The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-26
ELOPEMENT FROM TORONTO.

ELOpEMENT FROM TORONTO.
From the Toronto Globe, 9TH
For the last few days the gossip mon
gers of Toronto have had rich dish of
scandal to digest in the shape of an elope-
ment, and the stories atiOat on the subject
have been of the most astounding charac-
ter. a regular "SchOol for Scandal has
been set up, and the Lady Sneerwells, the
Mrs. Candours, and the Sir Benjamin
Backbites, have had full swing, which
eliminated yesterday, in report that the
"gay deceiver had been pistolled in New
York by the cousin of his unfortunate
victim.
Before describing the "elopement and
its consequences, it may be remarked
that on the 18th day of July, 1861, the
Goth British regiment landed in Toronto.
There was a tluttering among the young
ladies belonging to the "upper twenty, {"
and visions of "officers bold and brave -
danced before their eyes. Papas called
and left their cards, the ladies got new
dresses of the latest fashion, and invita-
tons were literally sent out to all and
sundry, from the Colonel commanding
down to the newly-fedged Ensign, and
were as readily accepted. Among the Off
GERS was a gallant OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
William Massey-who got his company in
the regiment on the 18th of May, 1860.
He is the son of a large landed proprietor
in Ireland, and cousin to the celebrated
''Redan Massey. It was given out that,
he was worth $4,000 sterling a year, and
being of the "gay and festive" class, as
Artemus Ward hath it, he was soon well
known to the Torontonians. But there
was bar sinister, SO to speak, on his char
acter, as he had brought with him to Can
ada lady, leaving his own legally welded
wife behind him. He defied public opinion
in regard to this lady, who was young,
good-looking, and said to be the daughter
openly walking and driving with her.
This, as might easily be expected, soon
came to TIE ears of many of the mammas
who had given "carte blanche -" to their
daughters to invite the officers to tea, and
Captain Nathaniel William Masseys name
was struck off the invitation lists Invita-
tons were issued for large party by one
of the leading ladies of fashion in the city,
and among the selected number were the
officers of the garrison, Captain Massey ex-
cepted. When this came to the Captain S
ears he was indignant, and forthwith sum-
moned meeting of the mess and stated
his grievance, and as he was favorite with
his brother officers they agreed to stay
away unless he was invited. The alterna-
tive, therefore,. was either to invite the
Captain or lose the company of the cred
coats . and their band. Several stood out,
but goodly number succumbed.
During the remainder of the summer,
"the Captain" whom everybody seemed
to know, was to be seen riding fast horse
or driving handsome tilbury, with SER
want in livery and cockade seated at the
back. He spent his money freely, appear
ed frequently at places of amusement,
sometimes with the "lady" and OCCASION
ally without her, until the snow set in,
when he started flashy-looking cutter,
and seemed to enter into all the delights
of a Canadian winter. In the following
spring he obtained leave of absence and
departed from the city, taking the lady
before mentioned with him. On his re-
turn he came back without her, and it was
reported that she had gone to England.
But another rumOr began to be whisper
ed about him to the effect that he had left
wife behind him in England, and that a
commission had been sent to Toronto to
take evidence in suit of divorce, to be
brought in due course before Sir Cress-
we'll Cresswell. This was not well known
to the general public, but was openly talk
ed Of by the gentlemen ofthe long robe, ,
who appeared to be al fat on the subject
At this time Captain Massey again pro.
cured leave of absence on the plea that he
was required in England on important bu.
siness, and went off to New York. His
arrival there was announced in the New
York journals, but from some cause OF
other he came back to the city and Joined
his regiment. He was very popular will
his men, and was in the habit of making
presents to them Of gloves and tobacco OF
his birthday, and his liberality and franz
manner, made many overlook his othe
faults and failings, the "Open-hand GOV
ering multitude of SINS Never idle
, when fun was to be procured, he made
preparations for ''grand fox hunt" OF
Col. Wells Hill, ami Torontonians fiocket
+ to witness the sport, and the days doing
/ were fully recorded at length in the daily
: journals. After season offlln and frolic
q he again obtained leave of absence, soil
+ off his horse, and set sail for England
where he stayed few months.
q Crossing the Atlantic again to New
York, he made the acquaintance of
"Scotch heiress,' neice of a well know
h., banker in this city, and he came on t
Toronto with her and her aunt. He fol
e lowed up the acquaintance so began, an
h was to be seen daily, driving about wit
!. Miss McTavish, and the general opinio
: appeared to be that when the divorce wa
: procured. there would be another g mai
i rage in high life in Toronto 1t is II