The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-08
MATRIMONIAL H0AkES
Thai WIRE AMUSING

Not long ago the town OF West Hartle
pool. England. was the scene OF a matri-
monial hoax which hugely delighted the
Inhabitants 10 the number OF many hun
dreds.
II appears that a couple Of young ladies
had-either in a spirit of mischief or ~
dead earnest-advertised I'm the loca
newspaper for husbands. The applicants
who had the good fortune to be selected
were 10 meet the two girls in the market
place at s o'clock I'm the evening, as stip-
ulated In the advertisement.
The two men were each TO wear a white
rose in their buttonholes as a means OF
identification; and the two ladies could
he recognized by the white handkerchiefs
which they would carry i'm their hands.
II happened however. that the adver-
tisements attracted the notice OF many
others besides the parties Immediately
concerned and they determined also TO
participate In the fun Accordingly, at
the appointed time a large crowd assem-
bied at the rendezvous. white handker-
chiefs being ostentatiously carried by doz-
ems OF women. and white roses being con
spicuously displayed In the buttonholes
of a still larger number OF men.
The most intense excitement prevailed
for upwards OF an hour. several extra po-
licemen having TO be called TO the scene
20 preserve order. Then tho crowd learned
that the whole thing was a hoax This
damped their ardor. and they quickly dis
persed TO their hearths and homes.
few years ago similar hoax was
practised on "a too trustful Liverpool gen
tleman Between IL and42 in the forenoon
the guileless victim was noticed In front
of the town hall. wearing a top-liat and a
light brown coat. I'm the buttonhole of
which was a bouquet of lilies
nd a1f IN IN
fact that whenever young lady dressed
in blue passed along, the gentleman paus-
I'D. raised his hat, and wiped his forehead
with his handkerchief. The latter action
would not have seemed odd IL II had been
summer time. but the day being a bitterly
cold one IL seemed 10 the spectators some
what extraordinary.
Consequently a crowd soon gathered.
and IL rapidly grew TO such dimensions
that the police had 20 interfere and or
der the cause OF the gathering TO move
on. This tho gentleman did with great
reluctance; and IL afterwards transpired
that he had been the victim OF matri-
monial hoax.
As the outcome OF the usual correspond
ence, an appointment had been made for
the appearance of the gay lothario i'm
front OF the town hall, at the time and
in the dress mentioned, 60 meet the young
lady, who would be arrayed I'm "a dress OF
blue. Needless TO say. she failed 10 fulfil
her part OF the arrangement. SO the police
were really doing the victim "A kindness
in moving him on.
A couple Of years ago Colchester was
amused by a score or more of youths who
were made the victims OF an artful matrl-
nonial hoax. one morning each received
through the post n delicately-scented and
daintily-written missive requesting him To
meet the fair writer outside one OF the
largest establishments In the town at a
time mentioned.
The letter was couched In Irresistible
language. and each susceptible youth was
requested 10 wear a straw hat slightly
Tilted on the right side. TO carry rolled
up umbrella under his right arm and to
wear a sprig OF Ivy I'm his buttonhole--all
OF course, for the purpose OF identifica-
ton.
As the large clock over the building de-
noted the appointed time, number OF
festive youths. arrayed according Go the
directions OF the charming correspondent.
were seen approaching Others rapidly
followed. and passers-by soon became Gu
riously interested at the spectacle OF so
many expectant youths, each with n
straw hat set rakishly over his right
eye, an umbrella which he carried under
his arm In A futile effort TO appear uncon-
cerned. and with leaf of ivy In his but
tonhole