Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-04
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT,
Caused by a Difference In Religious
Ideas..-A Romance in Real Life in
Baltimore Society Circles.
. thc cineinnatl Enauirsr.

Special to the Cincinnati Enquirer
BALTIMORE, April IA romantic
affair in real life was brought to light
here to-day. As the Allan Line
steamship Sandman was being towed
into the stream a carriage drove rapid
ly up to the pier, from which o young
and strikingly pretty girl, fashionably
attired, alighted, together with two
gentlemen. A glance at the fast.dis-
appearing steamer was sufficient to in
dictate that they were too late for the
contemplated European trip. The
young lady appeared deeply distressed,
aud finally burst into tears. Her
friends attempted to console her, and
in a few moments they all re. entered
the carriage and drove to the Office off
the Cunard agency, where q cabin pas
sage was secured in the steamer
Scythia, which sails from New York
tomorrow.
1t appears from inquiries that the
young lady who goes abroad. was for
some time the fiancee Of Mr.. John
Richie, q we'll known citizen of Bal.
timore county, about fifty years of ace.
Her name is Amelia Graham. and She
came from Ireland a few years ago to
visit her sister aud other relatives in
Baltimore county. She was then
quite a child, but has since DEVELOPED
into womanhood, and her charms won
for her numerous suitors for her hand.
Mr.. Richie was among other visitors.
and Notwithstanding the disparity in
years, an attachment sprang up be-.
tween them, which ripened on the
part of the lady at least in the ton.
derest affection. The couple became
engaged, aud a wedding was talked
Of, but while arrangement were
being made for the ceremony the
discovery was made that the groom
that was to be was a member of
the Episcopal church, and the bride.
elect a strict member of the Roman
Catholic church. Nor was this
all, the venerable Richie insisted mon
the nuptial knot being tied by an
Episcopal clergyman, while his 6ancee
was equally determined that a Roman
Catholic priest should solemnize the
wedding, After a lovers quarrel. a
broken engagement and a re-engaoe.
mont, Miss Graham at last Welded a
a reluctant assent to MI. Ritohie's
wishes, and the day for the wedding
was agreed upon. Invitations were
issued, but before the day fixed for
the ceremony arrived Miss Graham
again refused TO be married by anv bnt
q catholic priest. 1t was Mr.. Ritchie's
turn to relent, which be apparently
did but before the wedding day az
rived he again refused, influenced. il
is said, by his friends. Feari1r. how.
eyer, that he might have Compromised
himself toward the lady, he addressed
the following letteE to- a mutual
friend
BALTIMORE County, March 20,
l879.-pear Sir; You are aware that
Amelia has loved we'll. but not wisely.
am this month fifty years old, and
she is only twenty. Besides, our re.
ligiOn is different, and all of my friends
are very much averse to it, so that
am afraid that it would make Amelia's
lito a bittor one yet, if she insists,
viii fulfill my promise, not that | love
her or respect her any less. Now il
You can use your influence with hor
to let the whole matter drop, tell her
to keep all sho has got and except
5000, / will consider our relations
ended, except as far as good friend.
ship is concerned. l ana very sorr1
that this went 10 far, and her feelings
arc wounded 50. much, but | was moi
aware that people were so much
averse TO it. Yours respectfully.
+ JOHN Richie.
r "P, Sunless Amelia accepts tn,
above proposition, / will not consider
myself forgiven or my conscionc,
clear. Then | win mako out that hel
I friends put her of it. j. r."
, The mutual friend, after considera,
4 BE difficulty, succeeded in gettinl
4 Miss Graham's family to consent Il
4 break the engagement, and a farewell
interview between the lovers tool
. place Yesterday at Miss Graham
I home She appeared deeply moved
At the sight of her old lover, and posi
lively refused to accept the money
{ but 1t was left with her friends. and :,
paper was then signed by beth partie
r declaring the engagement at an end
Miss Graham then resolved to accom-
, pany her sister ON a trip abroad, but
: as already indicated, reached tho Die
= TOO late. She will, however, reacl
Ireland by the Scythia about the sam,
! time, The romantic case has excite,
much comment in the circles Of sOei
/, ETY. IN which all the parties moved
! and 10 which they are highly esteemed
{ Upon tho first evidence Of stomachi
J. nv bomal Aacor1nre N~n,.~ll -