The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-13
BECAME A SOLDIERS BRIDE.
FEAR OF PUNISHMENT DID NOT DE-
TER PRIVATE CURRAN.

TER PRIVATE CURRAN.
Six Weeks Ago He Met Miss Bessie
Christian at the Macon Camp-His
Love Lost Him His sergennts
Strfpes-she Followed Him to sa-
vannnh and Last Night They Were
Welded While the Provost Guard
Sought the GrOOm-TO he at His
Side In Santiago As Soon as the
Way Is Open.
In the parlor of the Planters Hotel, at
10 o'clock last night, with the provost
guard searching for him on the streets,
Private J. C. Curran of Company l. Third
United States Regiment was married to
Miss Bessie Christian of Macon. To-day
Che husband of a few hours will return to
his command TO receive whatever punish
ment may be in store for him. Tonight,
his bride, smiling through her tears. viii
return TO her home. supported In their
separation by the determination to join
her husband at Santiago as soon as a way
can be found.
The story is pretty one of a soldiers
brief love, of a courtship under difficult
ties and of a wedding in a strange city
on the eve Of departure for city of pesti-
ience. Six weeks ago Private Curran and
Miss Christian had never met. The Third
regiment was in camp at Macon, and
Curran was a sergeant in Company 1. He
is fine-looking soldier, tall, erect, of
good physique and martial bearing.
Miss Christian was one of the hundreds
of Macon's girls who focked to the camp
to see the regimental life. By accident
she and the sergeant became acquainted.
1t Is the old, old story, which is said to
be always new. The camp took on a new
interest for Miss Christian, and life took
on more roseate shade for the gallant
sergeant. Loves flowers blossomed in the
company street, and soon bloomed in all
its sweetest fragrance and beauty.
The sergeant soon lost his stripes.
1t was not through inattention
to his duties, but by over
staying his leaves of absence. He could
not plead that loves magic spell had
made him lnger longer in the city than
MS pass permitted. But the passing of
the stripes only added new fuel 10 the
flames of love in the young ladys eyes
II he was gallant before, he was a hero
now
Before the regiment broke camp for the
trip to Savannah they were engaged, it
was understood that they were to be mar
RED on Private Curran's return from San
tl9go. Curran was satisfied. But Wo-
mans love is strong, and a pleasant sur
prise was an store for him. The regiment
reached Savannah Sunday morning. Mon
day brought his affianced to Savannah to
be near him until the hour of departure
came. Each day found her at the camp
Yesterday morning, just before the rexi-
nlent broke camp, they decided that If
opportunity came they would not walt for
the return from Santiago, but would be
married at once.
1t seemed as though fate were against
them. An officer would have had time
and to spare. But the privates were NOT
recipients of passes. Down on the wharf
the eXpectant lady awaited the coming
81 her sweetheart. No one could give
RIM leave of absence. Finally, shortly
before o'clock, he saw the colonel.
Col Ray. I would like a pass to go lip
town." said Private Curran.
mo passes tonight" said the colonel
as he passed on.
but, colonel l want to get married. MY
sweetheart is waiting for me down on the
wharf there"
The colonel turned in surprise. On the
wharf, waving her handkerchief was a
Can you get back by u" asked the col
onel.
Yes" was the quick reply.
SO Il pass was made out, and Private
Currau rushed to the carriage. In haste
they were driven to the Planters Hotel
MIR. WA Huston,a friend of the groom, had
a marriage license. But no minister could
be found Seven o'clock came and passed.
AT any minute Private Curran was liable
TO arrest for over-staylng his time But he
had no stripes to lose this time, and a
bride to gain. Mr.. Johnson's aid was ask
ed The colonel was only too glad to as
sist. While the bridal couple sat in the
parlor Mr.. johnson secured the city. AT
10 o clock he brought Rev. Richard Webb
to the hotel and the ceremony was per-
formed. Mr.. Johnson giving away the
bride with quite a fatherly air, and bestow-
ing his blessing and congratulations upon
the soldier and his fair companion for life
The bridal chamber was placed at Pri-
waite Curran's disposal The hospitality
of the Planters Hotel was fully equal to
the emergency. Mr.. Johnson toasted the
bridal couple to every conceivable hap
piness.
II suppose I'll catch it In the morning
from the colonel" said the new benedict
as he kissed his bride but I'd be a
mighty poor soldier IL l didn't take
chances for a true sweetheart like mine"
To-day Private Curran may be on a
bread and water diet, or in irons, for his
infracton of military rules. But the
sweet face of his bride viii support him
in whatever punishment may be his due
and the memories of his brief honeymoon
will so with him into the disease-wasted
camps of Santiago and perchance to the
last sleep of the soldier who dies far from
home for duty's sake.
Private Curran, before he enlisted was
travelling agent for the Standard Oil Com
pany in North and West Georgia. His
home is at Atlanta. His bride is the
daughter of Mr.. r. T. Christian of Macon.
-- Co.
u.fys