, 1863-11-30
JANUARY AND MAY.
Attempted Elopement Of an Old
Man Of Fifty with a
School Girl.
a Six.warrelled Argument Be-
fore the Church Door.

Last summer, 1t will be remembered, the Chicago
public turned to picnics Us If 'twerc second na-
turc with them, The excursion ticket admitted all
10 the 1nu privilege and there was no disc.imina-
ton between old or youngric OF poor, MANY were
The 1ads aud lasscs that found secluded shady bow
e1s IN which to breathe their fret loye-thia fs e1
peded-looked upon as a natural consequence
growing ont Of the pic mic excursion. We may a.
most say It waa a part ot the programme.
But there was an attachment formed at one OF
tie later Catho1ie pc-n1cs which, with its hnale is
nf 20 remarkable character that we giro the psr.
ncuIafs. In the crowd upon the cars, an old man
who is On the ehady side of titty, who has rag
etorc On West Canal street, WIS thrown into the
company OF beautiful little miss OF fourteen sum-
1ners-a romping, playful rosy checked school girl
who had never tested tbe realities Of life. The old
man, attracted by the free, playful polite manner
CT the little miss, paid her fully as much attention
rs would be expected from q fathcrly old man to a
pleasant school gill. She accepted his overtures
aud kind acta while upon the grounds and on their
way home, without thinking he meant more than
friendly kindness. But the matter did not Sstop
here. The old man had visions Of that fair-haircd
Cirl ever before his eyes. Whether upon the street
or while weighing therags brought into his store by
the ragged urchjns and children from the Streets his
mind was upou the beautiful little girl be had
met ut the picnic. But what was to be doncl He
an old rag-buyer, and she the budding flower Of
wealthy and influential fami1yl How could he
care to ask her hand in marriage-for that was
what he had determined upon In one way and
another, without the knowledge Of the parents he
gained her society," at divers times and Places ho
lavished presents upon her, and made himself par
ticnlarly agreeable to her, and strange az 1t may
eeem, the two were finally engaged to be married,
entirely without the knowledge or consent Of her
parents.
The day h1ed for the ceremony that was 10 blend
together January and May, was Thanksgiving Day,
at three O'Clock in the afternoon. or ali this the
fsnuy were entirely tgnorant 80 shrewt'ly had the
kept her own counsel. cven from her parents and
brother.
But She had paid less attention to her studies
the lnteet styles, which suggested to the parents
that something unusual WIS occupying her mind
Hc9 brother. who bad been her most intimate COM
WAS condding in another, and that he was treated
with comparative indifference By his sister, who
was as dear TO him as his own life, and be deter
closely watched her movements from dAv to day,
euw her walk out, and meet the old man, doubtless
at an sppolnted time and place: He carefully
the strcete, unnl she returned home. But then be
failed to gain any satisfactory reply to the OBJ
jcct Of her interview With the Old rag,man-
VI
drove up before The door Of he residence Of this
very young lady's parents, and che stepped out Of
the door, saying to her usma that Ar. B. had
called 10 take her. out riding" The car
riage drove. lcisure1y round two or three
Catholic Church, On tho North Side. The
brother, young man, though unobseved By
the representative Of either January or May, was
on their track, Etin intent upon projecting his be-
loved eister fom any snare. p the time The old
he'd alighted upon the Sidewalk, preparatory to
their appearance before the hyInenial altar,
the whole affair flashed ACROSS the young mans
Mlnd-he could NOW understand many acts OF his
sister, that had before been as an enigma to him.
iutentione, which were nothing less than that Of
marrying hia sister. 4 desperate disease demands
q desperate rcmedy-the brother stepped in front
OF the old dcceiver, as he Wis approaching the
language that csnld not be misunderstood, that II
he did not retnrn his sister to her home, at once
lie would blow him through-zhat he would sooner
follow his sister to her grave than see her married
to him. The old man began TO- argue the case-the
10th and ne the old fellow still stealthily pursued
his steps towards the door, he WAS stopped by the
young man. who insisted that he could not take an
o,hef step, except it be at the peril Of his life
the altar lighted up The tho got into The carriage
together, the brother and sister upon the back
ecat, the disappointed old lover sitting alone.
Scarcely word was spoken on the way from the
church to the house. The old man looked morose
lied the fatal error which she was about voluntarily
falling into, and the young man apparently enjoyed
the satisfaction OF having saved his sister from the
| clutches Of one whom he despiaed. After the
party aliehIed from ihs saTage 'he &c 1,a man soes
t dress which he had presented to her, and mads
.tracks for his rag shop.