Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-30
Nniun aud gispateE.
SATURDAY. MAY 40. lsss.
Largest Circulation in City and State.
A CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OF A
CONFIDENCE MAN. II

Gorgeous Bridal TrOsseau WAS IsuE
chased tu n Memphis Drygo0Is SGOr
The Finate
From the Memphis Avalanche, May *
Several months since gay, dashin.
yOung man, calling himself Willis n
Hawkins, and pnrporting to be from Ten
neasee, visited iourishing village ia NOrtl
Mississippi lie made liberal display o
money, had an elegant wardrobe, and ma
tHfaliy became the cyn0aure of the eyes o
manageable Young ladies, and the envy
Of less dazzling beaux. Through thC
medium Of letters and other document.
artfully displayed, il became noised abroad
that young Hawkins was the heir TO an i'm
meBse fortune. He seemed as intimate
with thousands Of dollars az other young
gentlemen with dimes, and had evidently
learned 10 l0ath gold and greenbaclgs from
ineessant and troublesome contact. Within
a week there was nobody like young Haw-
kinsi the eyes Of those whom even the pro-
speotive jingle of dollars could faseinate. He
Was toasted and feed until snrfeited. Bright
faces grew brighter in bis presence. Bright
eyes beamed with new pleasure when he
eondeaeended to smile upon their fair own
ems and has silly twaddle was drank in as
though sWeeteF than the music of the
spheres -Noquestions as 10 antecedenis were
asked. Such things are 40 Vulgar and old
iogy IN THE stage of refinement and the
virtues, He had said be was the son OF
6 Judge" Hawkins, of Nashville. and i'm
mensely rich. lie had said that his doat-
log father encouraged him 10 draw on him
for sums way mp in the numerals; and it
was simply impossible that one 20 charm
ing, so elegant, in whom were blended all
the manly graces and virtnes, conld de-
scend 10 vulgar falsehood.
Young Hawkins, though understood to
be on the lookout for an eligible matrimo-
NAL match, was not mercenary. He
acorned those who sell themselves for
money. The Goyernor's0 wealth and
bounty had placed him above sordid temp
tasions He lOnged for the companionship
Of some one who wonld live bat for him,
and whom he could love with an Eastern
devotion. Such blessing, in prospective,
was speedily found in a young lady of the
village. She was handsome, intelli-
gent, refined and--what rendered her
even more attractive in the eyes Of young
CrGsus, poor. There was an irresistible
charm IN the poverty, especially when in
tertwined with her varied accomplishments.
iTrue, il was understood that she possessed
few hundred-perhaps a tbousand--dol-
lars. But what was this TO Midas, who
turned everything he touched into gold
An engagement succeeded a brief court
ship; and one day last week Hawkins lelt
his betrothed, with the understanding that,
accompanied by an elder sister, she should
meet him in Memphis this week, where a
irOssedu, befitting the bride Of millionaire,
could be procured. The "Governor." with.
out seeing the prospective bride, had kind
ly, by letter, approved Of his sons choice.
said young Cr@sus, and intimated desire
that ten thousand dollars be expended on
the outfit, and a summers touring in En-
rope. The lady mOdestly suggested pur-
chasing the frossedu with Der own means.
He secuted the proposition, as il would
cost more than a thousand dollars. but
finally consented to permit her few hum
dred TO be appropriated 10 the general fund.
II was conhdingly entrusted to him, and
reluctantly-how reluctantly accepted.
On Monday Hawkins was introduced 10
one of the pToprietors Of an extensive Main
street drygoods establishment. He briefly
stated his business 10 be the purchase of a
wedding outfit for a young lady soon TO be-
come his bride. IL goods sufficiently fine
could be purchased, he should not proceed
TO New York. The lady would arrive on
Tuesday. He was assured that everything
desired-even the most costly fabrics
could be obtained, and that the dresses Of
the bride Conld be made as we'll here a. in
Gotham. Noung Hawkins was much re-
lieyed at this, and left 10 call again Tues
day he returned with the ladies, who were
soon literally immersed in moire antiques,
silks, satins, laCes and linens. Young
Hawkins looked on apprOvingly, and was
anxious only that everything selected
should be of the most costly fabrics. A
fan was objected 20 because worth only
twenty dollars. lie did not deem one
costing less than City dollars worthy to be
toyed by her fair hands OF air her wayy
ringlets. FidHeee was required 10 expend
one hundred dollars in lace handkerchief;
aud az for dresses, laces, ETC, etc, so thor
ough an overhauling Of shelves and boxes
had not been known for many a day.
The dress material was sent to a millinery
establishment near by, to be transformed
into bridal robes
Early in the day Hawkins took the mer-
chant aside and placed in his hands for
safe keeping, a package labelled $1,000
Willis n Hawkins" He was stranger,
and wanted nothing on credit. "YOu don't
know me, you know. Whenever the pur-
chases exceed that amount advise me-"
The merchants assured him that he should
be promptly advised. The ladies selecled
upwards Of a thousand dollars worth OF
goods, aud Hawkins obtained for his own
use about SO worth Of gentlemen's fur
nishing goods, which he carried away.
In the afternoon the merchants thought
II might be just probable that Young Haw-
kins was trihe too rich. Oriental mag
nihcence was not so often displayed these
times and besides il was not certain that
the healthy looking package contained
greenhaCks. 1t was also remembered that
it had been deposited simply in irnsL
Hawkins was quietly approached an6 in
formed that the house had a note 10 pay al
three O'Clock; il convenient, $500 on ac-
count would be acceptable Only too hap
by 10 pay that, or double the amount. In
short time il will he forthcoming. Time
hew-it is a way time has-but no Haw-
kins was borne on its wings. 10 was re-
solved 10 peep into the package. Peep No.
! revealed something resembling printed
paper Pep No. discovered $1,000 p
not exactly bat an old copy Of the Ara-
ldachei
"Swindled, by thunder" /" exclaimed the
merchant Selling a hat, he rushed into
the millinery establishment, and made a
few hurried explanations. Then followed
a sudden carrying Of bridal fabrics from
one store to the other. Fortunately, every
article was there, although two moire an
tique dress patterns had been spoiled for
future sale by cutting.
Before this development the ladies had
returned to their hotel, Hawkins was no.
where TO be iound. During the afternoon
the merchant sought the ladies, and stated
the facts az developed. The ladies, who
are known 10 he most worthy in every re-
gard. we're struck almost dumb 10y the rev.
elations The younger burst into tears,
and Cor several moments cried and wrung
her hands most piteously. After the first
paroxysm Of grief she spoke freely Of
Hawkins, recounting the story Of their
pourtship and betrOthal. She was poor and
dependent. He seemed superior to all
4. -. r.. N