The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-08-02

away the. peoples breath, aRd seconoly,
what caused the most surprise was that
the happy man had not been selected
from the large number Of country gall
lants Of wealth and position who con-
stautly surrounded her, but was a Mr..
Williamson, of the city, who was but a
casual visitor, and whose matrimonial
attentions had not been suspected in the
least. 1t appears, also, that he had been
so indiscreet and impolite as not even to
have spoken to MIR. Nugeus about it,
and knowing the character of that old
time gentleman, We a,e somewhat sur.
prised that the marriage was allowed
to 90 on did we not also know that
whatever his daughter Nellie had set
her heart upon accomplishing she could
most certainly do, especially where the
fathers consent was only to be gained.
A WEDDING FEAST BUT NO BRIDEGROOM.
Well, at length, the auspicious hour
rolled round, and all the invited guests
assembled at the Nugent mansion to
witness the marriage of the beauty
Great preparations had been made for
the event. Mr.. Nugent was determined
that the daughter who was queen of his
heart should be mated in a regal
manner. Never had the young girl
looked SO lovely as did the bride, laced
in her satin and lace, with her attendant
maids, about her, aud waiting, with the
love-ligh in her eyes, for the happy
groom. 1t was now nearly the hour for
the ceremony, and still he had not
come. "Where is Mr. Williamson 2"
and "Why don't he Gomez" we're now
frequently asked by those who were
present. The hour at which the nuptial
knot was to have been tied stuck With
dismal clang and yet no bridegroom.
The minister was there with book and
gown, the guests were there, the beauti-
ful BRIDE was there, and everything was
waiting for the appearance of the tardy
gentleman from the city. The fathers
brow began to darkeu, and the brides
cheeks to pale. Another dismal hour
wore away, aud its death kuell was
to,ed by the clock, and still no groom.
Another hour and still no groom
"Possibly he may have met with an
accident let messengers be sent" And
messengers were sent in haste, while
the guests sat in silence, and the bride,
now thoroughly convinced that her lover
was false, raved and sobbed like one
mad. The minutes few away on wings
of lead uutil the messengers returned.
who, instead Of bringing with them Mr..
Williamson, or announcing at once some
reasonable cause for his non appearance,
backoned the father nysterously apart,
and whispered in his ear. The news
could not be kept secret, and in mo .
ment it was known Mr.. Williamson
had not contracted the marriage, and
knew nothing about it. Slowly aud
sadly, as if from funeral, the guests
departed, glauciug askautly at the bride,
who sat weeping before them, and
shaking their heads significantly. This
was ceria My the lnaddest freak that it
is possible for a young lady to commit,
aud the incident reads like a chapter
from Mrs. Southworth. Subsequent
investigation showed conclusively that
the marriage had not the slightest
foundation, so far as any intention Of
Mr Williamson was concerned, aud
taking this fact into consideration, it is
not ST, ,auge that people now began to
sneak mysteriously about the young
lady, and to intimate forcibly that some
thing was wrong in her head. This
bitter suspicion began now to shape
itself into the solemnity of a fact in the
mind of MIR. Nugeut, aud after careful
pondering Of the matter, it was resolved
to have Nellie removed to an asylum
tor the insane.
RUNAWAY MATCH.
As key to subsequent events, it is
to be presumed that she knew the in
tentions of her family at the time. 1t
wanted but day or two of the execu-
ticu of the asylum project, when one
morning it was found that the beautiful
bird had AoSn in the night from the
paterual nest. Bat in very little while
the father received Intelligence that his
daughter had eloped with young Lieu
tenant Harry ". Wharton, had pro
ceeded with him TO Philadelphia, had
been there married, aud that now, as
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry W. Wharton they
we're living at Jones Hotel, on Chestnut
street, above Sixth, just where The Office
Of the German Democrat now stands
This was almost as strange aud unac
eouutable movement as the burlesque
marriage, and caused great deal Of
comment. Although of acquaintance
there had been considerable between the
parties, of courtship there had been
little or none, aud, furthermore, at the
time of the elopement and marriage the
young lieutenant knew full we'll that his
lovely bride was intended by her friends
for temporary seclusion in mad
house. But the runaway couple bad
not been long from home until they re-
ceived assurances of forgiveness and re-
turned to the house at Gulf Mills. They
also for time lived at Norristown, and
in Philadelphia again It wasn't long
after marriage until Mrs. Wharton was
iu financial difficulties again, which
were again settled by her indulgent
father.
A LOVING WIFE.
After thia her husband. who was