The Washington times., 1906-09-26
MARRIAGE BROKERS
NOW UNDER FIRE
1abouchere Exposes Machi-
nations in London
Truth.
BIG COMMISSIONS REAPED
American Spinsters Anxious to Take
Impecunious Noblemen as
Husbands.

LONDON, Sept. 26.-Henry Labou-
fchere. who is never happy unless ne is
swinging mis- big cudgel against or in
1.-The interests of society, is just now
lgoing hard, in truth, FOR the marriage
brokers. whose fevorite game is i'm
fYecunious English noblemen 10 veal
fthy American spinster or widow.
In this weeks Truth. Mr. LabOuchere
tells OF a nobleman, whom for obvious
reasons he names Lord X, who honor
&c him with his confidence Lord X,
ssays Mr. Laboucbere. is a bachelor in
the prime Of life aud a very eligible
candidate for matrimUny. Not long ago
-an intimate personal friend Of his very
we'll known in society, mentioned that
Lore y s cousin, a clerk in the house
OF commons. was anxious TO zee him,
An interview took place, and Lord y. $
cousin, Mr.. l., explained that his OBJ
jet was 10 ascertain whether his Lord
ship would be disposed TO marry d
wealthy American widow.
in a spirit of curiosity and adventure
he said like Earlis. that he was will
lin and was thereupon introduced by
D. TO an American lawyer, who had Of
fees in London. Here comes a coin
CtdenCe- The wealthy American lady.
his prospective bride. was not mention
ed by name. but was indicated as Iv-
ing in a fashionable West End square
Lord y. knew an American, lacy ltv-
ing there. and promptly went and ex-
pla.ned what was passing 10 the no
small indignation Of the LADY.
Tncked the Brokers.
However, they both agreed 70 play a
T~fFlr Tn 4 4FF IL.
negotiations TO proceed. Thesupshct of
II was that L. and the American lawyer
arranged with Lord Y. that IF the mar
riaSe took place the lady would pay him
&io,ooo CS200,0oO and settle on him 60
Coz tSl0t 000l a year. Out of tais he was
10 pay $4,000 t$l06 00O I'm cash to "the
honest brokers" who had thus secured
his happiness.
Inc next step was the Introduction of
Lord y. TO the American lady's COM
panion, whose part was TO introduce the
pohle bridegroom to the principal" " The
climax came at a little tea party. where
all parties met at a fashionable restau-
rant and where Lord Y showed his
hand. 20 the discontinue Of the brok-
ers. The curtain descends on the peer
and the lady chuckling over the de-
uouemant
Notwithstanding this fasco Mr.. T.. as
sisted by the American lawyer, turned
up again with more ladies TO OFFER TO
Lord y. As soon. however, as Lord "
asceFtaiUed that the ladies in question
were not personal friends of his he
dropped the negotiations Other offers
that were made by marriage brokers 10
Lord Y. included "a little widow with
$1,000 (SIooG00 a year and great per
sonal charm" and a more mature lady
with 10000 lS20o00O a year. Of whom
the broker said, If her face was not all
that could be desired. her figure was un-
eXCeptiOuable."
Offered a Princess.
Yet another agent who tried his hand
on Lord Y. was an Irishman. who offer
ed a tempting bargain of a princess OF /
the house of BonaDarte, with a fortune /
of e3o05,oJo CSl5.00OG61. As "a guaran-
tee of good faith the broker produced
the princess portrait His terms were /
$1,000 tS2ooC CoW commission.
"Oue of the most disquieting discOv- /
cries / have made for a long time" saws
Mr. LabOUchere, lis that if there are /.
clerks in the house of commons who !
supplement their official duties with q /
light job of this kind on commission.
what a Iarid light this throws ON the (
dark plots that may lie behind q pleas (
amt little tea on the Terrace"