The New York herald., 1876-12-25
A ROMANCE on Two CONTINENTS.
The Story OF Marie Bonfanti's
Marriage.
WOMAN's SECRE EFT.

spectacle az Nlhos when lis gauzy attractions were
flashed before the eyes of the New YORK pubnc, a
danseusc who speedily favor with the manage
ment with tho thousands who admired the ballet
The simple upon the bills "Mle Marie Bon
iant and yet tho circumstances attendant upon the
change OF this name that OF Mrs. George j. Hon-
have yet been fully told. and it becomes
the province OF the HERALD 10 place the actual facts
before the public and to unfold the singular story OF
marriage which is the simple heart history OF
popular favorte. and lady whose position before the
world entities the history to a careful reading.
The recent developments in the suit against Mr..
George Hoffman Tor money advanced to his George,
when IN London, has brought before the public the
narrative OF that sons marriage with the danscuse and
the romantic character of the affair forms itself
Of the most interesting recitas.
FIRST MEETING
Notwithstanding the statements made OF young Mr.
Horman's acquantanceship with Bonianti during
her arst engagement in New York, the real facts in
the that their first meeting until long
after her hrst appearance and 1t was accidental. Be-
ing an invalid and having been ordered to tho South
for his health, young Mr. Hoffman had been sent to
Savannah, attended by servant, and alter a short
stay there route to New Orleans Mile. Bon
ianti, who under engagement to appear that
city, in company with elder sister, from whom
she inscparabc, travelling in palace which
had been secured for the special useef the party, bound
TO New Orleans to appear there In tho ballet. Young,
pretty. and speaking but few words in English, the
danscuse was annoyed and surprised to lind that
Montgomery, Ala, two young mon also bound to New
Orleans entered the These two young
Mr. George 7. Hoffman and friend.
Attracted by the black eyes and modest demeanor
OF the dancer Mr.. Holman attempted acquaintance
ship, after the knowledge of who the lady was had
been obtained FROM the reading Of the name upon
small leather travelling bag laying carelessy tho
seat in front OF the two ladies. THIS satchel was
plainly marked .Bonfanti" and, the lady herself
AYERS was for probably tho first time lott neglected
with the name exposed. Having a ta1r knowledge OF
Italian, acquired during a residence abroad, young
Hoffman addressed the ladies' their native tongue
this fact led TO the conversation and the acquaint
anceshp thus formed became the kcy note to his life
ana hers
arrived at New Orleans the young gentleman still
pursued his acquaintance. and became conldant OF
Bontanti's. and she became Interested in him He
represented that he was "alone in the world" pos
sessed OF large means, and when he learned that tho
danseuse. who had earned much money and had saved
1t during her professional career IN New York, had
been robbed Of all her savings by rascaliy Italian
agent but few weeks before, he gained hold upon
her affections ny his persistent attempts to mud the
unfaithiul agent
TO this end he employed the legal and detective
talent to be mad aud tic ireachcrous agent was dis
covered in CUBA, where no had gone with travelling
company but as he dod soon alter none Of the miss
ing government bonds banded him IN TIN bcx by
Bonfanti alter drawing them IRON the bank IN Wall
street. where they bad been deposited, were ever re-
covered.
!. THE ROMANCE BEGINS.
During all the stay in New Orleans Bonfanu and
young Mr.. Hoffman good irieuds--ovcrs, per-
haps, but not action, word or look passed between
them that the sister could object TO- The mu-
tua confidence OF the parties the sympathy oi their
unfortunate ana lonely lives and all the sbrewL meth
ods used gain the affections OF fair and trust
ing woman congpired to the growth Of the attachment
between favorte OF the ballet and her
palace car and the avowals OF love made TO the
lady remained true TO herself, with one hope vi a
future with the man she loved as the bright aim OF her
existence
This meeting at Montgomery was IN March, 1872
and after tho termination OF Boniant''s engagement
In New Orleans, she returned North TO Cincinnati Mr.
| Holman beng simply friend travelling with the
party and an agreement was made between them that
q marriage in her own country should be consum-
mated the actions Of both parties ling free from any
tant oil scandal.
man. then scarcely eighteen years OF age, sailed for
Europe on Juno D. agreeing with Bonanu that she
knowledge that his parents received OF mis- departure
was by letter addressed TO his mothcr written on
the steamer, and sent 10 her BY the pilot when ''od
shore" IL contained but few worcs Of adcu, n
simple s'God bless you, and that was all
TO HER PROMISE.
Still ignorant that young Hoffman wns not, as he
had alleged alone In the world, and following HIM AS
she would her destiny, the dnscusc sailed Tor Europe
and her lover who was in London awaited the arrival
OF the steamer that should bear TO him his promised
wife, Unable to reach the steamer at sea except Dy
brlDng the pilot the impatient lover adopted this
means OF meeting her. and, paying the pilot 500 Tor
the privilege he cruised oil the coast IN the pilot boat
and Tar out Of the harbor Of Queenstown boarded the
vessel and met her. III as he was, worn out ANXIOUS
AMI, Bontanti expresses IT. 'paie as ghost. but
happy and glad to meet me. ("
! Proceeding to Paris they married. according
to the Roman Catholic ceremony, on August 20, and
returned TO England, whers Bonfanti fulfilled pro-
fessona engagements IN Manchester and other places
they at one time lived in poor apartments n Lon
DOM she became Ill and they proceeded to Como,
Switzerland where, on July Ia, 1878, their child
born-the child which Is now in tho care oil MIS-
Ho1man's tBonant) sister
During this time. knowing that young George
In Europe, and knowing nothing OF his Whereabouts,
| his brother, who had business in England. sought
Mr. pulcson, OF the hrm OF McCulloch Co., bankers
Young Hoffman had mado friends rapidly. he was
Of good address, well educated, and accustomed 10
moving in the higher circles Of society. He became
intimate with Mr. Pueson, who gave him material
assistance Whenever required, visited Mr. Pulcson's
house. and yet, with all he coincidence between them,
the fact Of bis marriage with Bonfanti was carefully
concealed.
AS may be Judged from the letter TO Mr.. Puleson,
already published in the HERALD IN the report OF the
case in Brooklyn, there acknowed dgnent Of his
actual situation, and the money obtained for the al
legged purpose Of to break Oh connections
with person not named was, in reality, used Tor the
support OF himself ana mis- wife, who was living, with
her child, lar away from London
AGAIN IN NEW YORK.
After making arrungem ent 10 return home, which
ke did, in company with his brother, Mr. Puleson
parting with his friend with the understanding that
he was welcome TO the loan made him. could have
ore, needed, and with the understanding that the
Indebtedness should be repaid only at such time as he
could do SO. and that tfe draft given IN ucknowedg
mcnt should be held until that time came, the wan
dercr returned TO New York. and II was not until some
time after that Mrs Hoffman again crossed the sea and
joined her husband In this city, leaving her child
care OF her sister
CoScEALlN0 THE MARRIAGE
Devotcdy attached ~ her husband, and willing 10
sacrince anything for his love, the young vile anu
mother followed her profession, Dir. Hoffman residing
with her when n New York and attending her reg
ularly TO the theatre still leading his family 10 be-
licvc that the acquaintance SIMPLY OF the or
binary attachments, common enough, a. the world
gocs, ana yet binding hs vile to secrecy until sucn
he willing TO acknowledge the marriage
and present 10 his parents the woman who had made
his watward ne happy--to whom he could always
cling as a guardian OF his peace ana comfort
The iaut oil concca.ment was not ccDsurabe In
every way, for, petted son. he feared dlspicasurc
and when al last stricken with sickness aud worn out
win hc was Ia fat ther,