Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-01-10
New York Sensations.

New York has had two first-class sensa-
tions during the past week, of the harmless
kind, each of which pointed to the code
of honor as the only appropriate method of
adjustment. One has clearly ended in a
joke, and in respect to the other, it doth not
yet appear what the end will be.
The first was the Barlow-Root affair
General Francis G. Barlow, late attorney
general of New York, and prominent among
the late visitors to Florida, on the one part,
and Mr.. Elihu Root, New York city
lawyer, on the second part. Both these legal
gentleman were engaged, on opposite sides,
in suit, and General Barlow sent Mr. Root
brief, requesting its return. This Mr.. Root
declined to do, having, it is said, added
number of private notes to the document.
A formal note was then written by General
Barlow, oouched in legal terms, demanding
the return of the brief. Mr.. Roots only
reply was a note, imploring the General, in
terms specific II not polite not to make a
fool of himself. General Barlow then took
Ms ltll dSdll anu NlOtt duOilltl ltlNtIf lll-
tended as joke, but which the timorous
Mr.. Root took in terrible earnest and inter
preted as dreadful invitation to mortal
combat, the terms of which were not only
bloody, but barbarous. The fierce letter
passed through several hands until il came
to Judge Davis, who took it back to its
author and the joke was explained. Blood
will not flow the reporters who had sensa-
ton on their hands are disappointed, and
Mr. Root breathes more freely
Sensation number two has lady in the
scene, and involves Mr.. James G.. Bennett,
the eminent journalist, and a Miss May, also
of New York, to whom he has been engaged
and was to have been married last week. It
seems that the engagement, which is under
stood to have existed for some time, has
been seriously threatened, if not ruptured,
at sundry times by reason of the laxity of
Mr.. BENEFITS morals. Finally better un-
derstanding obtained-the bridal trosseau
was imported, and last week fixed upon for
the wedding, Immediately after which the
parties were to sail for Europe. But just
before the dawning of the happy day, the
evidence of Benefits recklessness became
overpowering, and the engagement was sud
denly and permanently ruptured-the par
ticulars of which will probably never be
known. Mr.. Bennett, however, testfes that
no blame rests on Miss May, and that she
was fully justified in the step she took.
But the father and brother of Miss May
took different view of Benefits part in the
affair. One of the latter waylad the recre-
ant sutton in the street, sadly cut his face
with raw-hide, and then violently knocked
him down, when outside parties sepa.
rated the belligerents. Mr.. Bennett, it is
said, has left the city, and a duel is conf
IDENTIFY predicted as the result. Young Ben.
nett inherited great wealth. and is said to
possess superior ability as journalist; but
he has always rode pretty high horse, and
and if he persists in sowing the wind, he
must expect to reap the whirlwind.
p. S.-A duel actually came off, Monday
afternoon, at Slaughter's station, Delaware
near the Maryland boundary, and Mr.. May
was seriously wounded. Mr.. Bennett arrived
at Philadelphia in the evening, and regis
tered at the Continental hotel, but he re
fuses to say word about the affair. The
success of the participants in keeping the
place of their meeting secret was perfect
and up to very late hour there were al
sorts of rumors about the affair. 1t is sale
that Benefits friends have combined to pre-
vent any possible legal visitation on him fol
his offense.