The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-12-24
From the London Punch.
Last Hours of a Single Gentleman.


This morning, November ll,h, at haIfrast
eleven o'clock, precisely, an unfortunate young
man, Mr. Edward Pinckn"y, underwent the
extreme penalty of infatuation, by expiating
his attachment to Mary Ann Gale, i'll front of
the altar lailings of ST. Mary's l>lington.
1t will he in the recollection of all those
friends of the party who were at Jones at
Brixton, two years ago, that Mr. Plncknry
was there and then first introduced to Miss
Gale, To whom he instantly began 10 direct
particular. ATTENTIONS dancing with her no less
than six sets that evening, and handing her
things at supper in the most devoted manner.
From that period commcncei the intimacy
between them which terminated i'll liIls NOM
ing SscatHstr"phr.
Poor Pnckncy had barrel y attained his TWEEN.
tv.eighlh J ear; but there is no belief that bnt
tor reasons of a prcuuiary nature, his single
life would have come ealier 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 Tor
which lie 'has just suffered.
The Unhappy young man passed the last
uiuht of his bachelor existence in his solitary
chamber From halfpast eight to ten he was
engaged in writing letters. Shortly after, his
younger brother knocked at the door, when
the doomed youth told him to come in. On
being asked when llu meant TO go to bed, he
replied" Not yet" The question was then
put to him, how lie thought he would sleep!
TO which he answered, IL don't know" He
then expressed his desire for a cigar aad glass
of grog. His brother, WHO Partook OF the
like refreshments, now demanded if he would
take anything more that night. He said
"No,hilis," in firm voice. llls aAeclionate
brotl.cr llen rose to take his leave, when the
devoted one CONSIDERABLY advised him to take
care of himself.
Precisely at qnartcr of Il minute t" seven,
the next morning, the victim Of CUPID having
been called accoI ding to his desire, hc arose
AID promptly dressed himself He had even
the self:cun,ro 10 slave himself, without the
slightest injury, for not even IL scratch upon
his chin appeared after the operation. 1t would
seem that he devoted longer time than usual
ut his t"et.
The wretched man was attircl in 4 light b'uc
dress coat, with frosted buttons, a white vest
aud nankeen trowsers, with patent boots. lie
wore ar"uud his neck a varirgaled satin scarf,
which partly concealed the corrazzo Of the
bosom. In front Of the scarf WAS inserted u
brcas,pin. "t conspicuous dimensions.
II.uiun dcsccnd-,l=t =tire--e-ircnse with q quick
SEP, he entered the apartment where lis broth
er and sister, aud few fricnls, awaited him.
He then shook hands cordially with all present,
and on being asked how he slept, answered,
"very WE'LL" And to the further druanl as
! TO the state of his mind, he said that he " felt
happy" Oae of the party herrupon suggested
| ,ha; il would he As well lu take something lie.
tore the melancholy cercmnny was gore
rhroush; he exclaimed with some emphasis
Decidedly p Breakfast WAS accordingly
served, when he ale II French roll, II large round
OF toast. two sansagcS, and three great break
fast cnps Of tea In reply to an expression Of
astonishment ON the pat of persons present,
he declared that he had never frlt happier in
his life.
Having inquired The time, aud ascertancd
that il was ten minutes of eleven, he remarked
that il would soon he over. His brother then
incurred if he could do anything for him, when
he said he would take glass Of ale. Having
! -,
The f,ta moment now approaching, he de-
voted the remaining portion of his time I"
distribute those little articles lie would no lon.
r,r want. TO one he gave his cigar case, tn
anAher his tobacco stopper and charged El'
brother Henry with his latch key, with ln>truc
tions to deliver it, after all was over, with due
solrmni,v, to the landlady. The clock at length
struck eleven, and at the same moment lie was
Informed that cab was at the door. Tic
merely <aid-" am ready" and allowed him
self to be conducted to the vehicle, int" which
he got with his brother, hi, other i,iends fol
lowing oh behind, in others.
Arriving at the tugica spot, II 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 customary drcorum, shed
tears Pinvknry endrnvurcd To preserve deco.
rum; but slig ut twtching in his month and
eyebrows proclaimed his inward agitation;
All necessary prcliminarirs having now been
settled, and the prescribed necessary fnrm"!'-
ties gone through, I'll" usual question WAS put
-" Wilt thou lmvc this woman 10 bc thy
wifeW 81 will"
He then put the fatal ring Oh Miss Gales
finger, the hymrnial moose was adjusted, and
the poor fellow was launched rdInlo-ma'r'm"hy
UoMr Manners. sometimes meet
| with men who seem to think that any ihuul'
gencc in IN u!lrc,i"nate feeling Is weakness.
| They will return from u Journey and greet
their families with distant dignity, and move
A. IL, ,,;ih rhp rniI and IOfl y