The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-29
JILTING OF LORD MAYORS DAUGHTER
is PULLING LONDON SOCIAL WORLD
RecaIcitrant Lover No
titles Newspapers
Of Intention.
Breaks News to Family
on the Eve of the
Wedding Day

W6OOiflg Odv
LONDON, Sept. 2S.-It IS probable
that the true reasons which caused J.
A G. McCalman to desert his bride
elect, Miss Constance Ritchie, the sec
ond daughter Of Sir James Ritchie,
Lord Mayor of London, two days be
fore the day assigned for the wedding
viii never be divulged. No light is
thrown on his motives for jilting the
girl in the latest details that have been
CLEANED about the affair He has dis
appeared, leaving no address behlhd
him, but is supposed TO be making NM
self scarce on the Continent. For some
time 10 come he viii certainly find Lon
don too hot TO hold him. Miss Richie,
meanwhile, is doing her best 10 console
herself with the reflection that she has
had narrow escape from marriage
that would have proved a failure, but
does not find il so easy as some Of her
philosOphic friends who have under
taken 10 comfort her There viii be no
breach Of promise suit and no recon
Citation. "McCalman may change his
mind" says Miss Ritchie's brother,
but my sister VIII never change hers.
She has done with him forever and we
shall assist her 10 forget the past as
manly possible"
one Of the most singular features Of
the case is the extraordinary pains
taken by the faithless lover TO give
publicity 10 his own perfdy. He called
personally at the prominent newspaper
Offices before his flight and announced
his intention Of lodging the matrl-
lnonial moose. But with that singular
lack of appreciation Of opportunities to
obtain news which is characteristic Of
British journalists he was not asked 10
give any explanation. Nor was any
gratitude shown him for his valuable
tip in the comments made on his
conduct
FEARS GIRLS BIG BROTHER.
McCalman adopted a more discreet
method of conveying the tidings of his
hymeneal remuneration 10 the bride
family, perhaps because he feared the
possible consequences Of an encounter
with Miss Ritchies big brother. Just
haforaalle skinDed ae mailed a letter 10
clr James, telling hmm that he had de-
cided not 10 marry his daughter. He
had been expected to take lunch that
day at the Mansion House, the stately
official residence Of the Lord Mayor,
but 10 the surprise Of the household
he did not come. nor was any MESA &c
received from him 10 account for his
absence.
tanned somewhere" said Miss Richie,
VINO had not the slightest suspicion
that anything was wrong. He will
certainly be here to dinner in the even
ing" she added cheerily. While she
was speaking, her lover was speeding
away from London as fast as a rail-
way train could carry him. The din
ner hour came and the rich wedding
gifts were displayed about the room,
but the bridegroom did not show UP.
Just as the family had taken their
seats at the table McCslman's letter
arrived. In few moments Miss
Ritchie had fed weeping from the fes-
tive board 20 her bedroom. Sir James
was choking with anger and indigna-
tion ana the big brother was fervently
wishing that he had McCalmans head
in chsncery.
THE blow came like a bolt from
the blue, he said. We have not the
remotest idea what has led McCalman
10 act as he has done. We neither
know his reasons nor his whereabouts.
There was certainly nothsng in the ma
tUre OF quarrel between MIN and my
sister. They appeared TO be the hap
piest pair imaginable"
GO SHOPPING TOGETHER.
Miss Richie and her lover had gone
shopping together the day before.
that is-for a man. II has been sug-
gested that il was this experience
which caused McCalmAn to realize
what matrimonial letters meant and to
resolve 10 seek freedom in flight
Little is known Of McCalman or his
sntecedents IN London. For some
years he has held a good position in
the Egyptian irrigation service. He is
about 80 years Of age and good look
ing. He was regarded as a very lucky
man in winning Miss Richie, for Sir
James has lots Of money and can be
depended on TO make a handsome set
uement on his daughter. Only wealthy
men are eligible for election to the
ornamental dignity of Lord Mayor Of
London. The salary is $50. 900 a year,
bbf The incumbent is expected to spend
twice or thrice that sum on entertain
ms the city's guests and is invariably
reverted with knighthood during his
tenure OF ONCE II he does not happen
10 possess a title before he takes it.
"A Mansion House wedding is always
q swell affair and great preparations
tao beer made for this one. Three
hundred guests had been invited and
more than 300 presents had been re-
ceiNeo. The Court Of Aldermen sent a
handsome diamond necklace and the
court OF Common Council a pair of
diamond earrings, table silver and cut
4Diy- many Costly gifts from aristo-
cfatic friends figure in The list. All the
presents have been returns. Miss
Richie IS left with her bridal frous-
sean on her hands She will not have
long 10 wait Tor an opporfuni+,, ~
make use OF II II she is minded 10 seelr
solace for her disappointment n, = sec-
ono engagement There are scores =.
eligible young men ia London WHO
would jump ar the chance 10 tie ,be
rccalcitrant McCalman's Mace ana
would give bonds TO appear at the
altar.