Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-07-29
A Tramp WINS a Wife.


on. Today, says a Brainard, Mimi,
despatch, he is a well-dressed, hand-
some man, with a good home, pros
porous business, and best of all, loving
wife. This sudden and remarkable
transformation was brought about by
the marriage Of Maxwell to Mrs. Cath
crime Berg, one of the richest women
IN Crow Wing county.
Mrs. Berg was pretty buxom widow
of thirty.iive, and is well-known
throughout this section as the owner
of the Berg dairy farm. Four years
ago her husband died, and the farm OF
forty acres, with its well-kept build
ings, It's cows, horses and chickens,
passed into her ownership. With the
assistance of a hired girl, Mrs. Berg
conducted the farm with great success,
and it is said that she has a snug de-
post with a st. Paul bank. Her
good looks, amiable disposition and
abundance OF worldly goods attracted
the attention of nearly every matri-
monialiy inclined man within radius
of many miles, but their attentions,
though graciously received. were
always checked at the most interesting
stage.
After while it began to be gencr-
ally said that Mrs Berg would never
marry again. The only suitor remain
ing was st. Paul commission man,
who had met the woman many times
in a business way. H., encouraged
by the widows lively manner, became
more attentive day by day. Last Sat-
urday evening he called at her home ~
usual, but great surprise was IN stoi"
for him. He was met at the door by
Mrs. Bergs hired girl, who, instead OF
inviting him to walk into the parlor,
as she had invariably done OF previ-
Gus occasions, held the door partly
ajar, as if in doubt as to whether tie
gentleman should be admitted.
"ls Mrs. Berg at home ?" politely
asked the commission man.
"She is, sir, sharply answered the
domestic, that is, Mrs. Maxwell IL
home, but she is with her husband.
She's married TO hobo, sir.
The wonder-stricken caller was ush-
cred into the sitting-room, and there
he saw the woman he loved sitting at'
table with the seediest individual be
had ever seen, and smiling sweetly
upon him.
"This is my husband, said the
bride as she arose. I'VE were married
this afternoon, you see. Our court
ship was not very long, but | think |
got the kind Of man | wanted at last.
and | wanted the thing done up at
once, for fear he'd get away.
Mrs. Berg first saw her second hus-
band on the evening before their mar
rage. An hour or two after milking
time, she and her hired girl were sit
ting at the kitchen table when there
was a loud knock on the door IL was
tramp, and he wanted something to
eat. By the order Of Mrs. Berg he
was brought into the kitchen, and.
while deyouring the cold lunch, was
subjected to catechism Of questions
concerning his past life.
At the conclusion Of the repast, the
tramp requested permission to sleep in
the barn that night, and, greatly TO
his surprise, received permission TO
sleep in the house with the hired man.
Sitting at the kitchen table for several
hours, he entertained them with
stories and songs, and told Of his own
experiences as a knight Of the ties,
without attempting to conceal the fact
that he was nothing but penniless
tramp and had been for years. Mrs.
Berg suddenly asked him, "Are you
married.
The tramp replied that he had been
married years ago, but bad lost his
wife and baby, and Gnce then had
never considered himself worthy Of
second wife. She asked him il be
would marry if he got chance. and
he replied that he would il he thought
he could get woman able to make q
man Of him.
Would you like to marry mel'
abruptly asked the buxom widow.
Maxwell took the question ss joke,
but quickly replied that he would
marry her tomorrow morning. il he
could raise money enough 70 pay the
minister. But the pretty widow was
not joking, sbe wanted q husband
whom she thought she could get along
with, and 20 informed the astonished
tramp. Encouraged by her remarks.
| ne made formal nropoezl. abe accent.