Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-28
AUCTBONEERING A BRIDAL
OUTFIT.
The Custom House sells Snug
gIed TrOusseau, which is
Bought up byShfp Chal-
dIcrs and Junk
Dealers.

From the New York Herald, 9th inst.
For the past two days a rare c%elleo-
ton Of all that is beautiful in the fe-
male eye was on free exhibition at an
auction room in Burling slip. 1t was
a brides trousseau. Last month when
the steamship Scythia, of the Cunard
line, arrived at this port, among the
passengers was Mr.. Joseph Leopold. a
wealthy gentleman Of Milwaukee. 10
the four trunks which constituted his
luggage Mr.. Leopold bad packed a lot
of costly articles which he intended
to distribute among his children and
relatives. The bulk Of their contents
was for his daughter Rachel, who was
about to assume the responsibilities Of
matrimony. A sympathetic aud, it is
alleged, a corrupt Custom House Of
fcer allowed the property to be con-
yeyed to the Prescott House without
the formality Of exacting the custom
airy duties. Mr.. A G, Weight, a Gus
tom House inspector, called at the
hotel and asked to see an inventory Of
Mr.. LeopOld's baggage, The result of
the inspection was that two of the
trunks were remsnded to the custody
70 the United States Marshal to be
sold.
At noon yesterday a motely crowd
gathered in the auction room. Less
than a dozen representatives Of the
fair sex we're present, and they were
generally unsympathetieand decidedly
businesslike. The catalogue included
sixty numbers, representing nearly
every article of female apparel and
home embellishments. There were
dresses, shawls, a sealskin circular,
~children's dresses, ladies' wrappers,
skirts, parasols, kid gloves, with from
three to eight buttons, silk stockings,
lace handkerchiefs, ties, collars and
shawls, corsets, napkins, tablecloths
and other paraphernalia Of hOusekeep-
ing. ALI the table linen, the embroid
cred and hem-stitched handkerchiefs
and some Of the white skirts bore the
embossed monographs OF members OF
the Leopold family. They were ex-
posed in glass ~eases-the only orna-
ments which relieved the glOominess
Of the store. The buyers were princi-
pally ship chambers, cotton meF-
chants, shipping men, junk dealers,
eligible young men with domestic
bliss in prospect, tea dealers, fruit
men and men generally who do busi-
ness near the East River. The ladies
we're for the most part ornamental,
occasionally giving an opinion as to
the use and value Of certain articles,
(which the %auetioneer expressed 8
profound ignorance.
A BACHELOR BUYS A MAGNIFICENT
ROBE.
SSix music books, the first lot went
for $l.12R each. In rapid succession
the table linen aud embroidered aud
hemstitched handkerchief were dis
posed Of for less than cost. Alot Of
point and Limerick lace mOuehoirs
brought from S2.75 to $3.50, lace col
lars Of fine workmanship were sacri
feed at from 81 to 81; a black lace
shawl brought S25; lace capes, aprons
and wristlets were sacrificed; a pair of
elegant black silk cursets realized
$3.50, a sum greatly under their zeal
s. 80 per pair was the valua
ton placed upon five pairs Of fine silk
stockings; Sl.35 per pair was paid for
twenty-five pairs Of ladies' three but
ton kid gloves; two lots Of four-button
Sl.2j and Sl.374 respectively,
and six pairs of gcutlemen's gloves
were captured for 81 per pair. The
FIRST real buzz Of excitement occurred
when Mr.. Burdett gingerly held up a
maroon velvet dress trimmed with
point lace, a beautiful garment, which
had been appraised at $3.50, plus the
duty Of sixty per cent. One Of the
lady spectators, who had been feast
ing her eyes upon its glorious
richness, timidly offered 500 to
start it. To the surprise OF many it
vas knocked down for Sl75 to Nj.
Hernin, a bachelor ship.
chandler. Of South street. His init
mate friends expressed the hope that
i would match the prospective Mrs.
Hernin's face when her lawful lord
confronted her after he had spent a
with his old companions. A
black satin dress, heavily trimmed
with bead passemsnteiie and Meehlin
lace, with waist to match and adjust
train, were purchased by Mr..
for Sl35. The appraised
was $500, with the addition
Of sixty per cent duty; a sacque Of the
same workmanship brought 800. and a
similarly made dOlman was sold for
S34, less than half its alleged value.
The other garments, which were
almost given away, were a plum col
ored satin dress, worth 500, for $6l;
a blue cashmere wrapper, trimmed
with lace, for $35; a child's dress, of
blue silk, lace trimmed, $2l; a silk
trimmed walking dress, $50. The
piece de resistance was a white bro
eade satin wedding dress, g%arnitured
with Mechlin lace, a perfect marvel
Of the dressmaker's art. An in
voluntary "Oh, my, isn't it too sweet
for anything escaped from the
lips of the ladies, and the henry
handed men crowded each other to
catch a glimpse of its immaculate
sheen. Mr.. Leopold's daughter would
have felt a tugging at her heart strings
had she seer the avidity with which
it was exchanged for Sl60, which Mr..
Isaac Hall. proprietor Of the Battery
baths, deposited with the auctioneer.
II was considered to be worth $40.
with the duty aided. A superb seal
skin dolman, with bugle ornaments,
was sold for $500. The reminder Of
the articles brought fair prices
The result Of the sale was $500 for
articles worth, by government ap.
praisement, with the duty added
about $1,000. Mr.. Weight said that
Mr.. Leopold could have released his
goods on payment Of the duties, which
amounted to about $500. This Mr..
Leopold declined to do, as Nr. Voight
alleged, fearing that he would be
arrested. This is the first time in the
history Of Custom House seizures that
such an elaborate trousseau has been
placed under the hammer for non
payment Of duties.
A positive cure for malaria, digest