Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-08-29
From the ClarksviIle Tobacco Plant.
EXTRAORDINARY MARRIAGE.

GA4 A44lhO1lO4&N0n4 A1h4S44oNA.
Our readers will remember that some
time since we stated that it was very
usual for ladies to institute suits for
breach Of marriage promise, but that no
instance of such a suit, in which the
gentleman was the plaintiff, had fallen
within the range of our observation or
reading. The following facts may lead
to such denouement:
Squire John Bradsher, of Person
county, North Carolina, had been wild
over for only few months. After the
loss of his partner he felt sadly oppres-
sed with the unwonted loneliness of his
situation, and naturally fell into the
habit of visiting Miss Frankly Lea, of
the neighbornood, by way of dispelling
his gloom. 1t is not in human nature
for two persons of opposite sexes, with
warm impulses and throbbing hearts, to
associate constantly and intimately, with
out becoming strongly attached, one to
the other. The thought at first, rer-
haps entered the brain of neither. But
Miss Frankly, as is the saying, had the
quilts. Twelve thousand was her dow
ry. This, with other attractions, flor,
mind you, she was only ffty-seven,
operated ike magic upon the ardent ma
ture of the Squire, who, though in his
seventieth year, was rejuvenized by the
inspiration of Miss Franky's smile. He,
therefore, found no difficulty IN making
up his mind to marry her if he could
He proposed-she accepted. The morn
ing of Saturday, the 18th July, just
passed, at 8-o'clock, was fixed upon for
the marriage. The Squire procured his
license, paid an extra price for it, in
view of the expected accession to his
wealth; employed parson, rugged HIM
self off in a suit of black, and made ev-
cry other imaginable preliminary ar
rangenlent for the ceremony which was
to consummate his bliss.
The daughters of Mr.. Samuel john
son, another widower of the neighbor.
hood, were invited to the wedding
johnson was only 57--Miss Franky's
age exactly. They had been children
together; and while thy were both
quite young they had loved. He was
not satisfied that she and the Squire
should marry. On Friday evening, the
day before the expected wedding, seeing
neighbor passing his house, he hailed
him. The neighbor found johnson
very much excited and disturbed. John
son stated to him that he could not bear
the thought of Miss Franky's marrying
Squire Bradsher, and that he wanted
him to go to Miss Frankly at once and
say to her for him that if she preferred
marrying him to Squire Bradsher, she
could do SO. The neighbor insisted op
his writing to her letter to this effect,
offering TO deliver it.
"No," says he, 81 am entirely too
nervous to hold pen. You must go
and deliver the message
Finally he consented, and repaired to
Miss Franky's residence, charged with
this message Of love. Miss Frankly, in
reply, authorized him to say to Mr..
Johnson, that if he would get ready to
marry her at sunrise, the next morning,
she would marry him.
It was then late in tie afternoon
Having no time to spare, he put off un-
der whip and spur to Roxborough, the
county seat, for his license, and at the
same moment started off servant to
Leasburg for parson. The servant
took care not TO inform the minister what
il was his master wanted with him, but
only said that his services were impera
lively required at sunrise the next morn
ing.
Mr.. johnson, the minister who had
been engaged to oficiate, and the friend
who had borne the messages of love be-
tween Miss Frankly and the bridegroom,
were at their post at the appointed hour.
The marriage rites were performed, and
Miss Frankly Lea became Mrs. Frankly
johnson.
An nour afterwards Squire Bradsher
and his rctinue were to come. Accord.
ingly the bride hastily addressed a note
to the Squire informing him that she
was no longer Miss Frankly Lea, but
Mrs. Frankly johnson and that he need
not trouble himself any further about her.
The astonished yet incredulous Squire
could not believe the note authentic, but
regarded it as hoax, attempted to be
practised upon him by some of the wild
young men of his neighbOrhood. To set
lie the matter, he hastened over to see
his inamorita. Arrived in her presence,
he presented the note to her and in
guired if she wrote it. She replied in
the affirmative. Incensed at her faith
lessness, he INDUCED who that is mortal
would not in bitter complaints of her
i'll treatment. johnson meantime in the
next room, reclining on sofa, costly
smoking his pipe, and listening, with
more of merrimenl than resentment, at
the imprecations heaped upon his bride.
Indeed, having foiled his competitor
while in the very act of plucking the