Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-03
A Romance of Life in New York that is no
Fiction.

A wealthy gentleman whom we shall call Mr.
A., had young and lovely daughter, an onl!
child, just turned sixteen, upon whom his fond
est hopes and warmest affections were centered
as the companion and solace of his widowed life
Circumstances requiring his frequent abse9c'
from the city he had permitted his daughter t.
pass her weekly vacations from school witt
friends here, whom we shall call Mr.. and Mrs
B., who resided up town, in one of our fash
ionable neighborhoods.
The young lady became acquainted, accident
ally. with q young man, whom we shall call Mr.
c., who also resided in this city.
The beauty and fascinations of Miss A. soor
captivated him, and Mr..C. became frequen
visiter at the house where she passed her vaca
tions-so frequent that Mr.. B. felt it his duty tt
apprise Mr.. A. of the circumstance, lest any res
possibility of the consequences might rest upoI
him or his family.
| Mr. A. Immediately hastened to the city, ant
seeking an interview with the young man, for
bade any further attentions to his. daughter
which, after some hesitation. Mr.. G. promised Il
observe upon the receipt of one thousand dollars
The sum was promptly paid him, and for few
weeks the matter was apparently disposed Of
Miss A. remained at the house of her friends
and, to all appearances, had forgotten Mr.. G. a:
well as the little episode which had occurred in
her youthful history. Judge of the surprise o.
her friends on her informing them, ,one fine morn.
ing, that she had been married three days pre-.
viously, and that Mr.. O. was her husband
The ceremony had been performed at the resi-.
dence OF fashionable clergyman, and she had
returned directly to the house of her friends, mot
having since seen her husband Mr.. A., who
IL ~ h. INN oo1f 70
graphed to repair to this city, and his anguish
on being informed of what had occurred may be
imagined
An interview with the young man satisfied
him that it was useless to appeal to his heart or
his head, and he, therefore, appealed to his
pocket, demanding how much money would in
duce him to sign release of his marital rights
and relinquish for ever all claims to the young
lady. The husband was disinclined to name q
sum, and very coolly asked the agonized father
how much it would be worth to him to have
his daughter back again. "Four thousand dol
lars" exclaimed Mr.. A., 81 will cheerfully give
you, which. with one thousand already paid,
makes five thousand dollars, to which you are
welcome, if you will now restore me my child"
The husband assented.
The three drove at once to lawyers office,
where it was found that it would require some
hours to prepare the papers, and it was agreed
that the three should meet at ten o'clock the
next morning at the same Office, to sign the do
cuments, the money, meanwhile, being paid to
Mr. G., and his word of honor given to execute
the release.
At nine o'clock the next morning, Mr.. O. drove
to the door of Mr.. b., inquired for Mr. A., and
demanded his wife! She, hearing of his being
there, entered the room; and in the face of the
violated agreement. the payment of the heavy
forfeit, the agony of her desolate father, and the
warning Of her friends, went away with her
husband.-N y Post.