Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-01-15

On Saturday night last we found on our
desk neatly-witten note, purporting to be
an invitation to q peculiar select gathering,
to take place in the evening, at private
residence on West Eight-street. An indis-
pensible Up. s." allayed our fears--for we
dislike very much attending "suppers pre-
pared for theloccasion" informing US that
we would be the only representative of the
public at large present. Having been inti-
mately acquainted with the writer Of the
note for number Of years, and taking it as a
matter of course that nothing but true
friendship had prompted him TO tempt US to
attend, we left the scene of our days labor
with determination to be there at the
specified hour.
Notwithstanding the extreme iuclemency
of the weather, the drizzling, misty rain, the
gloomy darkness and heavy atmosphere that
pervaded the streets, we weDded our way to
the residence Of our friend, and as the distant
tolliDg of town clock fell heavy and dead.
ened upon the unpleasant a2d damp air, the
door opened and we were admitted into q
room richly furnished with handsome and
fashionebly carved furniture, whileJ against
the walls hung paintings of artistic design
and execution. The chandeliers were decked
with evergreens, and gave to the rooms, ia
their lighted condition, a brillisncy most
duzzling. The superb carpet covering the
floor was ofrich texture and variegated with
cOlors, fitting for the abode of angels of Para
disc. AS we atterw ard learned, all the invited
guests had preceded u.s. and we were well
coined with generous hospitality and undis-
Puised friendship.
After an hour or two of social epjoymen
supper was announced, and the entire party,
consisting of elk gentlemen and eight la
dies, was led into another room, where a
table presented itself ladened with viands of
delicious and tempting qualities.
After all were seated, there remained
three seats unoccupied, being alternate ones
from three of the ladies. The host having
possession Of the table, arose and proceeded
as follows:
"FTiends, Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t is now
the llih day of January, 1862. Five years
ago this night eight young men were assem-
bed in club room, and during the evening
the name of young lady was mentioned.
One ofthe gentlemen ventured q prediction in
spirit of good humor, that the lady
could not be won by any one of the party.
He even went so far as to banter o wager
with any one present, that he would marry
the lady himself before fvo years had passed.
Five of the gentlemen present might know
that accepted the wager, which was to be a
supper, given at the house of the winner,
the loser paying all expenses. The wager
also stipulated that each gentleman, if living
should attend, accompanied by his wife, il
| married, or a lady acquaintance, if still
single, and eDjoined secresy. The wager
| has been won and am not the loser. The
| circle OF eight has been broken, and there is
| present but i've who were witnesses of the
transaction; the missing three are now il
the army, among which is the loser of the
singular wsger. A few days ago | received
letter from bin, ncosing check for $3.50
with an Injunction not to fail in executing
| the unique agreement. Three of the eigh
are married, and are here to night with thei
| wives; five yet remain single, two of WHOM
have stated, three are in the service of ou
county, but are represented tonight b!
three lady acquaintaDces.
"The young lady who was uuconsciously
the cause OF the wager is now my wife, ou
marriage having occurred one year ago thi
day. Bella was curious aud wanted to know
why particularly desired to be married o.
the eleventh day of the month instead of th
first, and she now knows the reason, whic
have steadfsstly kept secret up to thi
present moment" .F
This narrative greatly surprised tn
ladies-none of whom knew aught of tn
agreement, or thought the entertainment
more than a social gathering of usus
custom. The expose did not mar the pleas
ure of the evening, and the three absent one
were remembered with many kind wishe
and heart felt prayers for safety.
AS it was not enjOined upon us to keep th
affair quiet, we have written the foregoing
which may or may not prove interesting
our readers, reserving the right of withhold
| ing Names