Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-12-23
MISCELLAN A n Y. {.
From the Philadelphia Press.
A Drama nf Real Life.

The London Morning fosI supplies US WIN
narrative, curious and true, OF circumstance
elected in one of the English law Courts, which
shows some of the working of the matrimonial
system in the old country, and really reads more
ike tho plot of an amusing comedy than chap
ter in real lfe A gentleman OF limited means
applied to a Matrimonial Agency Office, entered
his name. paid his fee, stated his desire--to Oh.
tain "a woman with money"-was shown a
large number of ladies' portraits, and, after some
minutes, expressed himself pleased with one, the
original of which had $4,000 in her own right,
he was told. a correspondence between the
parties was the result-unfortunately the letters
have not been published-and, at last, on paying
S75 to 500 more to the hymenial go-between,
the agent for persons if not hearts, thes wife
seeker, whose name is Allen, obtained an inter-
view with the lady. As Allen had simply de-
scribed himself as only wanting "a woman with
money" it may be imagined that he was not
likely to be dissatisfied with any crinolined pos
SCISSOR of $4,000. However, the lady whom lie
saw actually had youth, if not good looks, and
Mr. Allen, considering himself very fortunate,
pressed his suit like an ardent Quoney- hunting)
lover, as he was, and was duly and tenderly ac-
cepted. Here ends Act |. of thi5 life drama.
Sharp as he was, Cor ought ~ be, for he was
q bill-broker by professionD Mr.. Allen was SO
completely taken in by the appearance OF the
demoiseilie, that lie omitted to satisfy himself
whether or not her reputed fortune was in notes
of the Bank of England, or the Bank of Ele-
gance." Dazzed by the diamond flash of her
bright ewes, our hero omitted to ascertain wheth-
er or not the lady had jewels of more earthly
kind. Yet he did not take everything for grant
ed He learned that she was residing at Chel-
tenham, fashionable watering place, and thith-
er he betook himself. There he actually saw
the lady riding in private carriage, which he
naturally assumed to be her own, and became
satisfied that she also possessed the luxury OF q
lady's maid "The course of true love never yet
ran smooth"-and the lady confessed that she
had made q sort of pre-contract to marry anoth-
err swain that she would surrender him, for the
sake of her darling Mr. Allen; that it would be
necessary, however, TO steal march on this to
be dreaded rival; and that therefore, as she
dreaded 10 excite suspicion by ordering the usua
matrimonial trOuSSean, she must start on heI
bridal tour, minus the silks and muslins, laces
and feathers velvets and molreS antique, usual
we believe, ON those extremely interesting occa-
sions. Every man, We are persuaded, has some
vanity in his Observation-Disclosures to a much
larger extent than muclI-abused Womankno
possess--aud what could be more tiatterlng tC
Mr. Aliens amour pr0pre than the assurance
gently confessed with half sigh and half a
suile, that the lady had fancied another, but
now willing 70 devote herself To himself alone
Allen was properly ticlled, no doubt, aud agreed
to marry the lady, even though she did not ap-
pear at the altar in white silk, Brussels veil
aud darling gossamery bonnet, trimmed with
fitting array of orange blossoms. He married
her, and here let the curtain decorously drop on
Act II.
Having made such good hit as he thought,
Mr.. Charles John Allen determined to pass the
honeymoon, like u man oi spirit and MEANS at
Paris. Unfortunately, though not deficient in
brass, which is part of the stock in trade of u
regular bill-shaver, he wanted what is sometimes
lamiliarly called tn. He was not making much
gear by his buSiness-as he had contrived to
spend somewhat more and was certainly not
very well off. However his wife's $4,000
would set all right, and ON the strength of his
being about to make such good match, an op-
ulent friend was 50 kind Us to lend him S1,250.
Now, of all places in the world there is none
where "a happy couple" can spend their time
and their money more agreeably and. rapidly
than Paris, with its theatres, balls, drives, res
taurants, and, above all, the tempting .jewelry
stores IN the Palais Royal, and the fascinating
millinery shops in the Boulevards Reckoning
these in the account, and stating that they were
nearly five weeks in Paris, the money lasted q
long time. When they reached the house OF
Mr. Aliens mother in London, the $1,25O had
dwindled down to $780, Here, with domestic
tableau of reception, closed Act ILL.,
Mothers are much keener than young hus-
baLds, just emerging from the honeymoon. The
day after the arrival of Mr. Allen aud his bride,
while the fortunate and happy husband was sip
ping his wine and cracking his filberIs after din
ner, in stalked, like Siddons as Lady Macbeth,
Mrs. Allen, senior-in red turban and tre-
mendous passion; perturbed, in fact, as well as
per-turbaned. Without moments pause or
note of preparation, she pounces down on her
unsuspicious SON t.Charles .Iuhnln she cried in