The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-03-29
A YOUNG LORD In LIMBO.
Tho Fnvorite Of Buffalo Society Brought
Grief.--Particuinrs Of the Case.

Grief..-Particulnrs Of the Case.
For something over a month, says the
Buffalo Courier, q young lEnglishman,
named Hugh Courtney, aged twenty
three, supposed to be one of the descend
ants Of titled family 'across the water"
he having represented himself as the
son of the Earl of Devonshire, has been
cutting quite swell in fashionable cir
cles hereabouts. To all appearances he
was well supplied with filthy lucre; his
attire was "loud," of the very latest
fashionable. cut and decidedly English.
He changed his clothes several times
day, was petted and courted in society
circles, for ga lord, you KNOW" is a
novelty here and his acquaintance not to
be sighted. He was believed to be the
soul Of honor, of course. His intense
aristocratic feelings, upon his first ap-
pearance, led him to decline being In
Produced to some Of our first families,
"because they sold leather" but subse-
uuent deliberations caused him to change
his mind. He boarded at the Tiff
House, called for the best the house
afforded, drank costly wines, smoked
expensive cigars-in fact INDUCED his
extravagant tastes and habits to the full
est extent. But alas for the uncertain
ties of human enjoyment One night
found him the inmate of prison cell,
charged with defrauding the proprietor
of the Tiff House Of 1926, the amount
of his hotel bill contracted during bis
stay here. The particulars of the case,
as learned by our reporter, are, in sub
stance, that Courtney left England three
months ago for San Francisco, where, as
in Buffalo, he made himself conspicu-
GUS and popular smong the bon tom. A
little more than month ago he came
here and took up his quarters at the
Tiff House. He represented to Dr..
Tuthill that his funds had run short, but
he would soon receive remittance from
his father, the earl, and would make good
all Liabilities incurred. This was well
enough for the time being, but the same
excuse was presented each time he re-
ceived his bill, until it became too
stereotyped for human endurance, and
a warrant sworn out for his arrest, on
the charge above named, was placed in
the hands of officers, who waited upon
MIR. Courtney at the hotel and made
known their business, which, naturally
enough, put him in quite furry. His
actions and talk were more like those OF
an overgrown and inexperienced boy
than man.
Requesting few minutes time he ad-
dressed piteous appeal to well known
lady and gentleman, and handing it to
messenger instructed him to collect his
fee from the party to whom it was ad-
dressed, as he was possessed OF only
seven cents. The note was as follows:
DEAR - AND MISS --:-I am
locked up for not paying my bill at the
hotel. Will you be kind enough to come
and make it all right2 It is for not pay
ing my bill. I am in dreadful state of
mind, and, my dear Miss -, please do
persuade the - to do something, or
+ shall have to lay here all night.
..,.... e. COURTNEY.
P. S.-H you could see me it would
be all right.
Mr.. Courtney was then conveyed to
the station and locked up. Shortly af-
ter his incarceration the messenger boy |
entered the station and said the commu-
nication was returned with o refusal to
pay his fee. A reporter, on learning of
the occurrence, paid visit to the prls-
oner in his cell and found him feeling
very badly. He expressed the opinion
that this was "blarsted country, where
q man must live on money, while at 'ome,
you know, I could live on me own
name" He remarked: "Tm very ex-
travagant, very extravagant, you know.
Like to spend lots of money and have a
jolly gooi time, you know" He didn't
appear to be having q very good time
Just then, though. He was very ANXIOUS
that his name should not appear in
print, and refused point blank to give
any information beyond the statement
that his people were wealthy and Lived
in the south of England, and that he
had money enough when he came here
to pA home had he started Immediately
on his journey. He had no business or
professional calling; hehad served some
time as an officer in the British service
and had been travelling for pleasure.
He intimated that "ittle unpleasant
ness had occurred in the family prior
to his departure from home and at
tributed his misfortune entirely to the
"failure of Papa, you know" to make
remittances in response to drafts he had
made upon him. He is hopeful that
some Of The wealthy acquaintance ne
has made here will come forward and
assist him in his dilemma until word can
be sent to his parents.