Hearne History - Page 707

[Continued from page 706]

"CUPID DEFEATS STERN PARENTS.

"ATLANTA, GA.--Cupid now rules in triumph over the executive mansion of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. John P. Atkinson have been formally recognized by the Governor and his wife.
"The romance of the young son of Governor Atkinson, who passed his sixteenth year only one month ago, and Miss Ada Byrd, the twelve-year-old daughter of the publisher, Charles P. Byrd, is an interesting one. When William Atkinson came to Atlanta as Governor two years ago, he brought with him an interesting family, the oldest of whom, John P., was then but fourteen, a curlyheaded little Adonis, with blue eyes.
"It was no wonder that the ten-year old daughter of a neighbor dropped her dolls in admiration as she looked upon this youth. At first it was romp and play, rolling hoops upon the sidewalk of Peachtree, and later hanging over the garden gate.
"A month ago Governor Atkinson was called from his worship at a Sam Jones meeting and told that his was trying to elope with the bright young girl, who had now turned her twelfth year. He at once took steps to end the romance. In this he was aided by the girl's father, who packed her off to a country school.
"But, as World readers already know, the plans of the stern parents failed, for on Wednesday last the young people eloped and were married. At first Governor Atkinson was determined to have the marriage declared null and void, but it occured to Mr. Byrd that he would have the worst of it in that case.
"'The honor of my daughter,' said he, 'is at stake. I did all I could to prevent the marriage. I co-operated with the Governor in every respect, but now that I have exhausted every effort by hiding out my daughter in a school, where I thought she would be safe, and the Governor's son has pursued her there and led her into this entanglement, I cannot consent to anything but that the marriage shall be fully recognized."
"Governor Atkinson soon came to Mr. Byrd's way of thinking. His only stipulation was that Mrs. Atkinson, Jr., should spend another year at boarding-school.
"'After all,' said he, 'it is best to love young. I am proud of my son. He is a young man of talent. He has proved the

[Continued on page 708]


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Copyright (c) 1999, 2007 Brian Cragun.