The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-17
The Bennett .Nay Atulr.
From the New York SUM-


y friend Of all parties concerned
furnishes the following version Of the
facts:
1t was during tho summer Of 1875
that Mr.. Bennett began to pay mark.
cd attentions to Miss May. She had
the scat of honor on the box
of his coach. She was the honor.
ed guest on board his yacht. The en-.
suing winter they were seen much
toyelllcr-0ut driving, at the theatre,
at receptions, 1T dinner parties, at the
~opera-and sOOn it was rumoreu they
were engaged to be married. The
match was regarded q brilliant one 10y
the young lady's friends, especially as
the young people seemed devoted to
each other. The friends Of Mr.. Ben
nett and his illusirious father were
equally pleased, though some who
were aware that the young gentlemen
had an e~rratic, impulsive, unfortunate
temperament, and had been several
times engaged, had their fears. 1t
was promised, however, that Mr.. Ben
nett was really most devoted to Miss
May, who is very charming young
lady, and the? hoped for the ocst.
Mr.. Bennett is not Il ladies' nan
He rather avoids ladies' society, find
ing more pleasure in that OF Scntlc-
men inclined, like himself, to polo,
yachting, and athletic sports. His
greatest fault, now SO generally
known that it is no longer Il secret,
was his liability at any moment to go
on a spree. Liquor gives many men Il
duel nature it 50 affects Mr.. Bennett,
intcnsifying his impulsivcncss, obsti-
macy, aud Scotch suspicion, and dead
rning the many noble qualities Of
head and heart which characterize
him when he is "himsclf." But it
had been some time since lie had been
ON Il spree he was so assiduous in his
attentions to his finance, so much in
terc>ted in his preparations for the in
PRODUCTION of polo ut Jerome Park, lie
was looking and conducting himself
generally so much for the better, that
all his friends began to hope, this
time, there would be a marriage.
1t was rumorcd that u date in May
had been fixed for the nuptials. Sud
denly as these events always occur,
and Just as he had sc often done be-
fore, the prospective groom went or
on one of his unfortunate sprees.
The preparations for the wedding were
promptly suspended.
The spree over, the unfortunate man
once more in the full possession Of his
really splendid faculties, was the pic
ture of rcmorse. His 1iaucee wrote, Of
fering to release him. He wrote
frankly, acknowledging that he did
not think himself worthy Of her, say
ing that, once married, her influence
over him would be all-powcrlul. or
course she relcntcd.
After last summers season of polo at
Jerome Park Mr.. Bennett went to
Newport, and started the game there.
lis bctrotilcd, her brother, and other
members of the family were his hon
orcd guests throughout the season ut
Newport. With the return to town in
the autumn came unlor of the arrl-
val from Paris of the wedding trOus-
seau, on which the customs officials
were said to have demanded duty to
the mount of $4,000. The nuptiais
were to be private. One day there
gathered in the May mansion a small
but select circle OF relatives and
friends, and there WAS Il fur young
bride arr&yci in her spotlcss white,
and there wasa Clergyman to make
the twain once; but there was no
bridegroom.
Another lettcrand another forgive
ncSs. The indignant father would
consent only on condition that the
groom should make IL marriage settle
ment.. The groom objected the laws
OF the State made sufficient provision.
Parental consent was finally given TO
the selection Of another date. y we'd
ding tour on the Continent was uccl-
dcd on. On the evening before the
day the old, unhappy story was repeat
ed, with agGravating circumstances.
When Mr.. Bennett left the house the
ladies were in tears. One OF the
brothers came in, found th"m crying,
and asked the cause. What followed
is now history.
There arc scores Of men in New
York WHO are ready TO 20 on MIR. Ben
bond as 4 man Of even IonihardN
courage. Recorder fiackctt is one of
them. Some years ago, he says, Bell
nett allowed him to shoot, at seven
PAGES, Il three cent piece, inserted in Il
from the top of his head. On
occasion Bennett invited him
to shout, ut the same distance the
from Il cigar in his mouth. He
stood both shots with perfect GOODNESS:
Another friend Of Mr.. Ecnnclt said
yesterday to Il SIM reporter:
There is 40 doubt that Mr.. Bennett
is sometimes excited 10y wine. but far
less 80 tlian is reported. From my
own persona! experience, once knew
him described us exceedingly drunk,
ut Il time on the previous day when !
had sat with him for Il couple Of hours
upon business. | have visited
his Residence about forty times during
the past year for business purposes,
and have always found him clear
headed, and devoid of any trace Of
effects. He is q man Of re-
mental power, and Of many
accomplishments. Those who think
that he does not give much attention
to his paper arc mistaken. lie is we'll
verscd i'm both foreign and national
politics, and rs q proofthat the articles
the latter take their spirit
from his suggestion, it may be noted
that none have appeared since his re-
cent absence. The furniture and dec
o%rations Of a mans house are very apt
to be illustrations of his tone of mind.
of BENEFITS are rich and valua-
bic, without being gaudy. His pict-
ures are chiefly choice sen pieces, by
American and foreign artists. There
is not M however, of tranquil water,
or of'ships in port.