The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-09-30
A Cario.. M.rriag &c and Divorc. s.i..

MARRYING A WIFE, TO ESCAPE BEING EATEN FOR
DrNNER--The law gossip Of the week concerns more
especially those who go down to sea in ships, and
may serve as a warning lesson to those who prefer
present security to future peace and happiness. A
year or two ago NJ. Mal6latre, honor, hope and heir
of a renowned calico printer, stocking maker, and
night cap vender Of Rouen, set sail from Havre to
proceed to Sydney, III order to superintend the bust
ness which his father carried on in that place., and
which the death of his partner had left without sur
veillance- One of those accidents which will happen
in spite of captain or compass, even to the best
governed ships on the ocean, happened, as a matter
of course, to the rotten little bark in which NJ. NAL
flafre set sail-and on the inhospitahle shore of
Wanis's Island was it wrecked; everything lost but
M. M~alilatre, to whom everything was lost but honor.
The plump person and defenseless state of the young
merchant became n great temptation to the dainty
inhabitants Of Walliss Island, who have Disguised
the missionaries by eating each other, and they car
ried him away to the chiefs hut with loud shouts Of
triumph at the sweet morsel which the waves had
thrown upon their shore. The Catholic missionaries
have a small establishment of the MARSHES on the
Island They work night and day with unremitting
zeal, at the conversion of these savages, and have got
as far as the prevention of infanticide for gastronomic
purposes, which is n great step; but they have not as
yet been able to inspire the wholesome dislike Of
human hesh which should certainly fosm the first
step in every conversion to Christianity. The poor
young man, in his dilemma, appealed piteously to
the reverend fathers; but they confessed that they
possessed no influence; that they were barely tolerated
and dared not interfere.
The only rescue to be expected could be obtained
by choosing a wife amongst the native women, and
conserving to remain on the island forever. After
much persuasion from the missionary he accepted the
latter alternative. and the holy father, according to
the custom of his nation, chose a bride for the young
man, and took especial care to choose a good parfi-
no less a one than the daughter of the chief. One
thing, however, the father insisted on; the marriage
should BIZ solemnized seriously with Catholic rites;
and at all events the bridegroom should be bound by
proper registers, and not be permitted to treat the
sacred ceremony with the same ~lightness as it is else
where
Everything was consented to by the young man,
who had grown attached to life by means of a good
supper; and, accordingly, on the next day the beauti-
full Suleta, all freshly taffooed from head to foot her
fair proportions undis6gured by crinoline, was led to
the altar Of the MARSHES by NJ. Mal6latre. But, Of
course, our hero from Rouen had treated the whole
thing as a little harmless e~xpedient to keep a safe
skin and whole bones in this hungry land, and soon
began to look ont for an opportunity of quitting the
scene of his connubial felicity. Some months elapsed,
however, before this opportunity occurred; but at
length, one afternoon, wandering disconsolate on the
beach. he deserted a vessel in the of6ng. 1t was an
English vessel, whose boats crew in answer to the
signal of distress hoisted by the bridegroom, fastened
to the rescue, and bore him off to the ship without
discovery on the part of the natives, who would have
killed and eaten them all bad they been aware of the
treachery intended. NJ. Mal6latre landed safe and
sound at Havre only two months ago. He found that
great changes had taken place in his fathers house.
hold during his absence. An inheritance had fallen
in-fortune had smiled most graciously upon the old
man. and the son, after all his wretchedness and
misery, returned TO md himself the heir OF wealth he
had never dreamed Of The srst thing for a rich man
in France to do, is, as we all know, to provide him
self with a rich wife; the father began TO look about
him, and having found a suitable match, the parties
were straighfway brought forth to be married.
But now arose the dificulty-young Malflatre
could not deny his marriage at Wallis's Island by a
Catholic priest, according to Catholic rites. The
marriage was legal in every point Of view. excepting
IN the one point of the non-consent of the parents of
the bridegroom. So, therefore. notice was served by
a huissier upon the "Demoiselle Suleta, falsely call
ing herself Madame Malflatre.' to show cause why
she should not be dispossessed of that title. OF course
the whole affair was considered a mighty good Joke
by the gossips, and laughed at accordingly; for, of
course. after the delay expired, no parfie cirile ap-
pearing, judgment would 60 by default. and Malfla-
tire might be free to marry whom he pleased. Thus |
utter confusion Of the sangune bridegroom and his \
rich wife, the bishop of Australia and Oceana, in
whose diocese that paradise of which we have given
some of the most striking fraites de meurs, and in
defence OF morality and religion, proclaims himself |
ready to become partie ciUile in this case, for the pro-
lection of the helpless Suleta. We may Judge of the
CONDENSATION thrown among the ranks Of jewellers,
costumers, and modistes all engaged for the rich
marriage-the tears Of the rich bride, the rawlings Of
the rich bridegroom. The debates which are TO come |
on directly, will be full of interest, and Of warning
at the same time. The case is considered one Of the |
most curious on record, and has been complicated |
since the issue Of the first miss en- demeure, bv the I
arrival Of the news of the birth at wallis's Island of.
q son to the house Of Mal6latre, who now shares the
interest hitherto absorbed by the tattooed Suleta-
Correspondence of the Boston Posi-. |
a RELIGIOUS JOURNAL ON THE LATE DUEL-With
consent and intent, with murder aforethought. and
in plot-with revenging passion wrought up to
6endish purpose. with q thirst for blood-Mr. George I
Pen Johnston and Mr.. w. L Ferguson, went last Sat-
urday to Angel Island. to kin each other. Seven
went with then to superintend the murder; il is
said about one hundred persons were present. to see
It's consummation. The two men shot at each other
times. Each drew blood-disfrauchised them. |
themselves the contempt Of brave men;
proved themselves moral towards; committed . crime |
against the State, and covered themselves with blood
before God. This is the frozen truth, or q
very dishonorable and disgraceful business Bone
will call it " an affair Of honor - no such veneer or
rsrnish r~v h. u,ods - ~cv.. eho srH.nv ~ the de>d. l.