Year: 1866

4


! ADVENTURES OF A sCoUNDREL-A REsPECTA-


BILE GIRL ABDUCTED FROM HER PARENTS,
RUINED AND DESERTED.


Some three or four months ago, q dressy and
rather fine looking gentleman rejoicing in the title
| and name of Col. o Brien, and hsiling from the
| town of New York, which lies in the suburbs of
| the city of Brooklyn, arrived in the city of Men,
| phis. He was some thirty or thirty-fve years of
| age, wore fine dyed moustache and goatee, abun-
| dance Of iewelry, sported gold-headed cane and
but for slight cropping out of dandyism would pass
for gentleman in any circle. He had travelled,
boasted of speaking three or four languages. alluded
rather frequently to the wealth and standing of his


family spoke of early college life travels in Europe
and Asia, and recent return to this country to in
herit large fortune left him by an old uncle. His
manners were easy, and he soon made considerable
range of acquaintance. For short time he stop
ped at the hotel, but through the influence of new
acquaintance was introduced to arespectable though
poor family who kept few boarders for their own
support. The name of the family for our present
purpose is Wilson. The husband andfather is me-
chanic or at least was He has one or two sons
grown, and daughter named Sallie, just seventeen
years old, who is prominent subject of this article.
She pretty, full of life intelligent for her sta
tion, and of u sweet confdng disposition; her edu-
cation had not been altogether ected though she
once spent several months in miner shop, to pro-
vide for herself and contribute mite to the wants
of the family.


The Colonel-so-caed-o being introduced to
the family went there to board saying that he
preferred the amenities of domestic circle to the
rush and din of a hotel-that he had some business


interests in the city to look after, and might remain
some weeks. He was very kind to the family, soon


ngratiating himself into their confidence, and tax


ing all the freedom of a relative or honored guest
Weeks stretched into months, and still he fingered
to look after the business" paying all the while
very strict attention to Miss Salie which the fam


lily, with the exception of one of her brothers who
had been in the army, seemed to highly approve
The Colonel did not paw his board bills as regularly
the landlady could have desired but of course he
had the money; it was the same as so much in the
bank, and the current expenses from week to week
met without the disagreeable necessity of dun
ming the wealthy Colonel, who began to be consid-
cred prospective sOn-in law. Some of the boarders
young men on light salaries, who were less sue
cessful in gaining the attention winning the af
fectons OF Miss Saliie, viewed the progress of the
COlOnels suit with envious eyes and Jealous hearts
Many a bitter remark was made in a private way
about the dazzling influence of wealth upon womans
heart. But TO hasten on to the sequel Seme three
or four weeks ago the Colonel was suddenly called
off to New Orleans; indeed, so suddenly that he had
barely time to get off his baggage without paying
his bill; would be back soon; but a large sum of
money was involved, and he must go at once.


The remaining boarders thanked their stars for the
God-send which took him off, and one in particular
began to renew his attentions to the fair Miss Sal
lie; but it was Of no avail-she scorned TO notice
him. He felt deeply chagrined, of course but re-
solved to bide his time patiently.


The Colonel, it seems did not go to New Orleans,
as the sequel shows. About week after his depar-
ture Miss Sallie went out shopping one afternoon in
company with a neighbor girl. After calling at
several places she excused herself in store to step
back where they had been to look for something she
had lost. She did not return and finally her COM
panion went home without her. The family were
not uneasy at her absence supposing that she had
gone to stay all night with of their relatives
in the city, The next morning at breakfast the dis
cOmfted young man inquired for Miss Sallie and |
stated that he had her get into hack at the
corner of Adams and Main Streets and go down to-
wards the levee. The truth flashed the mind of !
the brother first and the others afterwards. boat
had started up the river just after the time mention
ed. The Colonel had been seen the boat and
pursuit was resolved upon at once. Two days af- |
forwards, Mr.. Wilson and his son arrived in st. |
Louis. They looked around the city two days, but |
the fugitives could be traced further. The ef-
forts of the detectives equally futile. When
Just ready TO leave late evening, the young
caught glimpse of Col. O Bren in a new suit and
appearance. He watched him to small boarding |
house in obscure part of the city, and then sought
his father. The two proceeded at 10 the place.
and entered somewhat unceremonlously, and soon |
stood confronting the guilty pair in their room. A
scene OF confusion, Oaths and screaming ensued not
easily described. The gallant Colonel attempted to
escape by back door, but intercepted by the |
young man. He drew pistol, but it missed fire, |
and he was disarmed after sharp struggle. The |
young lady first screamed, was then defiant and |
finally toned down to pleading and sobs. The board
ers rushed to the scene and two policemen shortly
after arrived, and were only prevented from arrest
ing the parties by agreement which they entered
into among themselves. The Colonel promising to |
marry the girl, proceedings against him stopped
With this understanding the policemen consented TO
leave, and the four proceeded to one of the hotels
The Colonel begged that the ceremony might be |
until the next morning, that some pre- |
paration might be made and few Of his select |
friends invited to be present. This was consented
tc, the father and resolving to watch him close
ly, they sleeping in the same room. During the |
night the gay Colonel managed to elude them, and
next morning his flight discovered; since which |
non est inUe5tuy. The remainder of the story is
easily told the young lady, ruined in reputation |
and overwhelmed with grief and shame was brought |
home to her family. They arrived on the steamer |
City of Alton by her last trip down. We would |
follow her no further. The peace of family has
been destroyed, tender heart crushed and fair |
name tainted forever by the fattery and perfdy of
heartless wretch under the il-assumed guisc of
geutleman.-Mcmphis appeal.