Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-11-24
A ROMANTIC GREsNA GREEN.

/
HARPER's FERRY, Sept. IA, 1885,
Two things tended to make this place
popular with young couples in the
past. There was some romance in
having the ceremony performed amid
such wild scenery. 1t was the most
convenientspot runaways could reach.
The marriage laws of Virginia are
very strict; and ten years ago the
laws of Maryland were correspond
ingly lax. On payment Of the fee, q
license would be granted the applicant
and the contracting parties themselves
non-existent. Harper's Ferry is con-
nected with the upper valley by a
railroad, a branch of the Baltimore d
Ohio. AS Maryland was just across
the Potomac, this was the most acces-
sible point for lovers whose parents
looked too coldly upon their wooing.
The building of parallel road has
yisibly lessened Harper's Ferry's im-
portance as Gretna, so that its glory
in this respect has probably departed.
My first charge of church was in
this place, and as my home was con-
venient to the depot / was often call
ed upon to mary these runaways. The
bridge crossing the Potomac was the
spot generally selected, and for the
reason that the ceremony must be
performed in Maryland. 1t was the
centre of this great iron structure and
amid surrounding as romantic as can
be found anywhere that the knot was
usually tied.
A marriage on the bridge always at
tracted crowd, which would gather
in spite of the attempts of the couple
and the minister to outwit them. It
was amusing to the crown and an
noying to the minister to meet with a
groom of more than ordinary stupid
ity, who chose his own way of an
swering the question. The question
addressed to the groom was rather a
long one. and the answer was not ex-
pected until I had completed it; but
we sometimes proceeded in this way,
for which there was no remedy. "You
the man, take the woman, p" Yes 4"
-" whom you hold by the right
hand, -" Yes "--"to be your lawful
and married wife," Yes ~" And
you promise, y" Yes -" and cove
nant in the presence of God and these
witnesses, "-"Yes -" that you will
be to her faithful, loving husband"
=" Yes" until you be separated by
death ?'-" Yes" The women was
always the more composed of the
| two.
A young couple in one of the upper
counties Of the valley had become en-
gagged to each and were arranging to
be married. To this the father, and
especially stepmother, were bitterly
opposed. In order to break off the
engagement they determined to send
the girl to some friends in the West.
AS it was necessary to change cars at
Harper's Ferry to the main stem of
the Baltimore and Ohio, the father ac-
companied the girl that far that he
might remain with her while she
waited for the west-bound train. The
arrangements of the parents to send
the girl away was followed by plan
between the young people to outwit
them. In order to do this the pros
pective groom preceded them, and,
arriving at the Ferry some time be-
fore, procured the license and a
preacher, and had made all the neces-
sary arrangements to carry off the
girl. His story had won the sympa-
thy of every one, so that he had plen-
ty of help.
In due time the train arrived and
father and daughter entered the wait
ing-room. Soon after their arrival
the father went into another part OF
the building to write home of their
safe arrival, and to state the fact that
the daughter would soon be Off on heI
way to the West. While he was out
a friend came, and, reckoning to the
girl, took her out through the armory
yard to the bank of the river, where
a boat containing groom and minister
was waiting. The father soon re-
turned, but his charge had flown. Nc
one had seen her. He Immediately
started for the bridge where the mar
riages were usually performed, bu,
not finding her he came back, and
happening to look over in the river
by the light of the moon he saw 9
boat with several figures in 1t. Al
once the truth flashed upon him, but
he could only gnash his teeth in i'm
potent rage while his daughter was
being married before his eyss and hi
was powerless to prevent 1t. AS
punishment to the lovers, however
the boat began to fill with water ane
sink, and they reached the shore witt
difficulty and were thoroughly
drenehed. When they got back Il
the waiting-room the father wal
compelled to admit that he had beer
outwited, and, the matter having
been amIcably arranged, the fatheI
with his daughter and new son-in-lav
got on the next train and went home
together.
The marriage fees never amount t
much-any where from nothing to %
One dollar was the usual fee paid.
married one poor fellow for nothing
He asked me to do so as he had M
money. Promises to pay more wer'
frequent, have yet to receive any ad
ditional fee from any one, ! suppos'
thew must soon have repented of tn
istep taken, and, as l was the chic
J agent in making the yoke so fast, the.
inflicted upon me the only punish
ment possible. Some may be inclin
ed to censure the minister for marry
ing runaways whom | married. ii
some instances they came for the nov
city and romance of being married a
Harper's Ferry. I am sure, however
if parents could know what the min
lister was sometimes compelled to see
; they would thank rather than con
, denim him for what he did.
II REV. w. G. CAMPBELL.
when Baby was sick, We gave her cassoris,