St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-03-02
HELPED OUT CUPID.
WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL AS
AID TO SAINT.
Major General AinsWortf1 Turned From
Stern Realities of His Position to
Earn Gratitude of Young
Lovers.
Fort Monroe, Va, Jan. IA.

Lawyer Campbell Darlington:
Married this morning by post chap,
lain. Answer. Mrs. Kelly
Upon receipt Of this message by
Attorney Darlington he Immediately
wired his congratulations to the
couple. 1t told of the marriage of Will
liam M. Kelly, Second battalion engt-
neers, Thirty-fifth coast artillery, sta
toned at Fortress Monroe, and Miss
Hill, whose home is in Washington,
by the post chaplain. Major General
+. c. AinsWOrth, military secretary,
had played the part of secretary to
Cupid in the matter of the marriage,
and had made it possible for the couple
to leave the fort and go on their hon
eymoon.
Mr.. Darlington had also played a
conspicuous part in the transaction,
and it was due to his efforts that the
military secretary became active and
prevented a separation of Kelly and
his bride. The first Mr.. Darlington
knew of the affair was when sweet
faced young woman rushed into his
office and wanted to know if he would
not help her to get married.
'"Fo get what?" inquired the attor-
ney, thinking he had not understood
the young woman.
why, to get married." was her re-
Spouse.
Help you?" asked the attorney. "If
I didn't you would be the first one
ever refused. What can do for your"
They are going to send Will to
Cuba she began, but before she could
finish her statement big lump filled
her throat and tears ran down her
cheeks. It's too bad" she managed
to say, overcome by grief.
Mr. Darlington soon induced her to
tell her story and she said that Will
Kelly, her sweetheart, had been order
ed to Cuba and that under orders he
would have to leave the fort next morn
ing. ..
Rather short notice." remarked
counsel. Here it is nearly four
o'clock and with but one more working
day before the sailing of the vessel, but
as you are so anxious to get married
and keep the young man from going to
Cuba I'll do the my best to help you"
Major General Ainsworth was the
only man in the war department
whose name suggested itself and Mr.
Darlington entered carriage with the
young lady and they were driven to
the secretary's Office. The war secre-
tary listened attentively to the appeal
of the young woman and her legal ad-
wiser, the statement of the former be-
ing in the nature of touching appeal
for change in orders to Private KEEL
~. The young woman had his appli-
cation for permission to leave the
service with her, but she was Mortified
when General Ainsworth told her that
the application should have been adj
dressed to the commander of the ar
tillery and forwarded to the division
,.
And" he said, ut seems rather late
to accomplish anything in that way
before the beat sails for Cuba
Again the hopes of Miss Hill were
but she was told to keep up
1er courage. General Ainsworth gave
some further hints as to what might |
De done, and the young man, who was
1t Old Point, dreading the sailing of
he ship which would convey him to |
Cuba, was instructed what to do. Next |
lay Mr. Darlington received from him |
| dispatch which read:
Have presented application to my
commander, but special order from
military secretary absolutely neces-
AIRY or must sail in the morning"
A special delivery letter also came
rom the soldier at the fort. In the
atter the writer implored the recipient |
0 see the military secretary and have
i'm send an official dispatch directing
he commander to detain him at the
ort until action could be taken upon
lis application for discharge
7 am booked to SAIL" he wrote,
and if nothing is done I will have to
ALL"
Miss Hill was on hand and she was
dvised by Mr. Darlington to hurry to
I'D Point and get married. She took
he advice and the receipt of the mes
age followed. General Ainsworth was
old of the marriage and he assured
ounsel that all will be we'll with the
ouple. The order Of detention was
ent and the ship sailed without Pri-
ate Kelly.
1T seems to me-" telephoned Gen.
raj Ainsworth, that you are making
le secretary to Cupid instead of war
ecretary."
"And if you fill your new position
s well as you have your old one" re-
)rted Mr.. Darlington over the wire.
you will satisfy the country and your
'iends. And you have made an ex-
client beginning"