Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1902 — POSES AS TRAMP; WINS A BRIDE. [ARTICLE]

POSES AS TRAMP; WINS A BRIDE.

Ragged, Unshaven Hired Man Turns Out to Be a Rich Suitor. Miss Laura B. Keller, of Montrose, W. Ya., a girl of exceptional beauty and a village belle, advertised In a matrimonial paper for a correspondent, thinking to have sport. Two of the replies interested her and she began a correspondence with the writers. Photographs were exchanged and a meeting with the two suitors was arranged. Prior to the meeting a tramp appeared at the Keller home and procured employment. He was ragged and unshaven, but gave evidence of having seen better days and was genteel in his deportment. He fell In love with Miss Laura, and In spite of his being a tramp she returned his love, although she told him she could never think of marrying him. Recently Henry Snodgrass, one of her unknown suitors, appeared and was rejected. On the next day Harry Williams, the other man with whom she had corresponded, was to appear. But she waited all day and he failed to put In his appearance. That evening the tramp spoke to her of love and she told him she loved him, but could never marry a poor man. Throwing off his disguise, Harry Williams, young, wealthy and dressed In the height of fashion, stood before her. Miss Keller was quite overcome at tho denouement, but all obstacles having been overcome she renewed her love vows and they were married. Williams Is said to have wealth and social standing, says a special to the New York World, but took the disguise of a tramp to ascertain unsuspected what manner of girl Miss Keller was. Both were satisfied.