Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-29
A WICKED ZEE IN HIS BONNET.
The Fond and Foolish Father Of a Weak.
minded son.

Tic Fcnd and Foolish Father Of Weak
minded son.
An Atiica CN. " telegram says: Eugene
c. Austin. residing near this place, is q
young man OF pleasing appearance, but
wcak-minded and very vain. His pecu-
iaritiCs have long afforded much amuse-
ment TO the thoughtless. In 1880 he wa,
seized with tic idea that his talents had al
tracted the attention Of the leaders Of the
Republican party. and his mania was hu-
morcd by iun-loying people, VINO led bin
10 believe that he was entitled % an i'm
poriant foreign mission. The young mans
father is Charles Austin, wealthy farmer,
with whom the son lives. The father i
nearly eighty years old, and he is firmly
convinced Of his sons political genius and
influence.
After the election OF Garfield in 1880,
Young Austin went TO Mentor TO consult
with the PreSident-elect in relation to the
foreign mission. The father betrayed all
the expenses OF the trip. The failure TO
receive the appointment was charged 10y
both father and son 10 the treachery
OF trusted friends. \ year before old
Mr.. Austin assured his son that with liz
tie effort he could secure the Republican
nomination for asscmblyman from Wv
oming county, and furnished him with
money TO carry oil his canvass. The
young man travelled about the country with
q four-in-hand coach, making speeches.
paving for demonstrations, aud spending
money like water This freak cost the old
farmer several thousand dollars. After his
failure TO obtain the foreign mission young
Austin and his father became disguised
with what they called the treachery and In.
gratitude of The party, and waited for time
TO eet things right. In 1888 man and wo-
man, strangers, appeared at the Austin farm.
They said they were man and wife, and lad
come from Canada as ambassadors from
Lord Halford, who had been attracted by The
fame and genius Of young Austin, and who
desired 10 have him become the husband
Of bis only daughter. the rich and besu..-
full Lady Anne. Old Mr.. Austin furnished
funds 10 these two strangers TO return 70
Canada and arrange for the marriage, and
subsequently sent them hundreds Of dol
lars, which they said was necessary in the
preliminary formalities Of the proposed
wedding. Friends finally interiered TO pre-
vent further bleeding OF the AustinS by
the swindleTs.
When the Republican Convention met
this year ycuug Austin expected the second
place on the ticket, and his father en-
deavored to induce a large number OF men
to 20 to Chicago TO look after his sons
boom. He said that General Logan espe-
cially desired his son on the ticket. When
Logan was given second place young Aus
tin denounced him as traitor, and de-
clared that be would now 20 to Chicago
and take the yicc-presidency nomiua-
ton from the Democrats and sweep New
York away from Blaine. Old Mr.. Austin
was making all arrangements for sending 4
train-load Of his sens supporters" to
Chicago, and to Law out large SUN in de-
corations, banners, &c, when another son.
Elbridge Austin, who has long in vain
protested against the actions OF his father
and brother, obtained the appointment OF
commissioners to examine into the sanity
OF the two, and the courts stopped further
proceedings in the Chicago matter. The
investigation is now being made.