Evening star., 1897-01-30
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
The Story Of Wedding That Never
Game Of.
Each Was Anxious to Marry for
Money and Thought the Other
Well On-BOth Mistaken.
Written for The Evening Star.

written for The Evening Star.
In the records in the Office of the clerk
of the court in this city there Is the record
of a marriage license. issued some fifteen
years ago, to Mr.. J. S. s. and Mrs
L. w. D., but the accompanying certifi-
cate of the solemnization of the rite has
never been filled out, and on the margin are
the words: Returned; Cancelled This is the
brief record of the close of a courtship in
which both the parties were within few
hours of succe ssfElly playing a game OF
false pretenses upon the other, and prob
ably laying the foundation for years of
misery which follow ill-assorted marriages.
Nevertheless. the festivities took place at
the appointed hour, though there was no
bride or minister present
The was-to-be groom had been first a
trusted employe of the government, but,
having through drink fallen into bad COM
pany few years before, was quite fly as
confidence man, and was more than once
in the hands of the police, but he luckily
escaped conviction. At this time he was a
widower, with one or two children, who
were with relatives. OF fair personal ap-
pearance, and glib of tongue with fair
education. and much experience as trav-
eler. he had all the qualifications requisite
to play on the confidence of supposedly
rich widow. The latter from the en-
pire state of the south-Georgia-where she
had lived some years. till her husbands
death, and then returned to the scenes of
L.
posed as well-to-do widow, of about thirty
years of age, and moved In circle far
above that in which the affianced had be-
fore moved. She had friends in the eastern
part of the city, and among them were the
families of some naval officers but at this
time she was boarding with friends I'm the
extreme northern part of the city. They
had by some means met, and, the lice be-
| ing broken" they soon made confidants of
each other, and while the woman was
made to believe that the man was heavily
interested in real estate. he in turn swal-
| lowed her story that she had brought from
| Georgia nearly s200.O00 in United States
registered bonds, left to her by her hus-
band. in lieu of dover in his estate. Each
frm!y believed the other, and 1t was not
| long before they determined to marry and
| the hour was SET invitations sent out
minister engaged and a handsome supper
| ordered
! On the morning of the day for the we'd
| ding all was activity; the landlady set her
| house in order, trimmed the parlor with
| flowers and plants: some friends of the
| groom secured the services of band and
| the groom arranged to send a carriage for
| the minister. Late on the afternoon of
| that day the groom, not wishing the iSSu-
ance of the license to be known by the
| police till the cerH mony was over, procured
| the document. He was, however, advised
| by friend that he should find out about
| the bonds before he commenced to brag,
| or he might be fooled. He, however could
| not disbefieve her story, nor would he be-
| lieve that it was possible for the widow to
discredit his story of the mythical real
| estate possessions. While so engaged the
| bride had flown from her cage. In looking
| over her wardrobe she found that there
were some little things, such as ribbons,
| lace and ruching necessary, and went down
town to purchase them. Perhaps 1t was
| fortunate for both that the bride met on
| 18th street young naval officer. and learned
from him something of the character of
Mr.. s., who. he said possessed not even a
| burial lot. This information was enough
| for her, and neglecting to purchase finery
| for the occasion, she hastily returned to
her boarding house. packed up her trunk,
settled her bill. called carriage and was
| soon in the house of friend.
| When the groom reached the house, late
in the afternoon. and learned that his bird
had flown. and that she had left word that
the marriage was off, he did not tear his
hair" or shed any tears: but at once pre-
| pared to have a time. Word was sent to
the minister and the band that their ser
vices would not be required, and the order
for refreshments was changed from wines
cordials. cakes and cream to whisky, beer
sandwiches and cigars for a stag party
was expected. AS the hour set for the
wedding approached the house was bril-
liantly lighted, the men guests (for the
ladies had been notified that the wedding
was Off commenced to arrive. and in a lit
tie time there was lively time. 1t was
soon explained how the bride had packed
up and eft and how she had no bonds
and was about as well to do as the groom
Then the company was invited to com.
modious back porch. and the party was
quite as merry and far more hilarious than
| it would have been had the bride and the
ladies been present.
The groom died a few months after from
| disease of the lungs and not from
| broken heart. The parties never met after
ward and the groom, finding, while he had
| been playing on her creduitty, he had beer
| quite as easily duped was ever ready had
| he again met her to acknowledge theiI
| love affair stand OFF," ]. K. GUM.