The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-09-05
Il Sl5O,OOO Fee.

The son and heir of the late Edwin Stevens,
Mr. John u. Stevens, although he is possessor
of almost unlimited wealth, being worth some
S75OOO,OOO; has, until very lately, been most
unhappy man. He has been afflicted since his
birth with peculiar wen, which has increased
year by year until it covered large portion Of
his face and neck. 1t was most unpleasant
object, being covered with hair, and strange,
resembled an animal No man could see it
without shudder, and ladies have tainted at
the sight of it. OF course Mr.. Stevens felt the
aiiicton most keehly, and it bad, naturally
enough, most depressing ciloct upon his spir
its. What was his immense wealth to him p
ANY workman in his employ was more to be
euviedt than he. He become norose and almost
melancholy; society that he was exceedingly
fond of he studiously avoided, and, although
young man he became recluse. The best
physicians and surgeons of Europe were con
suited but they all said that to remove the wen
could but result in his death. Although his life
was so miserable still there was hope, and
he bore BRAY ely up against repeated disappoint-
ments. Deliverance came at last, ard a few
days ago an operation was performed which
has made him new man. DIR. William Park
er, OF New York city, had faith to believe that
the wen could be removed. He told Mr.. Ste
vens so, and the young man, grasping at the
straw promised Sl50,0O0 if be would perform
the operation successfully. He did SO, and has
cdIHeu JuS SFcIIdStlHS STdIlIUuCy dS Wcll DIS tue
money, of the young millionaire who is now
pronounced out of danger. The operation was
performed with electric knives, and it is said
that when the horrid tumor was removed, the
skin beneath was so sound and smooth as that
of any part of the body. Notwithstanding the
cloud that has hung over his whole life, the
young man has had his love affair, like the rest
of us. In early youth he was betrnthed to
little girl, the daughter of one of his fathers
dearest friends, who always loved him, aud
sorrowed his aliction. While the hateful
thing was upon him, it is said, MIR. Stevens
gave up all idea Of being married, but now that
it has been removed, we shall expect soon to
hear of a great wedding festivities at lioboken.
WIFE AUCTION IN ' vsfsihstGTNTa.-I uv rrrovvr
the Commonwealth commences with an auction
sae-not however, in store, but beneath the
green trees of jamestown, where probably the
most anxious and interested crowd of auction
habitues ever known in the history OF the world
were gathered. In a letter still to be seen dated
August 81, 1921 and directed to a worthy Colo
mist of that settlement, the writer begins by
saying:
awe send you a shipment of one widow aud
eleven maids, for wives of the people of Vir-
gina There hath been especial in the
choice of them, for there hath not one of them
been received but upon good recomm ndations.
In case they cannot be presently married, we
desire that they may be put with several house
holders that have wives until they can be pro
vided with husbands
But the writer of this epistle had little reason
that any of the "madens faire" would be left
over. The archives contain evidence to prove
that these first cargoes of young ladies were put
up at auction and sold for one hundred and
twenty pounds of tobacco each, and it was or
dered that this debt should have precedence Of
all others. The solitary zone widow" went
along with the others, for they could not be par
ticular in those days. The good minister of the
colony no doubt had busy time that day. He
did not mention any fees, nor did the bride.
grooms think of rendering any. All was joy
and gladness; no storms ahead no inquisitive
clerk to stand and say, "Here's the license, fork
over that dollar" Nothing of the sort. From
ginia are descended, and we'll may auctions be
popular here-Richmond ( Va.) Whiq.