The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-01-18
The Bennett-May Difficulty.

last straw that broke the engagement.
One is that Mr. Bennett, at dinner
party, said all the Mays wanted him for
was his money. Another is that, when
not himself, he went to the Mays and
behaved in q manner that caused Miss
Nays father TO write letter of remon-
STRANGE, to which he paid no attention.
Another is that there was violent scene
on New Years night, in the course OF
which Mr.. Bennett used unbecoming
language to DR.. and Mrs. May and that
it was at this-no doubt unprecedented
and observation-disclosures to their
mother that sent the sons out, armed
with whips, in search of the offender. A
friend of all parties concerned furnishes
the Sun the following version of the
facts
1t was during the summer of 1876 that
Mr.. Bennett began to pay marked atten-
tions to Miss May. She had the seat of
honor on the box OF his coach. She was
the honored guest on board his yacht
The ensuing winter they were seen much
together-out driving. at the theater, at
receptions, at dinner parties, at the opera
and soon it was rumored they were en-
gagged to be married. The match was
regarded brilliant one by the young
lady's friends, especially as the young
people seemed devoted to each other.
The friends of Mr.. Bennett and his il
lustrious father were equally pleased,
though some who were aware that the
young gentleman had an erratic, impul-
sive, unfortunate temperament, and had
been several times engaged, had their
fears. 1t was promised, however, that
Mr.. Bennett was really most devoted to
Miss May, who is a very charming young
lady, and they hoped for the best.
Mr.. Bennett is not ladies' man. He
rather avoids ladies' society, finding more
pleasure in that of gentlemen INCLINED,
like himself, to polo, yachting and ath
letic sports. His greatest fault, now so
generally known that it is no longer n
secret, was his liabil ty at any moment to
go on spree. Liquor gives many men
dual nature it so affects Mr. Bennett,
intensifying his jmpuisiveness, obstinacy,
and Scotch suspicion, and deadening the
many noble qualities of head and heart
which characterize him when he is 81 HIM
self" But it had been some time since
he had been on a spree he was so assid-
uous in his attentions to his fiancee, he
was SO much interested in his prepara-
tions for the introduction of polo at Jer-
ONE park, he 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 rumored that date in May had
been fixed foe the nuptals. Suddenly,
as these events always occur, and Just as
he had so often done before, the pros
pective groom went off on one of his I'M
fortunate 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 picture
OF remorse. His tiancee wrote, Offering
to release him. He wrote frankly, ack-
nowledging that he did not think himself
worthy OF her, saying that, once married,
her influence over bin would be all pow
erful OF course she relented.
After last summers season of polo at
Jerome park Mr.. Bennett went to New
port, and started the game there. His
betrOthed, her brother and other men,
bers of the family were his honored
guests throughout the season at Newport.
With the return to town in the autumn
came rumors of the arrival from Paris of
the wedding trousseau, on which the Gus
tom officials Wee said to have demanded
duty to the amount OF $1,000. The nup-
tials We're to be private. One day there
gathered in the May mansion small but
select circle of relatives and friends, and
there was fair young bride arrayed in
her spotless white, and there was clergy
man to make the twain one; but there
was no bridegroom. Another letter and
another forgiveness. The indignant
father would consent only on condition
that the groom should make Il marriage
settlement. The groom objected the
laws of the State made sufficient provision.
Parental consent was finally given TO the
selection of another date. A wedding
tour on the continent was decided on.
On the evening before the day the old,
unhappy story was repeated. with aggra-
waiting circumstances. When Mr.. Ben
nett left the house the ladies We're in
tears. One of the brothers came in,
found them crying, and asked the cause.
What followed is now history.
There are scores of men in New York
who are ready to go on Mr. Benefits
bond as man of even foolhardy courage.
Recorder Hackett is one of them. Some
years ago, he says, Bennett allowed him
to shoot, at seven PAGES, n three cent
piece, inserted in a cork, from the top of
his head. On another occasion Bennett
invited him to shoot, at the same dis
tance, the ashes from a cigar in his
mouth. He stood both shots with perfect
GOODNESS.