Black Cat Witnessed A Romantic Marriage • Mrs. Paterno is Sure “George Dewey’s” Presence Will Bring Her Luck • He Purred His Best Wishes • Marriage at Babylon, in Magistrate’s Library, Sequel to a Sunday Auto Trip From Manhattan
Babylon, Long Island, December 24, 1906 – The log fire in the library of Justice James B. Cooper* blazed cheerily last night, and the squire’s pet cat, George Dewey, black as a coal and a very wise feline, sat purring and winking in front of the fire. When the telephone bell rang in the adjoining room Dewey winked harder and purred more loudly, indicating that he knew something out of the ordinary was about to happen.
And there was, for the operator at central, when she rang up 127A, was really ringing a wedding bell, although she was unaware of the fact.
The message that came over the wire was from Dr. Charles V. Paterno, of 582 West One Hundred and Eighty-third street, Manhattan, who was at the Flagstaff Inn, a West Babylon hostelry, and who announced his desire to be married.
The magistrate is not in quite his usual health and was not anxious to perform the ceremony; but finally consented to do so, as the bridegroom-to-be seemed unwilling to defer his happiness.
Fifteen minutes later Paterno, accompanied by the bride-elect, Miss Minnie M. Middaugh of Porterville, N.Y., and by Robert Minor [butler of the Flagstaff Inn], arrived, and, the necessary introductions having been made and a second witness procured in the person of the squire’s son and namesake, the ceremony was performed.
George Dewey also witnessed the marriage, but did not have a speaking part, unless his jubilant purr may be described as speech. Perhaps it served as a wedding march.
The bride wore a gown of blue cloth, with a fetching fur toque, and was not in the least nervous. While the certificate was being filed, Mrs. Paterno held George Dewey on her lap and stroked his black coat and told him what a fine cat he was, and how she was sure his presence at her wedding would bring her luck.
It seems that Dr. Paterno and Miss Middaugh came out from Manhattan in an auto and stopped at the Flagstaff Inn for dinner. Not caring to face the cold wind in the long ride back to town, they decided to remain for the night.
As they were sweethearts and intended to marry soon, the idea of being married then suggested itself and the justice was telephone for. Why the young couple decided to be married by a magistrate and not by a clergyman they did not state. There may have been a difference in their religious beliefs, or they may have been unaware of the fact that there are half a dozen clergymen in the place. Anyway, they chose the civil ceremony and were duly and regularly married.
Dr. Paterno gave his age as 35 years. He is a native of Central Italy, but has lived most of his life in America and speaks English without a trace of accent.
After the ceremony the party returned to the Inn, where a wedding supper was served. They will remain here several days.
*
The Sun tells a slightly different story:
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