The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-04-21
APPALLING CATASTROPHE.
LAST HOURS OF A SINGLE GENTLEMAN
CALMLY MEETS HIS FATE

CALMLY MEETS HIS FATE.
Yesterday morning, at II o'clock precisely,
an unfortunate young man, Charles Angus
tus Pipkin, suffered the extreme penalty of
infatuation by eXpiating his attachment to
j Clara Amelia, in front OF the altar railing of
st. Barnaby's Church.
HISTORY OF THE CRIMINAL.
All our citizens who were present at the
pic mic given in Mantua, some two years ago,
will recollect that Augustus was then intro
duced to Clara, and Immediately began to
pay her particular attentions. From that
period their intimacy dates, and it was con-
| tinued until it ended at last in the painful
catastrophe of this morning.
Poor Pipkin had nearly attained his twen-
ty-eighth year, but there is every reason to
believe that, had not extreme impccuniosity
prevented, his single life would earlier have
come to an untimcly end.
A change for the better, however, occurred
in his circumstances, and Clara's friends
were induced to sanction his addresses, and
thus became accessories to the awful calaml-
ty which has overthrown him in the hey-day
of his youth.
THE LAST HOURS.
The unhappy young man passed the last
night of his bachelor existence in his solitary
chamber. From >half-past eight to ten he
was busiiy engaged in writing letters. Short
ly after ten, his younger brother, Henry,
knocked at the door, when the doomed man
told him, in firm voice, to . come in.'
Upon being asked when he intended to
90 to bed, he replied, "not yet" The ques-
ton was then asked him, " how he thought
he would sleep;" to which his answer was
pretty we'll" He then expressed q desire
for cigar and glass of water, which were
given to him. His brother now demanded
OF him if he would ''want anything more
that night He said 6 nothing" in Il firm
voice.
His affectionate relative then rose to take
his leave, when the doomed man consider
ately advised him . to take care of himself"
At precisely one minute after seven the
next morning, the victim rose and promptly
dressed himself He had selfcontrol enough
to shave without the slightest injury, for not
single scratch appeared on his chin after
the operation. 1t would seem that he de
voted more than usual care to his toilette on
this occasion. The wrctched man was attir
ed in a light blue frock coat, with frosted
metal buttons and white waistcOat, and
nankin trowscrs, with patent leather boots.
! Having descended the stairs with Il quick
step, he entered the apartment where his
brother and Il few friends were waiting. Ee
shook hands cordially with all present, and
on being asked how he had slept, answered,
Very we'll; - and to the further demand as
to the state of his mind. he said he felt
happy" One of the party having suggested
that it would be we'll to take = something
before the melancholy ceremony, he eNclainl-
ed with much emphasis, Deciledly."-
Breakfast was accordingly served, and the
poor fellow ate the whole of il roll, slice of
toast, two sausages, and three eggs, washing
the whole down with two large cups of cof-
fee. In reply to expressions OF astonishment
on the part of the company, he said that - lie
never felt better in his life
Having inquired the time, and ascertained
that it was ten minutes of eleven. he remark
ed that = it would soon be over" His brother
then asked if he could do anything more for
him. when he said he should like to have
glass OF ale. Putting it to his lips, he re
marked, heres LUCK" and drank it with
satisfaction.
The fatal moment now approaching he
devoted the remainder of his time in dis
tributing among his friends those articles
which he would no longer want. To one he
gave his cigar case, to another his tobacco
stopper and he charged his brother Henry
with the care of his latch key, with instruc-
tions TO deliver it to his landlady with due
soemnity
The clock at length struck eleven, anl he
was informed that cab was at the door
He merely said, - l am ready and was con-
Quoted to the vehicle. Arriving at the trag-
lS'll StOG, StlolC NlSlttN lOOh tllCC, "nSh
they were joined by the lady, with her
friends. Little was said on either side, but
Clara, with customary decorum, shed tears.
Pipkin endeavored to preserve compoSure
but a slight twitching of his mouth and eye
brows proclaimed his inward agitation. The
victim now walked side by side with Clara,
with firm step to the altar. He surveyed
the imposing preparations with calmness,
and gazcd unmoved ON the clergyman, who
waitp1 hphin1 tho roiiinr
FINAL SCENE.
The prcliminaries being gone through
with. an d the prescribed melancholy formal
tiles finished the usual question was put,
g Wilt thou have this woman to be thy we'd
Cled wife 2" To which the miserable youth
replied in a distinct voice, II will" He
then put the fatal ring on Clara's finger, the
hymcnial moose was adjusted, and the poor
fellow was launched into matrimony.
The constitutional Union men of Virginia,
speak of holding State Convention, in AL
exanCria, next month. A correspondent in
forms us that nothing definite has yet been
determined on, though he inclines to the
opinion that the meeting will take place, as
most of the leading Union men in the State
have been written to on the subject. Until
Congress marks out some definite line OF pol
icy, for the guidance of parties, we do not
see how parties are to he formed in the
South on any other principles than for or
against the President. Thus far, Congress
has given no encoura cement to Union senti-
ment in the South, and until it shows de-
termination to do so it can expect to find
very few supporters in this section.-Rich-
mOnd Republic.
THE REVENUE TAX ON PRINTING MATERI-
ALs.-The Ways and Means Committee have
decided to report in favor of the repeal Of
the revenue tax on printing materials, such
as paper, ink and type, together with the
materials which enter into their compost
ton. The association of Western printers
and publishers have been urging upon the
committee the request that soda ash, wire
game, bleaching powder, felting, cloth and
materials used in the manufacture of paper
shall be put on the free list that the present
duty OF twenty per cent. on unsized paper
shall be reduced to not exceeding six per
cent. Thoy hold that cheaper paper will in
crease the demand for that article The
committee is disposed to favorably consider
this last suggestion, as it is believed the rev.
,04t