The Washington herald., 1907-06-30
VOICE Wins HUSBAND
Street Singer Captivates Wis
itOP from Porto Rico.
ROMANCE LEADS TO ALTAR
Miss Edith Mary Irvine, Gospel Mis-
sion Worker, Becomes Wife of Pc
dro AmndO Rivera - bridegroom
Graduate of Howard University
and SON of Plantation Owner.

An international marriage. uniting the
island of Porto Rico to the United States.
viii be eliminated when Miss Edith Mary
Irvine becomes the bride of Pedro AmadO
Rivera Il came as no surprise 10 those
who knew them best, but around their
courtship is woven "a series Of remarkable
and interesting events.
Coming to America from Porto Rico,
Pedro Amado Rivera met his fate in a
minister's daughter. From the very first
lie was charmed by the fair American,
hut his heart was not fully won until
1lusic's melody unclaimed him. Hers is a
voice Cf unusual sweetness and feeling,
nd it is no wonder that the Porto Rican
fell victim to its charms.
Il was one OF those rare days in July
some five years ago, when the sun in
Going down left a refreshing GOODNESS on
the evening air. and the stranger, the
Porto Rican. sauntered down Pennsyl-
vania avenue. He was on no errand, time
was at his disposal. and, seeing a crowd
cOngregating at a corner, he aimlessly
Joined it, Accustomed only to women Of
lis native land. the American woman,
who was holding the crowds attention,
attracted him. She was small, petite Of
form. with a wealth of brown hair sur
mounting a fair, well defined brow.
Singing Gospel Hymn.
She was singing a gospel hymn. familiar
30 almost every American child but never
before heard by him. Yet it was not the
words that held his interest-it was the
voice that carried him on the wing and
bore to his very soul sweet and soothing
peace. There was something I'm that
voice that reached him, and held him
spen-b0und. Recovering himself, In a
sense. he wedged his way in the crowd
until he stood near the fair singer and
then. and not till then. did he see the full
glory Of her great brown eyes, and what
the song had not completed those eyes
did.
As In a maze he left the crowd and re-
srImed his walk. Pennsylvania avenue was
a street of unusual interest % him. but
neither the Treasury's dusty columns
nor the CapitOl's pure white dome was
seen by him on his return that night. lie
only saw visions of a fair young woman,
and instead of the clang Of the street
car gOngs and the tread Of horses feet on
the asphalt. he heard the sweet music Of
her voice pleading for souls, 1t was only
the beginning of what has now culminat-
ed in the international marriage.
SON of wealthy Planter.
Pedro Amado Rivera is the son of
Senior Don Pedro N. Rivera, Of san Ger
man, Porto Rico, a wealthy plantation
owner. His father sent him 20 this coun-
try to broaden his knowledge Of the world
and to gain an education. In a short time
he became the most popular Of his fellow
students; more than that, his untiring
energy brought him high marks IN his
studies. and he was graduated in 1895.
Still cIinging to a love for his native
heath, his first thought was to return %
Porto Rico and there enter his profess
sionaI career, TO give his own land the
benefit Of what he had learned in Amer
lea. Already he has built up a good
practice. and now has a home prepared
for his future bride.
Pedro Amado Rivera, is Of small stature
but Of very pleasing personality. He has
made for himself a large circle Of friends
in Washington. who term him the Porto
Ricau AmeriCaniZed. One would only
judge him TO be a foreigner by his dark
skin and jet black hair. so naturally has
ne fallen into the American ways ana
embraced the Christian religion.
Both the faculty and students in How
ard University. where he was graduated
in law, and Of those in the National Uni
yersity Law School, where he took &
post graduate course, are following not
only his career in law, but his romance
as we'll and bid them both G0dspeed.
Daughter of Preacher.
Miss Edith Mary Irvine is the daughte
Of Rev. James L. Irvine and the lat.
Mary Coutts Irvine. She came 20 re
side in Washington in 1888, and becam,
especially interested IN the Gospel Mis-
sion work OF this city. It was while thu,
engaged that the bright Porto RicaI
heard her sing. 1t was her voice tina
first attracted him.
The roses along Miss Irvines pathway
were those largely strewn by herself
Necessity with her proved blessing
With all the enthusiasm which possesse,
her she entered into the spirit of what
ever work she undertook Had fortuna
favored her music would doubtless havt
become her profession, but, with a lvell
hood to make. she turned to journalism
and 10 law. After a days work at he
desk she would burn the midnight OF
in literary pursuits. In August, 1905 sh
was appointed teacher of English in tn
public schools in Porto Rico, where sh
is now 10 reside.
Original In Romance.
On her return to Washington, more thar
a year aga the news was whispere,
that she was soon TO wed. but in tn
months that have passed her friends hav
been led TO know that even in romano
Miss Irvine is original Whether her de
cision to be married at San Juan, Port
Rico, was made from a point OF sentimen
or because she loved the land she wa
to adopt best viii, perhaps, never b
known. In some things Miss Irvine KEEP
her own counsel and only those who ar
left 10 send their messages of cOngratu
lation across the waters are free L
surmise.
Having twice crossed the waters be
tween the American shores and those o
Porto Rico, she viii now make her las
trip alone, where on her arrival the mar
riage viii take place. Her sweet v0ic
will be missed at the Gospel Mission an
by her friends and they all wish wit
one accord that the winning grace whic
attracted the Porto Rican will lure hin
back 20 seek his fortune where he wo
the love Of his bride
Smiles have passed from one TO anothc
between those whom she has left in Wash
ington. despite the fact that her invita-
ton is most cordial. II reads:
AT home, after the 18th Of July, Are
cibo, Porto Rico