The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-07
GIVE Up MILLIONS
For Pretty Annie Peyton the
Little Typewriter.
He is NOW VERY HAPPY
Although He Has to Work for
So Per Week.

Neither commands. entreaties, prom
ises. the discipline of a military school,
nor a mothers viii could keep young
Clarence OFT from the girl ne loved He
was the heir of millions, but he gave
them up when he married pretty, little
Annie Peyton, the 1S-year-old stenogra-
pher. Now the 19-year- old bridegroom
is working for 50 a week, but he is happy.
The bride still retains the position she
has had for three years as stenographer
for life insurance commpany.
1t was on the night of December 81 that
the two stole from their home in Louis
Vile, KY, over into Jenersonville, Ind.
and were married. Being so young them
selves, they chose the last day of the cen
fury to have something venerable connec-
ted with the ceremony. Prosecuting At
torney, Nick Vaughn, especially appointed
guardian of the girl. was a witness.
Peyton is one of the best Of the old
Kentucky names. The brides mother
was Mrs. Sue Gohegan, daughter of q
famous old-time doctor in jefferson coun-
ty The family, however. came to pow
erty, and wnen IA years old, young Annie
Peyton had to start TO own her own
living.
She went to d business school and there
her industry and perseverance quickly
brought her to notice. In half the time
usually required for course the child
had become an expert stenographer She
then went to an insurance company and
"A hapTl fbarc Iar. low
have besought her, though married, to
continue the work
In the Sunday school at the Walnut
Street Methodist church little Annie Pey-
ton, Ii years old. met Clarence OFT. AS
the second son of Henry OFT, of Ahrens &
OFT, the boy was far above the little work
ing girl in the matter Of worldly goods
From the first he became attentive. de
asked if he might come to see her at q
young women's home on First street
where she boarded and the little girl con
scented.
They would walk home from the Sunday
school together and during the week from
the meetings of the missionary society
of which Annie Peyton was an enthusiasts
tic member. Young Otis father died
leaving his property, extending into the
millions to the widow in fee simple.
Soon the mother became cognizant OF
her sons love for the little stenographer
She made threats and promises, but all tc
no avail The determination which had
made Henry OFT successful in business
seemed in this matter to have descended
to his son. The boy was obstinate in de
claring that he would marry Miss Pey-
ton or none.
Then military school was decided
upon as a good treatment for such a case
and young OFT was bundled off to a cole
giate institution with military attach
ments near Asheville, n. c.
He'll went to school with apparent viii
lingness and within month that school
had guard on the football eleven such
as even the Oldest teacher could not re-
member.
He played football as he loved-for ev-
erything there was in him. But while
hammering the line or struggling with
Greek roots lie young lover did not for
get the little girl in Louisville clicking
away at her typewriter eight hours a day
with only the thought of him to cheer
her. They exchanged letters regularly
presents.
All the time there was a detective
shadowing Annie Peyton. For weeks the
espionage conunued, then the officer was
able to make his report. She had been
to church twice every Sunday and to the
minister's house for dinner with his wife
half a dozen times. On missionary meet
ing nights she presided half a dozen
times. When the eager sleuth slipped
closely after her at night he found her
beside some i'll or dying person, nursing
with all the skill and twice the enthusi-
asm Of paid attendant Half of her
salary went in charity and she helped
support a relative who instead might
have been supporting her.
Soon the detective threw up the useless
job. He was not a very religious man
and disliked going to church so much.
So matters simmered for awhile. But
it was truce. not peace.
Last summer came and Clarence OFT re-
turned from Asheville. He still loved his
sweetheart and in the fail he refused to
return to Asheville. He was then put in
Prof. Tharp's school in Louisville. IF
forts 10 break off the intended match
continued, but such futile attempts con
firned the lovers in their affection. The
promise of a trip to Europe, with the
much desired consent for a wedding after
he had finally completed his education in
I'VE years, was cast aside by the impctu-
Gus boy. It was to be an early wedding
or none with nim-
His sweetheart, who had advanced
steadily in the esteem Of her employers
and of the church people agreed With
him. She was under age. hl. her ouI9
relative contributed nothing TOW tr5 her
support, SO the boy and girl went before
Judge Gregory ard had Judge Nlck
Vaughn, prosecuting attorney, appointed
her legal guardian Judge Vaughn was
only TOO glad 10 have the wedding take
place.
II was on the night Of December 81
Young OFT had heard that with the new
year he might be sent away again, and
he could not stand the thought Of am
other separation. Through judge FaCEhn
he secured q letter secretly
They were 70 go 70 Christ Church Epis-
copal Cathedral for the midnight services
but at 10 O'Clock Clarence OFT called al
the Young Woman's Christian Home,
where his sweet heart BOARDED
WHY are YOU al going 30 soon sait
Miss Gosa. or "OId Mother Goose as
she IS generally called
.si0f, -r.. ~-s-s fn zsr i'm church z & r7l