Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-04-20
Operations OF A Gay Lieutenant
--He SwlndIes the Govern
ment and Deserts his Prom
iSed Bride.

From the Detroit Free Press, April IA
About four weeks ago young man arrived
in this city and registered himse II at one of
the principal hotels as Lieut. Burns Of the
] st United States Cavalry. He had been or
dered to this post as disbursng officer for the
payment of soldiers salaries and government
bounties to recruits. In this there was moth
ing particular, or anything to occasion even
la passing remark At the time OF his advent
his finances we're rather at a low ebb, and he
was forced, through temporary embarrass-
ment TO borrow a small sum of money from a
gentleman, formerly an officer in the volun-
teer service, for his immediate wants. After
remaining in the city for few days, be
took up permanent quarters al the Howard
House, where be branched out as a full.Aeds-
ed officer of the regular army. During his
stay at the Howard House, he mutually
enough came in contact with many officers
Of the volunteer force, TO several of whom he
was introduced, until one day be made the re-
mark that he made it point not to associate
with officers Of the volunteer force, no IN after
what their rank, when his acquaintance was
Immediately passed by, and the many little
conventonalities INDUCED in between guests
at hotel sm othered altogetger. His com
paratve isolation from the coupanionship of
those With whom he was necessarily thrown,
so far from having q depressing effect, only
added to his "siryness." After the duties of
the day we're over be strutted about the streets
and through the ho ell with the dignity of
general officer, and was as unapproachable
as the Callph ofBagdad. His airs and stylish,
address furnished the occupants of the hotel
with many hearty joke, and he soon became
known as the regular" On one particular
1 ha had hat
was remarkable fondAess for the softer sex.
Upon all occasions he was ever ready to
dance attendance upon female society. aud
lavish upon them all the attention which his
popiniay abilities would permit.
As time wore on his peacock airs increased.
Disdaining to appear in ordinary soldiers APP
parel he cast from him his regulation suit and
shone forth in a costly suit OF broadeloth and
fine linen. After airing these for few days,
he appeared in sporting attire, with cigar and
cane, which in few days more were cast
aside for another suit, until finally, barring
the irrepressibe jackanspes style of address,
J his change of appearance would have been
Icreditable to the performer of Protesn farce.
In order to have his conduct in keeping with
his rigging, he gave champagne suppers to
few favored friends in the city nearly every
night, and wound up his entertainments by
ordering bottles of wine to his room previous
to retirement. What became of these is ap-
parent from the fact that in the morning they
were invaribly found empty r0FF
During the past few days, he visited the
, several iewelry establishments in the city,
and layished the photographs of Secretary
Chase upon the most costly articles contained
therein. He encirced one of his digital ex.
> tremties with diamond ring valned at 5000,
adorned his person with gold watch and
chain, which cost like amount, and invested
S75 in another ring, which be retained for for
presentation to one of the waiter girls at the
Howard House, with whose charms he had
suddenly become enamored. After paving
the way to matrimonial overtures to his OWE
satisfaction, a night or two since he came ia
his knees before the fair one, and offe red bis
hand, heart, jewelry and greenbacks for ant
I in consideration Of a purely reciprocal return
from the object of his alteration. 1t is but
instice to the female to here state that his
= oyertures we're entirely unsupported, and IN
= looked for, and that she materially enough re-
onired timr to consider so grave proposal.
Rut his demands were made with pressing
earnestness and she finally consented, and
Lieut.. Burns was happy. producing a we'll
filed wallet, he handed over an amount sufi'
: eient TO procure the necessary wedding outfit,
/ and nominated yesterday morning as the
time. andthe Central depot as the place tc
I meet him, upon which they would take the
: train and be Joined in the holy bonds of wed
a lock Rt the first station after leaving the city
Procuring the attendance of q female friend
. the bride in expectancy repaired TO the sta
g ton at what she supposed was the proper
q time. 10 meetthe bridegroom, but, alas the
train had departed, and With it, as she imag
g ined, her prospective husband. Il would be
n idle 10 attempt to portray her Disappointment
| Suffice il to say that dlsconsolate and disap-
pointed she returned to the city TO await de
: velopments as to his whereabouts, which wsr'
n not destined to appear,
During the day the facts Of the affair Leaked
u out, and coming 70 the ears Of the military
t authorities they became suspicious that al
a was not right. Burns was under orders to re
port to ST. Johns yesterday, and had been en-
70 trusted with Sl3, 1000, with which he was 4
II pay of troops at that place. Dispatches werI
sent to St. Johns to notify the authoritie
there upon the arrival of the train whether b,
% was on board or not, and during the evening
n a negative answer was returned, so that al
/, hopes of having obeysd his instructions is q
n an end Itis supposed shat he has made hi
n escape to Canada with his il-gotten gains
His conduct with reference TO the girl h
proposed to make his bride is perfectly mex
plieable. From the presents Of money an,
valuables which he layished upon her it doe
: not appear reasonable that he intended 4
perpetuate mere joke upon her. On tn
4 other hand bis intentions so far as she va
d eonSerned may or may not have been honoEs