The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-19
AUTOCR ATTIC BOOTH
salvation Army General wouldn't Let His
son Marry the Woman OF Ills Choice.

salvation Army General Wouldn't Let His
son Marry the Woman OF his Choice.
. From the New York World.
/ The following true story is told
among the auxiliary forces of the Sal
walton Army in this city as showing
how hopeless it is to try and change
the will of General William Booth, an
| autocrat greater If possible than the
Gar of Russia-for what Car would
refuse utterly to consult the wishes OF
his children on so personal a subject
as their marriage.
Some years ago Miss Susie Swift
beautiful, talented and young, was
graduated at Vassar college with high
honors. Her father, a retired merchant
OF Poughkeepsie, is a millionaire. He
was one of the first trustees of Vassar.
and is prominent in many boards. bust
ness, educational and charitable, in
that fine old city by the Hudson. His
home was palace, and, until mortal
sorrow fell upon 1T, it was a happy one.
Soon after the graduation of Miss
Susie, Mr.. and Mrs. Swift and their two
daughters started on a European tour,
London was one of the first of their
contemplated stopping places. One
night while they were there the two
girls, In spirit of fun and curiosity
attended a Salvation Army meeting.
They went to scott. they remained to
pray.
The older sister. who had been re-
marked for her absence of spiritual
qualities-indeed, she was a witty, har-
emscarem girl, with whom religion
seemed the last thing to be associated,
was the first to pass under the spell of
the meeting. Her sister followed her
upon her knees, and before the meeting
ended both had been converted and de-
clared their intention of renouncinR the
world and inininpr 10
When the young women returned to
their hotel and stated their purpose to
their parents the latter were appalled,
At first they could not believe it. They
pleaded, entreated, insisted. All in vain
The daughters were firm. They were
both of legal age and could do what
they would.
The Salvation Army authorities were
argued with, but said that the matter
rested with the consciences of the
young women. If they felt called of
God to do His work. to give up their
lives TO the cause to which the army
was pledged, they were only doing that
which all other soldiers had done be-
fore them.
At last the parents were forced to
give X up. The tour abandoned, and
broken-hearted, the aged couple return
ed to their lonely house in Poughkeep-
sic, which has been a house of sorrow
10 Inem ever since.
In Salvation Army work both of the
sisters prospered. They entered into
1t. these delicate, pampered daughters
OF fortune, with that zeal so common
with persons OF their station, not only
enduring but rejoicing i'm it's hardships,
and taking upon them the very lowliest
ana most disagreeable forms of slum
work. Their promotion was rapid
Once in a long time they took fur
lOuRhQ and hnfton tn q
ents at their fathers expense. But as
soon as they went back to London IL
was to dress with the poorest and eat
OF the commonest fare. There Is no
aristocracy in the Salvation Army.
In the course of time the elder sister
and Herbert Booth, the son of the gem
eral, who Is prominently named as the
coming commander of the United
States, found that their work brought
them much together. They also found |
that in many things there was a COM |
mon sympathy between them. In short.
they fell in love. the ardent young En-
lishman and the beautiful and cultured |
American. and in the natural course of |
time and true love they became en-
gagged.
But when. I'm obedience to the rules |
or the salvation Army. which permits |
no soldier to marry without consent |
from headquarters, they carried the |
matter to General Booth. the latter re- |
FUSED absolutely to countenance the |
union. Not that he had anything to |
complain of either in his son or the 1
charming young officer, but he simply |
decided in his wise mind that they were |
not suited to each other or to his plans. !
So the engagement was broken off. !
Subsequently Herbert married a wo-
man of the generals choosing. Miss |
Swift has remained single. Her sister. |
however. who is now a captain in the /
salvation Army. married one of its /
English officers.
IL was said when the old man refused /
TO let his son marry the maiden of his /
choice he was himself in love with her.
But that is only gossip. Yet the incl 4
dent goes TO show that the will of Cen
eral Booth is law even in affairs of the
heart and home.