True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-01
Last Hours of a Single Gentleman.

his attachment to Mary Ann Gale, IN
front of the alter railings of St. Mary's
Church Isliugton.
1t will be in the reccollection of all those
friends of the party who were at Jones' at
Brixton, two years ago, that Mr.. Pickney
was there and first introduced to Miss Gale,
to whom he began to pay particular atten-
tions-dancing with her no less than six
sets that evening, and handing her things
at supper in the most devoted manner
From that period commenced the intima-
cy existing between them, which termina-
ted in this mournful catastrophe.
Poor Bickney had barely attained his
2Sth year, but there is no relief that but
for reasons of pecuniary nature, his sin
gle 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 sane
ton his addresses, and thus became acces-
sories 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 wri ting letters
Shortly after his younger brother Henry
knocked at the door, when the doomed
youth told him tocomc in. On being ask
ed when he meant to 90 to bed, he replied,
"not yet" The question was then put to
him, how he thought he would sleep? To
which he answered, 81 don'tknow." He
then expressed his desire for cigar and
a glass of grOg. His brother, who partook
of the like refreshments, now demanded
if he would take anything more that night.
He said, "nothing," in firm voice. His
afectionate brother then arose to take his
leave, when the devoted one considerably
advised him to take care of himself.
Precisely alta quarter of a minute to sew
en- the next morning, the victim Of Cupid
having been called according to his desire,
he arose and promptly dressed himself
lie had the self control to shave himself,
without the slightest injury, for not even
a scratch upon the chinappeared after the
operation. 1t would seem he devoted
longer time than usual at his toilet.
The wretchcd man was attired in a light
blue dress coat, with frosted buttons a
white vest and nankeen trousers, with pat
ent boots. lie wore around his neck a
variegated satin scarf, which partly con-
ccaled the CarrazzO of the BOSOM In front
of the scarf was inserted breastpin Of con-
spicious dimensions.
He descended the staircase with a quick
step, he entered the apartment where his
brother and sister, and few friends, await
ed him. He then shock hands cordially
with all present, and on being asked how
he slept, answered, "Very we'll" And to
the further demand as to the state of his
mind, he said that he "fclt happy" One
Of the party hereupon suggested that it
would be as well to take something before
the melancholy ceremony was gone through
he exclaimed with some emphasis, Dcci-
dedly." Breakfast was accordingly sery-
ed, when he ate French roll, 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 thetime and ascertain
ed that it was ten minutes Of eleven, he
remarked that it would soon be over. His
brother then inquired if he could do any
thing for him, when he said he would take
a glass of ale. Having drank this he ap-
peared satisfied.
The fatal moment now approaching, he
devoted the remaining portion of his time
to distribute those little articles he would
no longer want To one he gave his ci-
gar case, to another his tobacco stopper
and charged his brother Henry with his
latchkey, 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 in
formed that cab was at the door. He
merely said, II am ready" and allowed
himself to be conducted to the vehicle into
which he got with his brother, his friends
following behind in others.
Arriving on the tragical spot, a short
but anxious delay of some moments took
place, after which they were joined by
the lady with her friends. Little was said
on either side: but Miss Gale with custom
airy decorum, shed tears. Pinckney en-
deavored to preserve decorum, but a slight
twitching in his eyebrows proclaimed his
inward agitation.
All necessary preliminaries having now