The Washington times., 1904-03-20
Still Fails to Recall 1t.

Even admitting the marriage, Miss
Smith, or bette-. Mrs. Long. said today
she could not recall ii and that doubt
was still a shadow that at times de-
scended upon her During these sixteen
years Mrs. Long has always been known
as Miss Smith She has always had
many admirers, but she never married
Yesterday morning her strange romance
had prOsaic ending in the form Of mis-
advertisements. that appeared In a local
paper;
G-SNiTH-February H. 1855, D. MEL
son LONG and CHARLOTTE j. SMITH b.,
Gown.
Miss Smith. or Mrs. Long. is the
daughter of James Smith of 24I East
Tenn Street, who for twenty-five wears
ans been an emplOye of the Philadel-
pitlu ana Reading Railway She ,s
quite prepOssessing. of medium bufld
and her friends describe her as beinls
charming as "A companion and OF a low
able disposition.
Sixteen years ago she was a purI in
the Norristown High School, where she
md scores OF boy and girl friends
Long, a few years her senior w.
anc the two We're always together al
picnics and other social gatherings.
hey were great chums. and often
SpC ke or love and the future On ST
| Valentines Day February "A. 1855, Dan
/ Cupid, that hearth breaking little cod of
love, shoe his inal dart into Long 5
4
sWeethearts took a stroll by themselves
and Long made ardent love 10 Miss
Smith. Finally he asked her TO marry
him.
Refused to Marry Him.
The answer was disappointment.
Tor Miss Smith said no. Still they
strOlled, Long pleading. Miss Smith
remaining firm in her answer. Then,
according to the story told by Long.
they met the Rev. George D. Cum
mings. a former pastor of the Oak
Street Methodist Episcopal Church. at
the De Kalb Street Station of the
Philadelphia and Reading Railway Al
Longs solicitation the CLERGYMAN mar
ricS them, but it is this ceremony that
Miss Smith says she does not remem-
Der
A few days later the Long family
moved to a newly purchased ranch IN
Nebraska, and young Long passed COM
pleteIy out OF Miss Smiths life Not
uEtn short time ago did Miss Smith
ever hear of this ceremony.
Mrs Long yesterday consented 10
tel what she knew of her strange ro-
nance. brought 10 light by the pubiica-
ton of the notice of marriage. She
Sgid.
Married Her Parents.
''Try as 1 might I cannot remember
the marriage. / never realized I was a
wife until Mr.. Long told me. and as he
SnO&eu lle the marriage certificate
signed by Rev. Mr. Cummings. who was
the pastor VINO married my father and
mother, L must accept II as being true.
though il has passed my memory.
1t was not until a year ago that
had an inkling OF this strange situa-
ton Mr.. Long came 10 Norristov.n and
claimed me as his wife. / was amazed
and then he told me what happened on
ST. Valentines day. 1888. / refused TO
go with him then, and he returned 20
Nebraska.
"A few months ago he came back to
NCrristoWn and pleaded with me 10 go
with him. IL was not until then that W.
told my parents. and now / guess / will
go TO Virginia with his as his wife
expect Mr. Long back from Nebraska in
a few weeks As TO our marriAe.
suppose he was determined to ma ~ me
and as would not consent tCFklope
with him he took advantage Of thkapres-
cnce or the minister. who knew Us and
our parents and performed II ccre-
nony without question Yet u cannot
tIy a. / might. recall IL"