Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-05-05
NEW SERIES, VOL. 8, NO lo.] {.
Mr.. Sickles and Count Bethlen-'
Parallel. Ja 10 a7 l..s.s

Parallel. 1t 20 -
An intelligent correspondent Of The Fsr
York Tribune communicates to that paper
a parallel case with the Sickles '.affair OF
honor" with very different termination:
From the most polished circles of our up
town society, to the liquor stores and lager
beer saloons of the workman, the Sickles
tragedy forms almost the only subject of
general conversation and discussion. But
generally all discussion and conversation
ends with the question: "How could Mr..
Sickles have done otherwise, without losing
his character as man and gentleman"-
We think it, therefore, quite apropas to re-
late to your readers story of
real life, and Of modern times. by which
we will show how true gentleman could
act, and did act, in a similarly sorrowful
and sad position as that in which Mr..
Sickies was put by the crime of Mr.. Key;
how honor could be satisfied, without vio-
lation OF the laws of the State, or the more
sacred laws of humanity. rEt-
la ls47. Only twelve years ago, an En-
glish nobleman, Sir William Paget, re-
nowned 10 the best society of London for
his eminent erudition, his manly beauty
and fascinating conversation, and we'll
known to the literary world by his writings,
went over TO the Continent. Having visit
ed France, Germany. Switzerland and Aus
tria, he went to Hungary, a country which
was then on the eve of great events. He
spent several weeks at Perth. and in the
neighboring country-seats OF the Hungarian
mobiles. In the beginning of autumn he
visited Transylvania. and was received at
the castle of Count s. Bethlen with all the
oriental hospitality and generosity that a
rich Hungarian magnate likes to display 10
every man OF education who visits him
Count Bethlen was descended from the old
royal family of the Bethlen-gabors. He
was ine-looking old man, every inch
real gentleman. He was married some
years previous to young noble lady of his
country, the Countess NJ. L., who was not
yet twenty years old, the Count being near
ly fifty. He had known her as a child IN
the home of her mother, and she married
him, as young girls often do, more for
tie high respect than for the deep love she
felt for Count Bethlen. Notwithstanding
both lived happy family life in the old
immense feudal castle Of the Bethlens, near
Claursenbdrgh. Sir William Paget, to
whom the Count had given a suite Of apart.
ments, sadcle-horses and attendants lived
several weeks in this family, enjoying the
varied hospitalities of the castle and coun-
try. 1t is needless to say the brilliant con-
versation and the exquisitely polite man.
ners of Sir William soon found grace in
the eyes OF the young and beautiful Coun-
tess. Sir William proved the "Consuelo,"
and criminal love ensued. One day the
Count went out hunting on horseback. Sir
William Paget stayed at the castle with
pretended illness; but one of the Counts
attendants warned the Count, telling him if
he would but return to the castle he would
hnd the stranger in the Countess's apart
ments. In hot haste the Count rode home ;,
and found Sir William in the bed-chamber
OF his lady. Arming himself with pistols
he forced Sir William to follow him to his
private room; being there he sent for no.
tary and two confidential witnesses, asking
Sir William if he had abused his hospital
Ity and confidence in consequence of real
love to his wife, and if his love met a re-
sPonse. The answer being in the sffirma-
tive, he ordered the notary to draw up
contract OF marriage between the Countess
of Bethlen, born Countess N L., and Sir
Wilhelm Pager,fa late OF the -Rorui Hussa.a
OF London. The contract in one, the loaded
pistol in the other hand. the Count with o
terrible but quiet earncstness, summoned
Sir William to sign the ac; OF marriage i'm
mediately or to die on the spot. Sir Will
lam Paget signed the contract. The next
day the Bishop of Clausenburgh was sent
for, divorce was legally procured, and a
week aterSard the marriage formally COM
Pieied in the castle of neighboring noble
man. The Count gave to his wife all her
jewels, horses and carriages; and some
months a:terward Sir William Paget boug 1t
from him one of his large possessions in
Transylvania, where up to the present time
he lives happily with his wife