The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-03-21
4 Deceiver Tricked and Trapped.

An unparalleled matrimonial adventure
has taken place during the last week in Dud-
ley. A Mr. Wrags, patent smoke-bottls
maker, few years ago paid his addresses to
Mrs Lydia Bradley, in Birmingham street.
Dudley. After having had two children by
her, he proved faithless to his vows, and :.
few weeks ago commenced paying his ad-
dresses to Mrs Nancy Lane, who keeps a
! tripe shop in the town. Mrs Lane happen
ing to be on terms Of friendship with her
fair rival, was determined to punish Mr.
Wragg for his faithlessness to his former
love, by putting into execution a stra,agem
which has no parallel in the annals of matri-
monial bonds. Feignirs to receive his ad-
dresses with tenderness. she consented that
the bans Of marriage should be published in
Wordsley church, and, being experienced in
the forms necessary to be undergone, she un-
dertook TO have them published herself. TINS
she did, but instead of giving the clerk her
own name she gave him that of Mrs Lydia
| Bradley. So far all went well but the diff
culties TO he overcome were still great-bui
not too great for woman's wit The morn
ing for the celebration Of the happy even,
came and with it also came Mr. Wragg 70
the house of his '.new love" Mrs Lane re-
ceived him with smiles. ready attired in her
wedding drees, and Informed him that if he
would wait ten minutes. whilst she made
some little preparations up stairs, and put
her veil on, she would accompany him to the
church. No sooner was this ruse over than
she Immediately transferred the wedding
garments 10 Mrs Bradley, who descended
the stairs, duly yelled and decorated with the
attire of Mrs Lane. 1t is customary in Dud-
ley for the bridegroom 10 lead the way to
church, accompanied by the bridesmaid. the
father and bride bringing up the rear Of the
cOrtese. Of course this was all in favor of
the success OF the plot, and the party arrived
at church. The trepidaticn of tn, represent
ative of Mrs Nancy Lanes charms NAV be
more easily conceived than described when
her faithless one was brought thus far, and
had TO 60 through the ceremony; but, de-
spairing not, the ceremony was entered up
OH; aye-and such was the "amazement" of
poor Mr. Wragg that he went through il
without noticing that the name Of his bride
was lydia Bradley. and not Nancy Lane
After leaving the altar, and being still in
blissfui ignorance of the trick that had been
played upon him, the gay Benedict attempted
to steal kiss. He was successful: but be-
hold the face was not Nancy's but Lydia's
The sequel only remains to be told: the
bridegroom, who had been audibly consoling
himself on his way from church upon
the prospect of being "independent for life,
with Mrs Lanes tripe business" found him.
self in the wrong box. Indignant in the
highest degree, the newly-maGe Benedict
forthwith proceeded to the residence OF his
intended" and reproached her bitterly
Nancy met his reproofs with such smiles OF
consolation, that poor Mr. Wragg waxed
wroth, and sought 10 redress his wrongs by
applying to an attorney. Alack-a-day. the
gentleman of the law told him that his onl,
remedy was an application for divorce, bu,
he would not be answerable for the amour;
Of the costs, so the faithless Mr. Wlagg has
been obliged TO put up with his rib. ts The
no small amusement of the whole town.
English Paper.