Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-10-04
Romance in washington-An Army officer
in Bad Scrape.

A few nights since an army officer,
under the rank Of Captain, was standing
in front Of one Of our city hotels, deeply
meditating on something only known to
himself, when he was addressed by a
colored individual who asked il that was
Captain G. Upon the Captain answering
in the affirmative, he was informed by
the gentleman that there was q person in
the shape of female 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 Cupid's bow,
and that he had fixed that very night to
ask that same question which so many
have asked, viz: a" Will you have me p
But still he was ready for some romance
if it came in his way. He accordingly
followed the dark individual to the corner
above, and there saw lady deeply
veiled, so that not particle of her face
cou d be seen.
When he came up she asked him TO
follow her, and led the way TO a public
square, where she informed him that if
he would be willing to be blndiolded
and led some little distance he would
meet the lady he intended to propose to
that night, and, furthermore, minister
would be in attendance, ready to pro-
nounce them one and inseparable. Now
the Captain had fixed himself all up for
the occasion, so there was no difficulty
in his dress or looks, though he did not
like the blindfolding part; but he finally
aou,antad opd N da;nt,, l;ttIa ha dlxa,-
chief was placed over his eyes sweetly
scented and worked all over His fair
pilot then took his arm and escorted him
around corners, and finally stopped at
neat little house, rang bell, and the
next moment the captain was in the
presence of large company there
assembled, he thought, to see the we'd
ding. When the handkerchief was re-
moved from his eyes, he found himself
the center of all eyes.
At one end of the room (which we will
state was clergyman's house) was
minister all ready to do his part of the
arrangement. In a few moments the
door was opened, and in came the bride
elect, all dressed for the occasion, but
with a heavy mask on, which she in
formed the captain would be removed as
soon as he had promised to love, honor
and keep her for better or worse. " They
stood up, the captain all anxiety, and
the minister commenced The captain
made his VOWS, and when the lady was
abont to do the same, she removed her
mask and said to the astonished and
mortified groom, John, / could not let
you have another 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 near; but she having heard of the
attentions he had been paying to the
lady in question, had come on and ar.
ranged the plan which was carried out
In another moment in rushed little
boy, crying Papa, papa"
The captain, who had come so near doing
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 amaze
ment 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 a carriage with his wife and
child.
Moral-Gentlemen, never try to marry
q second time until you are sure your
irst wife is gone Washington Union.