The Washington times., 1902-07-11

Is 4 VlFaclouS, spirited, ana DARING
young woman, had apparently regarded
the whole affair as q joke, quite the op-
posite view from that taken by the
young man. The long black coat of the
clergyman, and his solemn demeanor ap-
propriate to the occasion evidently
caused her to realize that the matter
was a serious one, and declaring that
the ceremony was too serious" she in
terrupted the proceedings, and declared
it "all of"
Would Not Change Her Mind
No amount of coaxing or pleading
would induce her TO change her resolve.
Everything went all right until that
portion of the marriage service was
reached where the preacher asks the
bride If she takes the man 10 be her
lawfully welded husband. Then the hu-
NOR of the transaction suddenly depart
ed from the young woman, she saw its
serious side. and determined to quit be-
fore it was too late.
Miss Van Wyck Is nineteen years OF
age. although the statement made to the
clerk of the court when the license was
taken out places her age at twenty. She
is the daughter of the late Senator Van
Wyck of Lincoln. Neb. and is Teputed 10
have an income of between $4,000 and
s50.0O0 4 year. She is also relative
of former Mayor Van Wyck, of New
York city. and of Justice Augustus Van
Wyck. who was the Democratic can
didate for governor of New York when
President Roosevelt was elected as chief
magistrate of the Empire State.
Known as Happy"
Her mother is dead. and since early
last winter she has been spending much
of her time in Washington, maintaining
apartments at the Normandie. During
a part of the time Mrs. H. B. Mott, OF
this city, her aunt, has acted as her
chaperon. The Van Wycks formerly re-
sided in this city, and Miss Happy was
born here. She was named Theodore.
but owing to her happy disposition and
jcvial nature she YVES in her infancy
called Happy" and that cognomen was
retained, until now she is known as
Happy Van Wyck, and so registers at
the Normandie.
Mr. Mitchell is twenty-six years of
service department of the Southern Rail-
way Company in this city for a number
of years. His home is at gG2 Vi Street
northwest, although no information con
cerning him could be elected at that
number yesterday, further than the fact
that Mr.. Mitchell was not there. Miss
Van Wyck has known Mr.. Mitchell for
about year. He frequently called upon
her at her hotel, ard they often went
cut together. Although she had many
friends, Mr.. Mitchell was more in her
company than anyone else.
Paid the Bills.
When they went out together, It is
said that she paid the bills for suppers,
cab hire and other forms Of amuse-
ment and entertainment with her own
check, and refused to allow her escort
to spend his money. She had an abun-
dance Of It. and he had nothing but his
salary as clerk in a railroad Office.
Miss Van Wyck is handsome win
some and attractive. She dresses sty-
lshly. and, in fact, had many admirers,
and II was thought strange by some Of
her friends that she should bestow all
her attentions upon Mr.. Mitchell. al
though he is said 20 be d young man OF
good habits and industry Miss Van
Wyck has attracted marked attention
from guests ct the hotel because Of her
singularly happy and viYaclous manners
and good nature.
Mr.. Mitchell. however. took her seri-
ously and believed that she really meant
Il when she concurred IN his suggestion
to get a marriage license and be mar
ried.
Baked at the Altar.
Although his friends are dislnclined to |
discuss the affair. some Of them declare |
that he stated that he intended to marry |
rich girl and give up his position. |
When the couple went TO the residence |
of DR.. Radcliffe they were accompanied |
by prominent man OF Washington, who |
is a personal friend OF Mr. Mitchell |
Neither suspected for a moment but that
the ceremony would 20 off all right but |
when the crucial moment came Miss |
Happy would carry the joke no further
and refused TO allow the ceremony to |
proceed.
Some of Mr. MitchelTs friends at
tribute her refusal to carry out the |
agreement to the influence OF her rela- 4
tives I'm this city, who now declare that !
the girl had no intention at any time Of /
marrying Mr.. Mitchell. and that the |
whole affair was nothing more than |
joke, which WAS carried q little too far
Miss Van Wyck's relatives here are peO-
pie OF good standing. and deeply depore
the sensation attending the affair
On the same day. n few hours after
the marriage "fiuke.' Miss Van Wvck
left for Milford, Pa. where she has
friends, and intending to 90 from there
to the TTaymore. Atlantic City. She
then intends 10 return TO her Brooklyn
home, % Hart Street Mr.. Mitchell IS
said TO have left Washington, and to 5e
recouplng at summer resort in yir-
ginia. !