The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-01-26
WESTERN DEMOCRAT.
Charlotte, N. c..
A DRAMA IN REAL LIFE.

law courts, which shows some of the work
! ings of the matrimonial system in the old
country, and really reads more like the plot
of an amusing comedy than a chapter in
real life. A gentleman of limited means
applied to Matrimonial Agency office,
entered his name, paid his fee, stated
his desire-to obtain "a wife with money
was shown a number of ladies' portraits,
and, after minute inquiries, expressed hn,-
self pleased with one, the original Of which
had 100000 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 800 more to the hymenial go-be-
tween, the agent for persons if not hearts,
the wife-seeker, whose name is Allen, OBJ
tanned an interview with the .ady. As Allen
! had simply described himself as only
wanting woman with money!" it may be
imagined that he was not likely to be disatis-
fed with any crinolined possessor of $50
600. However, the lady whom be saw ac-
tually had youth, if not good looks, and
| Mr.. Allen, considering himself very for
tunate, pressed his suit like an ardent
(money hunting) lover, as he was, and was
duly and tenderly accepted. Here ends
Act |. of this life drama.
Sharp as he was Tor ought to be. for he
was bill-broker by profession,) Mr.. Allen
was so completely taken in by the appear
81. IL Al
satisfy himself whether or not her reputed
fortune was notes of the Bank of England
or the ''Bank of Elegance" Dazzled by
! the diamond fash of her bright eyes, our
hero omitted to ascertain whether or not
the lady had jewels of more earthly kind.
Yet he did not take everything for granted.
Helearned that she resided at Chetenham, a
fashionable watering place, and thither he
betook himself. There he actually saw the
lady riding in private carriage, which he
naturally assumed to be her own, and be-
came satisfied that she also possessed the
luxury of lady's maid. THE course of
true love never yet ran smooth and the
lady confessed that she had made a
sort of contract to marry another swain;
that she would surrender him for the sake
of darling Mr.. Allen; that it would be ne
cessary, however, to steal march on this
to- be dreaded rival, and that therefore, as
she dreaded to excite suspicion by order
ing the usual matrimonial trousseau, she
must start on her bridal tour minus the
Gil eli fao al
vets and moires antique usual we believe,
on these extremely Interesting occasions.
Every man we are persuaded. has some
vanity in his mposition-sometimes to a
much larger extent than much-abused wo-
mankind possess-and what could be more
fattering to Mr.. Aliens amour propre than
the assurance, gently confessed with half a
sigh and half smile, that the lady had
fancied another, but was now willing to
devote herself to himself alone!
Allen was properly tickled, no doubt,
and agreed to marry the lady, even though
she did net appear at the altar in white
silk, Brussels veil, and a darling gossa-
mer bonnet, trimmed with fitting array of
orange blossoms. He married her, and
here let the curtain decorously drop on
Act II.
Having made such a good hit, as he
thought, Mr. Charles John Allen determin
ed to pass the honeymoon, like man of
spirit and means, at Paris. Unfortunately,
though not deficient in brass, which is part
of the stock in trade of a regular bill-shaver
he wanted what is sometime familiarly call
ed tin. He was not making much gear by
his business-as he had contrived to spend
somewhat more, was certainly not very
we'll off. However, his wife's 100000
would set all right, and, on the strength of
his being about to make such a good match
an opulent friend was so kind as to lend
him 81 $50. Now of all places in the world
there is none where "happy couple can
spend their time and their money more
agreeably and rapidly than Paris with its
theatres, balls, drives, restaurants, and
above all, tempting jewelry stores in the
Palais Royal and the fascinating millinery
shops in the Boulevards. Reckoning
these in their account, and stating that
they were nearly five weeks in Paris, the
money lasted long time. When they
reached the house of Mr.. Aliens mother, in
London, the 81 $50 had dwindled down to
$50. Here with domestic tableau of re-
ception, closes Act III.
Mothers are much keener than young
husbands, just emerging from the honey
moon. The day after the arrival of MFR.
Allen and his bride, while the fortunate
happy husband was slipping his wine and
cracking his flberts after dinner, in stalked
like Mrs. Siddons as Lady Macbeth. Mrs.
Allen senior-in red turban and a tre-
mendcus passion; perturbed, in fact, as
well as perturbated. Without moments
pause. or note Of preparation, she pounc ces
down on her unsuspieieus son. "Charles
John :" she cried in deep voice. '.yeu ave
been took in. Instead of marrying a lady