, 1875-06-26
FREAKS OF FORTUNE.

About six years ago Maryland
left Senator in Washington
man of quiet demeanor, and one
who in his own State was foremost
in family connections and afflu-
ence. He brought with him to
the nations capital, among others
of his family, beautiful daugh-
ter. At the same time there
figured in Washington society a
young man of fine presence, of
cultivated manners. His father
was the eotemporary and friend
of the great spirits who figured in
the Government more than a quar-
ter of a century ago, and the mag
nifcence of his entertainments
is yet fresh at the capital. The
father died, and about four years
ago the son became enamored of
the daughter of the Maryland Sen,
stor. The acquaintance soon rip
ened into affection. The richest
products of art in costly jewels
we're bestowed upon the objects
of his hearts desire. The day for
the nuptials arrived. In front of
the capital lay a steamer, profuse-
ly decorated with the flags of all
nations. A band of music sat on
the deck discoursiDg sweet strains.
At an early hour the groom attend
ed by large retinue of friends,
embarked upon the steamer and
were soon passing down the broad
waters of the Potomac. Upon ap-
preaching the home of his betroth-
ed, which looked out upon the
placid waters of the bay, salutes
were fred, flags waved, and swell.
ing sounds of music carried upon
the gentle air announced the com
ling of thu groom. who. with his
prihcely retinpe, disembarked and
marched to the mansion, followed
by hundreds of the inhabitants.
Preparations were made for the
nuptal ceremony. Beautiful wo-
men with rich toilets, and courtly
gentlemen, assembled in the main
hall of the mansion. The formu-
las Of religion and good morals
were contaminated, and the two
loving hearts were made one.
The scene is represented by an
eyewitness to have been sugges-
tive of the Court of an oriental
potentate. The bride and groom
left to enjoy the fruits of love and
a protracted honeymoon amid the
classic surroundings of the Old
World. There they travelled in
state. They were surrounded by
courtiers and lsckeys and servants
did their bidding. Frequently
the groom and his oourtiers were
mistaken for q royal party, and
we're rendered unusual honors.
There was no wish which the groom
was not ready to satisfy. The
specialties of every principality
and power in Europe were laid at
the feet of the bride. They re-
turned to the capital Of their own
land where they continued their
sumptuous style Of living.
But three years had elapsed
since the nuptial festivities on the
shores of the Chesapeake. The
wealth of Egypt's Khedive would
hardly have perpetuated such a
round of extravaganza. The cry
Of the creditor was soon heard at
the door. The young groom was
brought to realizing sense of his
folly. He accused his bride Of
excesses and indiscretions. Jeal-
ousy, also,added its scorpion sting
to the young mans anguish. The
fall was as rapid and no less mark
ed than the ascent. A few months
of domestic infelicity, few weeks
of despair and but a single instant
of action ended the career Of the
groom and blasted forever the
hopes of the bride. A corpse and
an empty vial told the tale of the
hero of this sad reality. The he
roine now sheltered beneath the
pa5ernal roof, doubtless often looks
out upon the ripping waves of the
Chesapeake to see in their bright
surface a reflection of the happy
scenes of her nuptial day. The
hammer of the auctioneer was the
last requiem of this blighted home.