The Washington times., 1914-06-21
Washington Is the Happy Hunt
ing Ground for Youthful Ro-
rnances, and Joyful Cere-
monies Prove 1t.
Martha Bowers and Bob"
Taft, Louise Helen and
tom" Bowers PIighted
Troth in Childhood.
By MARY EDNA MOVES.

There are some folks in this world
rho always say that a boy and girl
owe affair never amounts to anything.
They call IL puppy love-" and a whole
-ot of other things that are rather
disgusting to young folks who find
themselves in this blissful state-but
never discoura ging.
Sometimes they will 60 so far as TO
cite some case where one Of these child
hood affairs did result in a marriage.
but. according TO them, 1t was q very
sad affair. and this example they faunt
as the exception proving the rule or
some other danger signal
However all this may be, there is one
thing certain and sure and that is
hat Washington society is the happy
hunting ground for boy and girl love
affairs.
Without going back more than two
years and without racking my memory
Or asking the assistance OF anyone else,
can recall a whole group of the hap
Piest young married folks ] know " ho
Were sweethearts from childhood right
iere In the Capital City.
Dated From Childhood.
Then, within the last month or SO.
two engagements were announced which
we're the result of a childhood romance,
End the elimination will take place IN
toe fall. when the weddings will lie
Eolemnized.
These two engagemea eats-the most
recent and most intereStIng-Inake one
think Of a storybook. They seem to be
too good TO be true. Just before Mrs.
Lloyd Wheaton Bowers. widow Cf the
Solicitor General during the Taft regime, !
y ent abroad in the spring, she an
rounced the engagement of her Gaugh-
icr, Miss Martha Bowers to Robert
aft son OF the former President and
" Rs Taft That pleased almost every
one concerned. for 1t just seemed right |
T. At Martha and Bob should marry.
They had known each other for years |
: I'd years. and always been sweet /
Then Helen Taft, Bob's sister, and
Martha were chums, and had been |
al Bryn Mawr, which made /
'Eeir friendship all the more dear. But \
a most before folks were through talk
ing of this pretty little romance.
" htch was SO natural and normal, Mr.
& nd Mrs. Benjamin HELEN announced
engagement of their daughter LOU
ase, TO Tom Bowers.
That was just about the next best
thing that could have happened, for
not only was the friendship between
the Tafts and Bowers very close, but
u VAS widespreading and included
Louise HELEN Louise and Martha and
|
Z course, Tom and Bob, who were
g slassmates at Yale, were "buddies."
Began Years Ago.
II all began years ago when Mr.. Taft
= As Secretary OF War and tie Bowers
ad Just come here from Detroit The
1ellens, OF course, had always lived III
y ashington, and are included in the
cave-dwelling set" which is about the
ost envied circle of Washington So
rlety.
These were virtually White House
2 Ooings. Helen Taft was a girls girl.
nd always had a number of young
0lks about her, and during the season
- tennis court was in constant use. !
nd Martha and Louise were usually of
he players.
Then in the summer, when the sum ,
rer headquarters of the Executive !
& ansion were established at Beverly,
i ass, Helen Taft always managed 10 =
ave a house party. and the Bowers
ID Louise HELEN were always first on ]
.r list. After the change of Admins I
alton, when Helen Taft came back TO :
E ashington to visit, she usually divided ! &
l-r ume between Martha Bowers and ]
.Tphy Johnston, and Louise HELEN. |
ct whether Sophy Johnston will rake Z
his q trio Of boy and girl rOmances 7
annot be learned. for the young woman !
. the case is not ready to show her /