Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-08
MAY AND DEoEMRER-A MAN OF SIXTY
lNVEIGLES A GIRL OF FIFTEEN
INTO MARRIAGE


The Boston Traveller says We have recently
been made acquainted with the particulars of Q
transaction that is creating considerable excite
ment at the South End. man, whose reputa-
tlon has been very bad reformed, and has been
living quietly in 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 very interesting and intelligent daughter.
between fifteen and sixteen years of age and
unknown to the mother, the hoary sinner has
been making love to her, 1t is alleged that he
talked pretty freely to her about his wealth,
urging her to marry him, and telling her
il she did 80 she would have nothing to do but
live a life OF Incidence and ease, enjoying the
benefit of his property. Through these induce
ments, and the expectation Of coming in possess
sion OF the immense estate said to be owned by
him, the girl consented to become his wife. He
then visited the city registrar and falsely repre-
senting that the girl was over eighteen years of
age, obtained license of marriage, with which
the couple clandestinely visited clergyman,
who united them in marriage. This agreeable
little ceremony as the old man doubtless
thought it-having been performed, they re-
turned to the residence of the mother it having
been agreed by the couple that for while the
marriage should be kept from everybody, with
the exception, of course, of the registrar, the
clergyman, and the necessary witnesses. Two
or three weeks afterwards young man return-
ed from the war, who had previously been pay
ing attention to the young miss, and it was
understood that they were engaged to each oth-
er. AS heretofore he visited the house of his
betrothed, and resumed his courtship; and
room in the dwelling was assigned to him by
the mother. On the second day after his reap
pearance on the scene, the old man went up to
his room, desired an explanation Of his conduct
and made an inquiry as to his future 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 be-
coming somewhat animated the old man finally
let the "cat out of the bag by informing the
lover that his intended was his wife, in fact,
and warning him not to repeat his attentions
AS may be imagined, this announcement took
the lover by surprise, and he Immediately called
on the mother Of the young oye, and was ut
terly astonished to find that she knew nothing
Of the marriage, the first lntimation she had of
such an occurrence coming from him. This
knowledge of her daughters marriage came up
on 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 rashRess Of the step she had taken, the great
sacrifice 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 aunu the marriage con-
tract She stated that since they were married
they had occupied 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 confu-
sion. The husband admits the marriage and
says that since the ceremony took place they
have, at times, lived together as husband and
wife. The mother and daughter are very we'll
connected and their relatives and friends express
the greatest contempt for the man who has
wrecked the happiness of the family. The
child was dazzled by the castles in the air that
hoated IN imagination before her, after listening
to the tales Of wealth and love that repeat
ed to her by the old man, and, with childish
simplicity, easily fell victim to his machina-
tions. She is sorrowful for what has occurred,
and can now realize the extent of her folly,
man. The mother, however, is not too severely
punished for her want of watchfulness which
favored the scheme. Legal proceedings are in
contemplation, but have not yet been commenced.
Attempts at reconciliation will doubtless be
made, but il is thought without effect. a Grim
inal action against the man will probably be in
stituted for his Misrepresentation of the girls
age (which offence is punishable by heavy fne),
and petition may be sent up to the Supreme
Judicial Court for decree to set aside and an
null the marriage under the peculiar clrcum-
stances in which it took place. Some Of the
circumstances in relation to former marriage
Of this man have been heretofore published,
and created considerable talk at the time.