Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-01-14
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MISS HOOkER'S ROMANCE,
n story Equal to ono of Hans Christian
Anderson's Hest Tales.

hlt
Among the victims Of the great Chi
caSo fire in 1871 was a gentleman by
the name Of Hooker. He was u
wealthy merchant Mt the time, but
like many others of his class was
utterly ruined by the great fire.
After this calamity the family
was supported by keeping boardcrs.
Three or four years ago there came
into his family to board two handsome
young Swedes, polished. wcll-educated
and apparently the posseSsors of money
one called Sven and the other Olaf.
Mr., Hookcr's family is American.
That makes no difference. The Swed-
lsh visitors We're well pleased with
their clearinghouse. and the reason
for the genuine satisfaction they dis
played over the matter will be better
realized when it is told how they were
both single gentlemen and how in the
Hooker household there was at least
one unmarried daughter, a fresh, pref
ty, vivacious young lady, who fitted
about the halls and parlors like AN
angel, occasionally pausing to illumin-
ate som3 dark corner with her bright
smile.
That bright SMILE it was that haunted
II of the aifable young S~wcdcs--
young Olaf. The Swedish gentlemen
in the meantime did not seem to care
to engage in any business occupation.
They gave it out that they had come
to America to study the manners, Gus
toms and language Of the country. In
the latter pursuit they were assisted
by the HookerS, and especially by that
daughter of the household, Annette,
who, by her careful attention to Olaf
particularly, had him in Il few months
so that he could speak United States
like a native.
OF course there could be only one
sequel to all this mutually of feeling,
this kindly regard. 1t was announced
that Annette and Olaf were engaged.
and in the early fall of 1885 the twain
were made one. Their wedding trim
included a visit to Lake M%innetonka,
whore they stayed two weeks enioy-
ing their honeymoon. From Mime
tonka they returned to Chicago, and,
bidding an affcctionatc farewell to the
old folks. set out for Olaf's native
land, where Olaf had proposed they
should spend the remainder of their
days. After n brief stay in London
they speed across to Christiania.
Much 10 her surprise the bride found
an elegant equipage fitted out with
liveried driver and with footman
awaiting them at the steamship
dock, and she heard her husband give
some direction to the coachman by
which she inferred that the equipagc
was his own. She asked no questions.
The pair were driven through the city
into an aristocratic suburb ornamcntcd
win me residences Of wealthy people
and with the grounds and palaces of
the nobility. When the most extensive
and most magnificent of all the palaces
was reached the coachman wheeled
hls stecds in upon the grounds.
"Now, said Olaf, ''we will alight; |
want You to come in and look over this
palace and see how the great of the
land live" Annette gazed with awe
upon the noble pile. At first she ey.
hibited shyness at the thought Of going
in and meeting the great people. But
her husband finally induced her to take
a walk through its halls. When they
came out he asked her what she
thought of it. The young bride ex.
pressed her admiration for what was
really the finest palace in the vicinity
of the great city Of Christiania. He
listened to the rapturous compliments
that poured from her lips.
"Annctte," he said, slowly, ..this is
your future home" 1t was af,erward
explained to her that her husband was
the o OF Il nobleman with a fortune
Of sl3, 0OO. 600.
Olaf and his bride are now living
happily together in the great palace in
the suburbs of Christiania. -Chicaoo
Tribune.