Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-23
EVENING STAR.
LAST HOURS OF A SINGLE aEyrLInagI

'"nssS y JounS ahah, 0uT. EdWar0 pIckney,
underwent the extreme penalty of infat.
uation by expiating his attachment, 10
Mary Ann Gale, in front of the alta
ratings of st. Mary's church, Islincton.
1t will be in the recollection of all
those friends Of the party who were Al
Jones's, at Brix.on, two years ago. that
Mr.. Pickney was there and then first in.
trOduced to Miss Gale, to whom he in.
s.antly began to direct particular atten
tion-dancing with her no less than SIX
sets that evening, and handing her things
at supper in the most particular manner
From that period commenced the in i
macy between them which terminated in
this mornings catastrophe.
Poor Pickney had barely attained his
twenty-eighth year but there is no be.
lief that but for reason of a pccuniary
nature, his single life would have come
to an untimely end. A change for the
better, however, having occurred in his
circumstances, the young lady's friends
were induced to sanction his addresses.
and thus became accessories to the course
for which he has just suffered.
The unhappy young man passed the
last night of his bachelor existence in his
solitary chamber. From half.past eight
to ten he was engaged in writing letters.
Shortly after his younger brother Henry
knocked at the door, when the dooms d
youth told him to come in. On being
asked when be meant to 90 to bid, ne
replied mot yet" The question was
then put to him, how he thought he
would sleep? To which he answered.
Il don know" He then expressed h's
desire for cigar and a glass of greg.
His brother, who partook Of the like re-
freshments, now demanded if he would
take anything more that night. lie said
" Nothing" in firm voice. His affec.
tionate brother then rose to take his leave,
when the devoted one CONSIDERABLY ad
vised him to take care of himself.
Precisely at q quarter of q minute to
seven the next morning, the victim OF
Cupid, having been called according to
his desire, arose and promptly dressed
himself. He had the selfcontrOl to shave
himself, without the slightest injury, for
not even a scratch upon his chin appear, d
after the operation. 1t would seem he
devoted longer time than usual at his
toilet.
The wretched man was attired in a
light blue dress-c0at with frosted but.
tons, white vest and nankeen trowsers
with patent leather boots. He were
around his neck a variegated satin scarf
which partly concealed the Corrazzio OF
the bDsom. In front of the scarf was in
serted breastpiu of conspicuous dimen
sions.
Having descended the staircase Will. a
quick step, he entered the apartment
where his brother and sister, and few
friends awaited him. He then shocks
hands cordially with al! present, and ON
being asked how he slept, answered,
every well" And to the further de.
mand as TO the state of his mind, he said
that be "felt happy" One of the party
hereupon suggested that it would b. as
well to take something before the melan-
choly ceremony was gone through: he e1-
claimeI with some emphasis, decided
ly" Breakfast was accordingly served,
when be ate French roll, q large round
toast, two sausages, and drank three
great breakfast cups of tea. In reply to
an expression of astonishment on the
part OF person present, he declared that
he had never felt happier in his life.
Having inquired the time, and ascer
tanned that it was ten minutes of eleven.
he remarked that it would soon be over.
His brother then inquired if he could do
anything for him, when he said he would
like glass of ale. Having drank this,
he appeared to be satisfied.
The fatal moment now approaching
he devoted the remaining portion of his
time to distribute those little articles be
would no longer want. To one he gave
his cigar case, to another his tobacco
stopper, and charged his brother Henry
with his latch key with instructions to
deliver it, after all was over, with due
solemnity, to the landlady. The clock
at length struck eleven, and at the same
moment he was informed that cab was
at the door. He merely said-"I am
ready" and allowed himself to be con-
Quoted to the vehicle, into which he got
with his brother, his other friends fol
lowing on behind in order.
Arriving at the tragical spot, a short
but anxious delay of some moments took
place, after which they were joined by the
lady with her trends. Little was said
on either side; but Miss Gale, with Gus
tomary decorum, shed tears. Pickuey
endeavored to preserve decorum; but "a
slight twitching in his mouth and eye
brows proclaimed his inward agitation.
All necessary preliminaries having
now been settled, and the prescribed ne
cessary formalities gone through the
usual question was put-"Wilt thou
have this woman to be thy wife :" Il
will" ... ...'-
He then put the fatal ring on Miss
Gales finger, the hymenial moose was
adjusted, and the poor fellow was launch
ed into--matrimory -Pmeh. .