Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-16
UNJUSTLY ACCUSED.
How a Rich Young New Yorker
Was Turned Against Society.

New York Letter J
A young man whose face | recOg-
nized as that of member ola wealthy
family up town, rolled up the avenue
in a dog cart the other afternoon, with
a devil may care air about him. A
gentleman said, Poor fellow, be is
going to the dogs fast, and do you
know that his spirit was broken by a
curious circumstance. He was dc.
voted in his attentions to Miss-now
Mrs-avery charming young society
woman here several years ago, but she
was piqued by something that he did,
and as a result she broke her engage
ment with him, which had become
we'll known, and soon put on the ring
offreel her by another admirer. The
discarded lover in the best Of taste
wore his disappointment lightly, and
10 order that there might be no break
10 his relations with the family which
would cause a scandal, he began to de-
vote himselfas assiduously To- younger
sister. He went to a reception one
evening with the sister and his
former fancee with her lover was
there. The latter was called away
during the evening by a telegram, aud
he asked the escort of his betrothed's
sister, If he would not see both home.
He responded pleasantly, YES, but
it is hardly fair to revive the memo
ries of other days in that way. How
ever, | will be gallant" AS the three
entered the carriage to go home, the
discarded lover began pleasantly TO
LEST with the lady about her new en-
gagement. "0h," he said, 81 believe
you will break it. You are famous for
that" But l am engaged for good,
she said. See, | have a ring, and
you did not give me one" NO. he
replied, "our affair was not quite so
serious. But | dare say you are too
superstitious to take the ring off and
let me see it." Certainly not" she
said, drawing a beautiful ring from her
finger. The young man examined it
aud tried to make out an Italian in
scription that was inside. A moment
later the carriage jolted SO as to divert
the thoughts of all for a minute or
two, and then the lady interrupted the
conversation by saying, Where is my
ring2' The gentleman said II put
it into your lap" A search was made
and it could not be found. The girls
both shook out their dresses and a
patient inspection was made
Of every Granny in the car
riage, but in vain. The lady
lost her temper, and began to ac.
cuse her escort Of keeping the
ring. He protested upon his honor
that be had returned the ring 10 her
by laying it upon her lap. She denied
that be had put it back there, and her
sister said that the last she saw of il
was when the gentleman was exsmin-
ing it. When the carriage arrived at
the home Of the young woman they got
out carefully and examined tho side
walk closely after they passed across
it to see if they dropped the ring.
They asked their escort to step in and
see their father. The old gentleman
scolded right anil leh-the daughter
for trihing with her engagement ring.
and the gentleman for presuming to
pay attention to the daughter after
their own engagement was broken.
The young man then asserted that be
believed the loss Of the ring adopted
as a pretext to break the friendship.
The young lady insisted that be had
taken the ring and kept it. lie offered
to allow the father to search him, but
he was requested to end his interview
aud his relations with the family at
once. lie soon found that he was
branded in society as a thief, and he
was formally cut by some of those he
had considered his best friends. he
ceased at once to 60 into society Soon
afterwards he became possessed by
inheritance Of a fortune, and being
utterly ~disheartened he turned into a
melancholy spendthrift and began IN
run the road that leads to the dogs
But was he guilty."
ALLOW me to finish. The engage
meut ring was replaced by the one who
gave it with a new one, and the mar.
riage was duly celebrated. Some
months ago the bride wps ripping up
her old party dress, which was of white
tulle, with hounces and fittings. and
as she drewa thread hat held a hounce
the ring that her quondam lover and
her sisters friend we're suspected Of
having stolen, rolled upon the floor.
Explanations came too late and young
has become so set in his new pur.
suit tsat the smiles of society have
MN annr LII. LtLLn- n--.-.o.-