The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-20
A SORNE AT AN ALTAR.
A Woman's Futile Effort to Stop a
Marriage Cerem ony.


CHICAGO, Nov. miss Gertrude Howe
was about to be married to Frederick
Burke, at PIT South Halsted street. by Rev.
Carl N. Moller, in st. Stephens Church,
when startling incident interrupted the
ceremony. As the pastor recited the for
mula as to whether any reason existed why
the couple ought not to be married tall
fragile, black-eyed girl, bearing a baby in
her arms, stepped forward and sJernly said !:
II forbid the marriage" The church
was crowded with friends who had come to
witness the ceremony. and as this bomb
shell declaration was uttered everybody
started up with amazement. The groom's
ruddy face paled and he staggered as if he
had received a mortal blow. The bride al
most tainted at the altar steps. The cler-
gyman was aghaSt st the unexpected turn
of events. He demanded an explanation
from the woman who had stepped out of a
front pew to dispute the carrying out of
the marriage ceremony. The groom recov-
cred his composure FIRST and whispered to
his best man to bring paper from his over
coat pocket. The document was tben
handed to the clergyman and evidently
proved satisfactory, for the ceremony pro-
ceeded
The girl, who was Sarah Harris. pro-
tested. declaring Burke already had wife
and family ia Canada, and also he had
promised to marry her before he had told
her of his previous marriage. But before
the altar steps the groom declared he was
not married aad that the woman, Sarah
Harris, had signed the document, then in
the minister's hand, giving up all claims on
him for the support of her and their child.
Burke is partner in the grocery store Of
Cairns & Burke. at 217 South Halsted street
Miss Harris was domestic at the residence
of Mrs. Wilcox. of 2S5 West Adams street
Burke delivered the groceries week after
week at the house, aud it was during these
visits he became infatuated with the pretty
domestic. Miss Harris is tall, black haired,
blackeyed girl, with ciear-cut features, and
she made sad havoc with the heart of the
susceptible groceryman. The first met in
December, 1888. and six months afterward
became engaged. Burke deferred the mar
riage time after time, and in APP. il, this
year, baby was born. Five weeks before
the birth Miss Harris procured warrant
for his arrest, and he was arraigned before
Justice White. He then swore he had a
wife and family in Canada, and was
discharged.
Weak and ill, and with no friends to help
her in her great trouble, Miss Harris signed
paper giving up all claims on Burke for
500 and the payment of the doctors fees
Thursday morning Miss Harris was startled
to hear her betrayer was to be married. She
went to see the bride and told her the story
of her sulferings and desertion. The groom
was sent for, but, he in fashion, explained
the matter away. Then the d eceived woman
went to the church determined to Illustrate
the marriage of a man who already had q
wife and family in Canada. But she was
again doomed to disappointment, and she
turned away from the church sick at heart
and weary of the web Of deceit that had
been woven around her To support herself
and baby she works in Talbot Freeman's
restaurant every night. leaving her child in
her room at 80 South Peoria street.