The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-23
A Romantic Story.
A True Story Of Life In New York.

A NEW YORK paper tells the following
IA remarkable story of the doings of
Alfred Eugene Lagrave, man who has
moved in the best society in that city.
While the business transactions of this
man were of an extraordinary character
and on an extensive scale, it was as socie-
ty man that he reached the limit of his
greatest power. The story of his life is a
romance, and the history of his marriages,
while it stamps him as the possessor of ex-
traordinary command over the sex, reveals
him as a man of exquisite and devilish
cruelty. With an attractive exterior, his
heart was of iron, and his acts those Of a
fend.
Many in New York were acquainted with
the Beals family. Mr.. Beals, who furnish
ed the granite for the Capitol extension, is
dead. Before coming to New York the
Beals were very respectable family, living
in comfortable circumstances in Maine.
While there Mr.. Beals discovered the de-
posit of Granite on Shelter Island. 1t
proved the best in the country, and there
was great demand for it.
From moderate affiuence the family
sprang to immense wealth. After the ac-
quirement of an enormous fortune they
moved to New ork, and bought an elegant
house in twenty-third street, and there they
lived in sumptuous style. They had three
daughters, all beautiful, and all with good
mental endowments. All the fashionables
envied them. Circumstances compelled
Mrs. Beals to seek divorce from her hus-
band, which she obtained. She afterward
married Mr.. William Nickel, the wedding
being solemnized with eclat in Calvary
church. This marriage proved very hap
py one. Despite their disparity in years,
the couple were like lovers for the few years
that Mr.. Nickel lived.
After their marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Mick
ell, with the Misses Beals, made the tour
to Niagara, the Lakes and Saratoga.
When returning from Saratoga they met
Lagrave. He saw and admired Miss Evelyn
Beals, the second daughter who was then
about seventeen years of age. She was
woman Of much more than ordinary at
tractiveness Neither blonde or brunette,
her complexion was clear and bright, and
red healthy blood shone through her cheeks.
She had profusion of beautiful dark hair,
charming eyes, and delicate features. She
was an intelligent and refined woman men,
tally, and she impressed all who met heI
with her great beauty and dashing grace
After the Beals family returned to New
York, Lagraye became a visitor at the
Twenty-third street mansion. The family
was living in magnificent style.
Lagrave was about five feet seven inches
in height rather slenderly built, but 6
straight, strong, virile-looking man. He
was of dark, almost olive complexion, hand
some, regular features and fine, intcllec
tual head and forehead. His hair wal
black or very dark brown, and his nous
tache was Of the same color. He had. eyel
such as are rarely met; dark brown, large
and wonderfully expressive, and with Ions
black lashes. His voice was clear, sonOroul
and pleasant to hear. He was apparentl,
well educated, used excellent English
and conversed as fuenuy in French. Ii
department he was gentle and courteous
always in good taste, never fiippant, and in
clined to be grave and quiet. He dressed
with excellent judgment, and whilehe wor
the best fabrics, and WAS never fiashy, ther
was about him just enough of the natty h
make him attractive. He talked little, bu
his manners were peculiarly agreeable.
Evelyn Beals was especially pleased will
him, and Lagrave lost no time in paying hi
addresses to her. Hs saw at glance tn
wealth by which she was surrounded