Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-15
A CURIOUS MATRIMONIAL CUES



TION.
The San Jose (Cal.) Mercury contains
this singular story:
identity and fraud, or wilful or constrained
perverseness, recently occurred, and still
exists, in this county, which is deserving
of something more than a passing notice.
There resides with his mother in Santa
Clara, Charles w. Skies, young man of
good reputation, worthy and honest, but
Of humble circumstances in life. There also
resides in the same town, with her parents,
Miss Hattie Burnett, "a granddaughter of Gov.
Burnett, an estimable young lady of eigh-
teen, of fine accomplishments and unsullied
character. These young people, it is asser-
ted, formed an attachment for each other,
against the wishes of the girls parents, who
sought by various means to break the init
macy between them. Young Skies was pos
itiyely forbidden to see or speak to the girl
But everybody knows, who has arrived at
maturity, what such forbiddings amount to.
OF course he met her clandestinely-at least
it is so positively stated by those who
casually surprised them in their stolen inter
views. This state of affairs existed for several
months, until the 4th of September last, when
MI. C4hSS, dCSOHlbd!licu bN d young lduS
who gave her name as Hattie Burnett, called
at the law office of c. G. Stephens of this
city-an acquaintance of both parties-and
stated as their object in calling the intention
of being united in marriage. The lady re-
manned in conversation with Mr.. Stephens
who, by the way, asserts that he has
known Miss Burnett from infancy and
could not be deceived in her Identity
olo &,
license. He soon returned with his needed
instrument, Justice Stewart was called in,
and the parties were duly married. They
returned to Santa Clara, remained through
out the day at the young mans home and
then the lady went to her own home. Now
comes in the mystery, romance, or what
you may call it of the whole affair.
The fact of the marriage leaked out-for
Skies made no secret of it-and soon reach
ed the ears Of the girls parents. They asked
her if it was true. She said
no, and seemed greatly sur
prised at the information. Skies claimed that
she was his wife; and the girl was brought
to confront him in the presence of Mr.. Ste
phens. Here she denied everything relatingto
the alleged marriage-had only known Skies
as a passing acquaintance-never intended
to marry him-the whole thing was fraud
some woman bearing resemblance to
her had been procured to personate her, etc.
And in this she firmly persists at the present
time. The parents believe the girl
the public, mostly, sympathize with Skies.
Some think her fears have been wrought
upon until she dare not own the truth. 1t
is certainly queer case. The parents and
all parties are most worthy people.
''THE NINE OF DIAMONDS
The following reasons are given why the
nine of diamonds is called the course of
Scotland"
In the distracted state of the country du-
ring the reign of Mary, a man, George
Campbell by name, attempted to steal the
crown out of Edinburgh castle. In this case
he was unsuccessful, but managed to abstract
nine valuable jewels, and escaped safely to
foreign shore. To replace these a heavy
tax was laid upon the country, which the
poor, oppressed people thought so great
grievance that they termed it the curse of
Scotland, and, until very recently, the card
itself bore the name of George Campbell in
the Highland. Another explanation relates
to the well-known massacre of Glencoe. The
mandate of this cruel deed was signed by the
eldest son of the Earl of Stair, who was at
the time secretary of State of Scotland.
The coat of arms belonging to this family
bears nine diamonds on its shield, and the
people, not daring to stigmatize the master
Of Stair as the curse Of Scotland, applied it
to his armorial bearings. And still another
explanation relates to the battle ofCuloden,
which extinguished the hopes of the Stuart
party, and was at the time considered a
i
who was known to have been a gambler, is
said to have carried pack Of cards in his
pocket, and when he had won the famous
field he took out the nine of diamonds and
wrote his account of the victory on it.
MORE than fifteen years ago a Chinaman
ora duotad of Nola Collapo NO1, v-a aro