The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-08-20
2itllmond G|ispattIl,
Neutrality-suspicious. 20, 1867.
THE CIRCULATION OF THE "DIS.
PATCH" IS LARGER THAN THE COM
BINEn CIRCULATION OF ALL THE
OTHER DAILY NEWSPAPERS OF THIS
CITY.
A Bit of Romance In Washington


y few nights since an army officer was
standing in front of one of our city hotels,
deeply meditating on something only
known to himself, when he was addresse d
by a colorcd individual, who inquired if
that was Captain C. Upon thecaptain's
answering in the affirmative he was in
formed by the gentleman of color that
there was person in the shape of fe-
male, who wished to see him, at the corner
above.
Now, we will say here that the brave
captain had been struck somewhere in the
region of the heart with an arrow from Gu
pid's bow, and that he had fixed that very
night to ask that same question which so
many have asked, viz, "Will you have
me!" but still he was ready for some ro-
nance if it came in the way. He accord
ingly followed the dark individual to the
corner above, and there saw lady deeply
veiled, SO that Rot particle of her face
could be seen.
When he came up she asked him to fol-
low her, and led the way to a public
square, where she informed him that if he
would be willing to be blindfoded and led
some little distance he would meet the
very lady he intended to propose to that
night; and, furthermore, minister would
be in attendance ready to pronounce them
one and inscparablc. Now, the captain had
fixed himself all up for the other occasion,
so there was no difficulty in his dress or
looks, though he did not like the blindfold-
ing part; he had finally consented, and q
dainty little handkerchief was placed over
his eyes, sweetly scented and worked all
over.
His fair pilot then took his arm and
escorted him around corners, up streets,
and finally stopped at a neat little house,
rang bell, and the next minute the cap
tain was in the presence Of large COM
pany there assembled, he thought, to see
tile wedding. When the handkerchief was
removed he found himself the centre Of
all eyes. At one end of the room (Which
we will state here was in clergyman's
house) was 4 minister all ready to do his
part Of the arrangement. In few mo-
ments the door was opened, and in came
the bride elect all dressed for the occa-
sion, but with heavy mask on, which she
informed the captain would be removed as
soon as he promised to love, honor, and
keep her for better or worse" &c.
They stood up, the captain ell anxiety,
aud the minister commenced. The captain
made his vows, and when the lady was
about to do the same, she removed her
mask, and said to the astoniShed and NOR
tilted groom, "John, could not let you
have another wife while was living" The
captain now looked down, and who should
it be but his wife, who he thought was out
West, and not dreaming that she was so
near; but she, having heard Of the attcn-
tion he had been paying to the lady in
question, had come on and arranged the
plan which was carried out. In another mo-
ment in rushed little, curlyheaded boy,
crying, /" Papa papa" The captain, who
had come so near doing something bad,
finding he could not get out Of the scrape,
gave in, and started away with his lawful
wife and little one but before doing so he
asked to see the fair conductor who
brought him to the house, and you can
imagine his amazement when the lady
stepped up and he found it to be the very
lady to whom he had intended to pop the
question that night. The curtain dropped
! here, and the last we saw of the captain
he was stepping into carriage with his
wife and child.