Laurel outlook., 1944-04-05
Lights Of New York
BY L. L. STEVENSON

Just about a year ago, one of
Uncle Sans fighting ships reached
Philadelphia-one on which Sher-
wood j. Robinson of Dallas, was a
coXswain, second class. With a
flock of shipmates, all eager for
liberty after action overseas, Robin
son went ashore. In the course of
the evening, he was introduced
to a winsome little brown-eyed de-
tense worker employed in the Gen
eral Electric plant-Miss Nina Far
row They were attracted to one
another Immediately. So thew
danced together, drank soda togeth-
er and Robinson told her exactly
how a boy in blue feels during an
engagement. And when Robinson
sailed away for more action over
seas, he took with him a picture
of the little b~rown-eyed defense
worker.
In the course of time, Robinson
returned to Philadelphia. His stay
was longer but not nearly enough
for the Lone Star state lad who then
was wearing two gold stripes, sig
nifying participation in two engage
ments. In Philadelphia, there was
another engagement-one in which
a chubby little fellow with arma-
ment of only bow and arrow, scored
a direct hit. So on the finger of
Nina FarroW went a diamond ring.
not a large stone but one clear and
perfect. Her family had met Robin
son and they approved of the clean
cut young man with the drawl in
his voice. Consent was given to a
marriage when Robinson came
back. After his ship had sailed, Miss
Farrow, whose ring was admired
greatly by all the other girls in the
inductance brazing department,
worked harder than ever.
Not so long ago, Miss Farrow re-
ceived great news-her sailor soon
would be on his way home. Then
came greater news-his ship had
actually reached port. This time,
however, it was New York and not
Philadelphia. But Robinson had
everything arranged-Nina was to
leave for New York Immediately
and 60 to the Hotel Holland. He'd
meet her there as soon as he could
obtain liberty and they'd be mar
ried right away. Nina wasted no
time in obtaining a leave of alb
sence. She reached New York on
a Wednesday. She'd never been
here before but she got to the hotel
safely. Nevertheless, the great city
awed her. In the course of the next
few days, she learned the real
meaning of loneliness - and how
hours can drag. 1t would have been
worse had she not become acquaint-
ed with Mrs. Helen Burrell, a tele-
phone operator at the hotel, who took
a deep interest in the little girl.
On a Saturday morning, Mrs.
Burrell had a message for Miss
Farrow. Robinson would be given
leave at 2 p. m. Nina was in the
clouds. Not so Mrs. Burrell. She
knew that in New York getting
married was not a simple process
there were many formalities in
Guiding a fve-day wait. Also New
York closes tight at noon Satur-
days. But she was resourceful.
First she called in a young news
paper woman, who lives at the hotel
and who has many acquaintance in
key positions. The two got busy at
once. New York's hard heart
softened right and left with the re-
suit that just about all marriage :
formalities were waived. =:
There was n hurdle that could not /:
De leaped, however.
To obtain a license, the prospec :
tive bridegroom must appear in :
oerson-and Robinson did not leave :
lis ship until two hours after the :
'ffice had closed. Nothing could :
done on Sunday of course. But :
bright and early Monday morning. :
Miss Farrow and Robinson were at :
he Municipal building. Despite the :
act that everything was in readi- :
less, minutes slipped by so fast that :
robinson, to his great dismay, found :
hat if he fingered long enough for :
wedding ceremony, he'd be late :
back to his ship. The youne :
nan had to make a decision q :
hard one. Duty came first E
nd he went back to his ship unwed. z
The story didn't end there. Rob- E
lson was fortunate enough to oh. =
ain eight hours liberty the next =
ay-from 4 p. m. until midnight. +
he notice was mighty short and =
lere were other complications. in =
.uding the fact that it was a holt =
ay in New York and almost every =
he was away. But through the =
SO and Sloan House, a minister s
as obtained, the Rev. Paul Dickev =
pastor of Marble Collect. =
church, who, at 6 p. m. Der. =
rmed the ceremony at his Morn e
gside Drive home-a ceremony ar e