accepted the verdict in manly way.
lie returned TO the clerks Office and
that official refunded his money.
Mr. Martin then attended the wedding
aud although he had not spoken to
Mr.. Stevens ortwo years he "buried
the Ratchet" and congratulated him,
and saluted his bride with a kiss.
The whole party then left on the re-
turning train for this city. Mr.. Mar
tin sat IN the same double seat with
the bride and groom and accepted the
verdict in very graceful manner.
Mr.. and Mrs. Stevens repaired to the
residence of the brides parents and
all hands concluded toiaccept the de-
cision of the young lady and make the
best oft. Mr.. Martinhas a marriage
license as good as new which he will
dispose of at bargain. lie regrets
the turn affairs took, but is disposed
to view the matter plllosophically
andncilher fly into passion nor
give way to poignant grief.