Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-03-14
from TIE London Punch.
THE LAST HOURS OF A SINGLE
CENTLEMAN


GENTLEMAN.
This morning. Nov. II, at III o'cI"ck
precisely. an unfortunate Nan, Mr.. Ed
ward PinckneE. underwent the extreme
penalty OF infatua'ion, by expiating his
attachment to Mary Ann Gale, in front Of
4he altar ratings Of St. Mnry's Church,
lSlingtou.
1t will be in the recollection Of al those
friends Of the party who were Al Jones' ut
BrlxtOn two years ago. that NJ Pinckney
was there and then first introduced to Miss
Gale, to whom he instantly began to di-
rect particular MISUNDERSTANDING with
her no less than six sets that evening. and
handing her things at supper in the most
devoted manner. From that period COM
menced the intimacy between them which
terminated in tEIs morGing' caIasiruphe.
Poor Pinckncy had barely attained his
28th year but there is no belief, that
but Tor reasons of Il pecuuiary nature his
'inYle life would have come to an untin1e-
ly end. A change for The better. howev-
or. having occurred in his circumstances,
the young lady'S friends were induced to
sanction his addresses, and thus become
accessories to Lhe cru!sc for which he
has jast suffered.
The unhappy young man passed the
last night OF his bachelor existence in his
solitary chamber. From haIf-past eight
to ten he was engaged in writing letters.
Shortly after. his younger brother, Hen
ry, Knocked at the door, wh"n the duom-
ed youth told him to come On b, ing in
asked when he meant to 60 u bed =,
he replied, "Not yet!" Ene question
was then put Ia him, how he thought lie
would sleep - To which he answered.
81 don't know" He then expressed his
desire for cigar and glass of grog.-
His brother who p"rtcOk OF the like re-
lrcShmcnts, nov demanded ii he would
take anything more that night. He sal ,
"Nothiag," in 4 firm voice. His atIrc-
tiOnate brother lhcn rose to lake his leave,
when the devoted one CONSIDERABLY advi,
sed him to take care Of himsclf.
Precisely a. quarter Of minute to
seven Ike next morning. the victim of
Gu upil having been called according. to
lis desire. ne arose and promptly dressed
himself lie had the sell. cuntrol to shave,
himself. without the slightest injury, Tor
nm; even !. scratch upon his ci.in appeared
after the operation. /! would seem he
devoted T. lonscv time than usual at his
toilet.
The wretchnd man was attired in light
blue dress coat, with frosted buttons, Il
white vest and nankern trousers, with pa
tent boots. lie wore around his neck va.
riegatcd 8 ,tin sash which partly conceRleA
the Carrazzo OF the bosom. In [rOnt ot the
noarf was inserted brcAstpin OF con>pi
cuOus dimpnSiunS
Having descended the stair case with a
quick step. he entered the apartment
where his brother aud sister, aud n few
friends, awaited him. He then shook
hands cordially with all present, and on
being asked how he slept. ans wered,
VERY we'll" Aud to the further de
maud as to the state Of hi, nin,t he said
hat he felt happy. One of the party
hercupOn suggested that it would be as
nell 10 take something before tie mclau-
chuly ceremony WAS gone through; ; he
exclaimed with somecmphnsis. 'DGclIed
w. Breakfast was accordingly served,
when he ale Fr, nch roll. Il large round
t>ast, two sausuges, and drank three great
breakfast cups OF tea. In reply 10 an ex,
preston Of astOnishment on the part Of IL
person present, he declared tha. he had
never felt happier i'll his life.
Having inquired tho time and asccr-
tniued that it was ten minutes of eleven,
he remarked that il would soon be over.
His brother then inquired ii h. could do
anything for him, when he said he would
take glass Of ale. Having drank this
.hc appeared to be satisfied.
The fatal moment now approaching, he
devoted the remaining portion OF his time
TO distributs those little articles he would
no longer want. Tc one he gave his ci-
gar 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 laudiady. The clock struck eleven,
and at the same moment he WAS informed
thai cab was at the door. He merely
said, Il am ready" and allowed himself
TO be conducted to the vehicle into which
he got with his brother. his other friends
following on behind, in others.
Arriving at the tragical spot, 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 Gus.
tomary decorum, shed tears. Pinckney
endeavored to preserve decOrum, but :
slight twltchinS in his mouth and eye
brows proclaimed his inward agitation.
All necessary preliminaries having now
been settled, and the. prescribed necessa
~ fotmalities gone through, the usua
question was put--''Wilt thou have thi
woman to be thy wife ?" al will.'4