The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-04
May and December.
A man OF Sixty Inveigles a Girl OF
Fifteen into Marriage
From the Boston Traveller, July II.

u
Fifteen into Marriage.
From the Boston Traveller, July II.
We have recently been made acquainted
with the particulars of a transaction that
is creating considerable excitement at the
South End. A man, whose reputation in
Boston had been very bad, reformed, and
has been living quietly in a house owned
by himself. A widow lady also resided in
the house, the man taking his meals with
her. He is upwards of sixty years of age
and widower. The woman had a yery
interesting and intelligent daughter, be-.
tween fifteen and sixteen years Of age. and.
unknown to the mother, the hoary sinner
has been making love to her., tits alleged
that he talked pretty freely to her about
his wealth, urging her to marry him. and
telling her that if she did do so she would
have nothing to do but live life of indo-
lence and ease, enjoying the benefit of his
property. Through these inducements,
and in the expectation of coming into pos
session of the immense estate said to be
owned by him, the girl Silly consented to
become his wife. He then visited the city
registrar and falsely representing that the
girl was over eighteen years of age, OBJ
tanned certificate of marriage, with which
the couple clandestinely visited the resi-
dence of clergyman, who united them in
marriage.
This agreeable little ceremony Gas the
old man doubtless thought it having been
performed, they returned to the residence
of the mother, it having been agreed by
the couple that for while the marriage
should be kept secret from everybody,
with the exception, of course, of the regis
trar, the clergyman and the necessary wit
nesses.
Two or three weeks afterwards, young
man returned home from the war, who
had previously been paying attentions to
the young miss, and it was understood
that they were engaged to each other. As
heretofore, he visited the house of his be-
trothed and resumed his courtship :;
and a room in the dwelling was as.
signed to him by the mother. On the
second day after his temperance on
the scene, the old man went up to his
room, and desired an explanation of his
conduct and made an enquiry as to bis fu-
ture intentions. The young gallant, not
being in the secret, of course questioned
the right of the gray-headed husband to
interfere in what he considered strictly his
own business, and the discussion becoming
somewhat animated, the old man finally
"let the cat out Of the bag, >, by Informing
the lover that his intended was bis wife, in
fact, and warning him not to repeat bis
attentions
As may be imagined the announcement
took the lover by surprise, and he imme-
diately called upon the mother of the
young wife, and was utterly astonished to
learn that she knew nothing of the mar
riage, the first intimation she had of such
an occurrence coming from him. This
knowledge of her daughters marriage
came upon the mother like the shock of
an earthquake. The girl was forthwith
summoned and confessed all, and after her
mother had pictured to her the rashness
of the step she had taken, the great sacri-
fee she had made, and the pain she
would cause her relatives, the child-wife
repented and expressed her willingness to
assist all efforts that might be made to
animal the marriage contract. She stated
that since they were married they had &C.
cupied separate sleeping apartments. The
parties still reside in the same house, but
since the discovery of the marriage there
has very naturally been much trouble and
confusion. The husband admits the mar
riage, and says that since the ceremony
took place they have at times, lived to.
getber as husband and wife.
The mother and daughter are very well
connected, and their relatives and friends
express the greatest contempt for the man
whohas wrecked the happiness Of the family
The child was dazzled by the castles in the
air that f1oated in imagination before her,
after listening to the tales of love and wealth |
that were repeated to her by the old man,
and with childless simplicity, easily fell q
victim to his Vaccinations. She is sorrow-
full for what has occurred, and can now |
realize the extent of her folly, which has |
made her the wife of scbeming old man.
The mother, however, is not too severely
punished for the want of watchfulness
which favored the scheme. Legal pro-
ceedings are in contemplation, but have |
not yet been commenced. Attempts at |
reconciliation will doubtless be made, but |
it is thought without effect A criminal |
action against the man will probably be
instituted for bis misrepresentation Of the
girls age, (Which offense is punishable by
heavy fine,) and a petition may be sent
to the Supreme Judicial Court tor decree
to set aside and annul the marriage under
the peculiar circumstances in which it
took place. Some of the circumstances in
relation to former marriage of this man
have been heretofore published, and Great
ed considerable talk at the time.
Murder at Cairo.