The times., 1898-11-08

flight from parental restraint, q
search for a minister, rewarded by the
discovery of one of color. return, Il mid
night confession to mother-in-law, for
giveness, bliss.
These were the romantic incidents
which marked the launching on the rolling
biliows of matrimony of the conjugal
bark of Frank Iseman and Clara Edna
Lee yesterday and last night.
Mr. lseman lives at Col Pennsylvania
Avenue southeast. He is matchmaker.
Miss Lee is the daughter of James Lee,
painter and Temperance lecturer of some
renown, VINO lives at 3l5 Twelfth Street
northeast. Mr.. lseman met Miss Lee
about three years ago, and they have been
devoted to each other ever since.
The progress of their courtship how
ever was uneven, as is the proverbial
course of true love. and the young lady's
parents objected. The lovers, instead of
allowing this to cool their ardor, became
more devoted, and managed TO meet at
the houses of friends.
Clandestine meetings, though, were not
satisfactory, and as Mr.. and Mrs. Lee
continued to disapprove of their daugh-
ter's choice. the two young people deter
mined TO put an effective check upon fur
ther annoyances by getting married. To
do that in the city without allowing the
elder Lees 10 learn of il would, they
knew, be impossible. so they decided upon
Rockville. They left yesterday afternoon
for that place, and there their adventures
began. Upon their arrival they secured
rustic cabman and asked TO be driven
TO the house of 4 minister. The driver
look them TO the residence of the Rev.
DIR. White, but he was absent. The Rev.
Mr. Armstrong was next tried with the
same result. A list of the ministers OF
the city was procured and they visited
the residences OF all of them without find
ing one at home. In desperation Mr.. Ise-
man asked if they had exhausted the list.
That's all the white ones, but there
are some colored ones in town the
driver said.
Take us to colored one" said Mr..
Iseman.
The two were accordingly driven to the
house of the Rev. Mr. Clayborne and
found that he had just moved. Fate SEEM
ed against them, but the prospective
groom was determined and by dint of
some persuasion and few questions he
got the driver 10 find the new abode of
the colored parson.
Mr.. clayborne was home The license
which Mr.. Iseman had secu- ell Immediate
ly after arriving in Rockville was pro-
cured, and In a few minutes Miss Lee be-
came Mrs. iseman. Tie ceremony was
performed about 1870 o'clock, and the
newly-married pair had 10 make a des-
perate rush 10 the depot. which was some
distance from the home of the minister.
III order 10 catch a train. In this how
ever. they were successful. and they
reached Washington shortly after s
O'Clock
Miss Lee proceeded at once to the home
of her parents, with the distinct under
standing that the marriage was to be
Kept secret for at least a month. Mr..
1seu1an returned to his home, met his
brother with whom he had dinner, and
spent the evening with friends. But for
the inevitable circumstance which always
turns up TO mar the plots of love, the
marriage would be, perhaps, a secret
still.
communication from Rockville re-
resled the little romance to some one in
Washington. a Times reporter had al
most as difficult time locating Mr.. Ise-
man as that gentleman had had to find q
minister. He finally discovered him how
ever. near his home. In Sixth Street and
revealed the fact that his little secret was
4 secret no longer.
Mr.. Iseman was very much exercised.
but upon being assured that the story
would be printed, he accepted the situa-
ton with good grace. The reporter adj
vised him to go around to the house and
confess to Mrs Lee, thinking that bet
ter plan than to allow her to find out for
herself. Mr.. Isemsn decided that the ad
vice was good and accompanied by his
fI,.a tor
repaired to the Lee home.
The bride appeared at the door and a
whispered conversation ensued, Mrs. Lee
having retired to the sitting room. Young
Iseman explained that the elopement had
been discovered by the newspapers and
said that he thought the best thing to do
was TO tell Mrs. Lee before she saw 1t
herself.
Mrs Iseman demurred She thought it
better to wait until the morning and let
her mother make the discovery. She
finally yielded to the persuasions of her
husband and ushered the party into the
parlor Mrs. Lee was called into the
room. When she appeared Mrs. 1seman
said:
Mamma. let me introduce you TO my
husband" and then sat down on sofa,
calling Frank Iseman to her side.
Mrs. Lee smiled and said that she did
not quite understand. Her remark was
followed by a painful and embarrassing
silence. No one seemed to care to vol
unteer to further enlighten Mrs. Lee ex
cept the reporter, who took up the mat
ter where Mrs. lseman had rather alb
ruptiy left off and related the events OF
the day.
Mrs. Iseman, helped out by her husband,
then went over the story of the marriage,
omitting to mention the color of the min
Mrs. Lee beamed and smiled. AS the hour
was late and there were no further details
TO arrange, the party decided to adjourn.
1t was evident from the attitude of the
brides mother that she was not resentful
and all were satisfied, except the groom.