Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-07-28

mann 1oDB III 1nlIauelph1A after me Dlrtn
of his daughter Ellen. or Nellie. He had
been very successful in business, aud
finally concluded to retire, which he did,
purchasing 10 rely place about mile this
side Of COlshohockeU, at II spot called
Gulf Mills. where, with his family growing
up arouQd him, he settled down to pass
the closing hours of his life amid the syi-
van scenery of our beautiful SchuyikIlls;
banks. Or all the children his daug liter
Nellie was his idol. He lavished every at
tentton up. n her that money could con-
mand. Especial pains were taken with
her education, and she spent considera-
bic time at Bi-hop DOaLe's seminary 10
Burlington, n. j. And now the real inter
est Of our story commences. Nellie has
grown up under our pencil into beautiful
womanhood, and her mature character is
beginning to determine itself. The scene
is the Gulf Mills House, and the time is
about twenty-five years ago. By the uni
versa4svoice of those who knew her at that
time she was certainly most lovely girl
About twenty years OF age, of slender and
graceful yet queenly bearing, with magni-
ficent Jet black hair of unusual length, dark
Oyes and fair compleXion~-such VAS her
ply steal beauty. But those who knew her
we'll say that was the least of her attrac
tions. It was rather her engaging manner,
her winning ways, her dashiDg. inspiring
disposition that bound captive at the char
wteel of Cupid SO many of her male
acquaintance.
LOVELY WOMAN FOND OF DRESS.
It was about this time that she began to
develop passion that has ever since been
coordinate with her, and that was the de-
sire to dress magnifcenly. Her father
spared no expense to crafty her slightest
within, and gave her money enough to
c!othe duchess. AS q consequence, there
was no more regular attendant at the then
fashiC nable bazaE rs of our city than Miss
Nugent, whose carriage got to be familiar
ly known, no doubt to the statesmen with
ia. AS we have said, her father allowed
her to carry the purse Of a duchess, aud,
consequently, the reader can Judge of his
surprise when out-ide balls that had been
contracted by his daughter to the amount
of Thousands of dollars werc sent in to him
for settlement, and all this running into
debt had taken place in a comparative y
short time, aud without the slightest pre-
monitory intelligence. Where bad the
money gone? Hardly upon herself, since,
Eathough always elegantly attired in ODE
dienee 10 fashions latest mandate, this
debt exceSs was too absardIy large to be
answered for on the ground Of personal
expenditOn. Bat a little iLvtsti9ation
showed. 1t was found that this money
had been expended for laces, silks. jewel
~, &C., which were lavished with an i'm
peral hand es presents upon her young
friends. This was certainly little eccen-
trIc, AM quite enough to cause the eye
brow TO raise. Beautiful young ladies do
not generally run their fathers into debt
simply TO give away Unfortunately cost
~ gifts. But something more strange was
yet to come. The debts were paid by the
father, and the current of events drifted
along towards the most remarkab fea-
ture of this remarkable woman's life.
AS we have intimated, and as may natur-
ally be supposed, Miss Nellie was the bril-
liant centre of large circle of people of
the best class in that vicinity. So that
when, shortly after, each aud all of them
received an invitation to the marriage of
that young lady you may be sure it create d
some little STIR Of excitement. In the first
place it was SO enlitely unexpected that it
almost took away the peoples breath, and
secondly, what Caused the most surpri, g
vas that the happy man had not been Sc
lected from the large number of country
gallantS OF wealth and position who con-
stantly surrounded her, but was a MIR.
Williamson, Of the city, who was but a
casual visitor, and whose matrimonial at
tentiOns had not been suspected in the
least. 1t appears, also, that he had been
50 indiscreet and impolite as not even to
have spoken to MIR. Nugent about it, and
knowing the character Of that old-time
gentleman, we are somewhat surprised
that the marriage was allowed to go on
did We not also know that whatever his
daughter Nellie had set her heart upon &C.
comprising she could most certainly do,
especially where the fathers consent was
only to be gained.
A WEDDING FEAST BUT NO BRIDEGROOM
Well, q. length the suspicious hour
rolled round, and all the invited guests as
semnled at the Nugent mansion to witness
the marriage Of the beauty. Great prepa-
ratioDs had been made for the event. Mr..
Nugent was determined that the daughter
who was queen Of his heart should be
mated in regal manner. Never had the
young girl looked so lovely as did the bride,
seated IN her satin and lace, with her at
tendant maids about her, and waiting,
with the love-light in her eyes, for the
happy groom. Ii was now nearly the hour
for tbs ceremony, and still he had not
come. "Where is Mr.. Williamson ?" end
why don't he come ?" were now fire.
qaently asked by those who were present.
Ihe hour at which the nuptial knot was to
have been tied struck with a dismal clang
and yet no bridegroom. The minister was
there with book ard gown, the guests were
there. the beautiful bride was there, and
everything was waiting for the appearance
OF the tardy gentleman from the city. The
fathers brow began to darken, and the
brides cheeks to pale. Another dismal
hour wore away, and its death-knell was
tolled by the clock, and still no groom.
Another hour and still no groom. Posi-
bly, he may have met with an accident let
messengers be tent." 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
flew away on wings of lead until the
messengers returned. who, instead of
bringing with them Mr.. Williamson, or
announcing at once some reasonable cause
for his non appearance, beckoned the faith
er Cysteri0usly apart, and whispered in
his ear. The news could not be kept
secret, and in moment il was known.
Mr.. Williamson had not contracted the
marriage, and knew nothing about it.
Slowly and sadly, as if from a funeral, the
guests departed. glancing askantly at the
bride. who sat weeping before them, and
shaking their heads significantly. This
| was certainly the maddest freak that it is