Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
ON MARRYING ONES AUNT,

Some years ago weird and thrilling tale ap-
peared in B,ackrood's Maoazine, the climax of
which consisted In mans lighting duel with
his grandfather. the dispute being for the
smiles and hand OF his grandmother. The
younger lover did not know up to this climax
the relationship that existed between himself
and the object of his devotion; and this circum-
stance has been held TO save the otherwise
questionable moral OF the story. which but for
that might be taken to include the propriety Of
marrying or making love to ones grandmother.
NOW In the curious case just tried In the United
states Circuit Court at Albany such an inculca-
ton is conveyed in a way that must excite
lively interest and discussion. The lady con-
cerned Is, to be sure, not a grandmother but an
aunt, and an aunt of the half blood only: but
the conSanguinity Is near enough to suggest
parallel as well as to establish precedent OF a
striking character.
In the first place Mr.. Orson l. Champion was
so incautious as to send his aunt valentine;
there can be at least no doubt that he did So
considering the nature OF the missives put in
is Mir. Champions mothers half-siSter. Shells
six years younger than Mr.. Champion, and is
young. progressing, and lady of unexcep-
tonable habits and manners. Mr.. Champion
fell deeply in love with his aunt in Mobile six
years ago, and in that warm southern city, rich
In the perfume of orange blossoms and magno-
lia, and musical with the song of the oriole and
the hooking bird, they pledged to each other
deathleSs constancy. This happened during an
afternoon drive on the 'shell road in 1913. Two
years afterward Mr.. Champion visited his be-
trCthed at Batavia, in this state, and thence
went with her to her brothers house at Fair
field, in Michigan. A week was passed there
for Mobile, the enamored nephew renewed his
vows OF eternal alteration. All then between
them was confidence and joy, and the happy pair
dreamed OF nothing but 1.-The bloom OF young de-
sire and purple light of love"
So full, in truth, was Mr.. CHAMPION of his
cherished project, that he soon began in anna
tory letters to anticipate its consummation. In
stead of signing himself Your affectionate
DpOlpW y his ppiStlpS ended with
tionate husband" He covered his fair CORE
spondent with photographic caresses, styling her
his darling precious wife" his dearest
Nancy" and, in short, his everything imaglna-
BILE that Is loving and complimentary except his
"dear Aunt" Time rolled on, and the course of
true love seemed In all ways to run smooth.
But Mis- Campbell appears to have thought
time was rolling TOO long before coming to
business, and so she made visit to Mobile to
see what was going on. The immediate incen-
tive to this step seems to have been a letter In
which Mr.. Champion philoSophically intimated
that although he was rapidly speeding on LIES
journey, he was grateful that he had the love
woman. The sentiment was unobjectiOnable no
doubr, but it implied a certain GOODNESS and de-
liberation not altogether consistent with the
warmth and wild rapture with which Mr. Cramp-
ton had metaphorically clasped his beloved to
his bosom in the letters that had gone before.
The matter at all events would bear watching,
al with this persuasion Miss Campbell sudden
ly landed on the shores Of that lovely bay where
tarragut's cannon had hundred fourteen years
Iefoie. But her nephew soon treasured her.
She had not heard from him for six months and
she surprised him by sending card in another
name asking him to call. He was, however
equal to the occasion. He said: Nancy, do
you think have no honor left2 Could marry
any other woman but you?' He went on to re-
mark that he was making $1,000 year and
would soon be ready to carly out his engage
ment. Doubtful, but fond, the lady listened
and believed. She went back to Michigan to
wait. expecting her amorous nephew to fly to
her like the song-birds in the spring Of 1879.
Month after month, Notwithstanding, glided
away and the once passionate lover failed to APP
pear At last, in August last, he anticipated
another visit by a letter. 1t was written from
Wheeling Springs, in Virginia, and it mentioned
that he felt sick. He had gone to Wheeling
Springs for his health, he said, but had not re-
covered it. He had however, found there a lady
whom on the whole he liked better than his
aunt. His letter, with charming frankness, an
nounced as much with the future pleasing dec
laratton that his and his aunts course In life
must hereafter be separate one; and this
time, If not before, he was her affecttonate ne
phew. Such was the last letter that passed be-
tween the once lovelorn couple; and favor
able opportunity presenting, Miss Campbell be-
gan in New York the suit for breach OF prom
iSe that the Circuit Court at Albany has just
decided in her favor with the award Of $40, 900
damages.
From this strange, eventful history are to be
deduced several important morals. One OF these
is, that however innOcuOuS 1t may prove to make
love to ones aunt in Alabama or Michigan, 1t
will not answer, unless man really wishes to
marry her, to commit himself in New York; since
in the former state man may not, it appears,
| marry his aunt, while In the latter he can Hence
those persons who have been In the habit Of sup
posing that, whatever the hazard OF flirting with
their cousins, they were as safe In such a prac-
lice with their aunts as with their sisters must
now revise their opinions and conform their be-
hayior to the established precedent For they
will otherwise run the risk of sharing the fate
of the hapless but too tnflammable Mr.. Cramp-
Ton, who, however conSolatory may be the re-
Election that he is enriching the maternal branch
of his family, must find his honeymoon conSid-
erably dashed by the further reflection that he
has to pay ten thousand dollars for the privilege
of enjOyinp it-TN, r Post