MISCELLANEOUS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4155, 15 July 1874, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

A Smart Biude.—A young gentleman in Syracuse, California, has just married a young lady whose foresight and businesslike habits are certain to prove valuable to him. It seems that there had been an attachment between the lady and another gentleman, a cashier in a bank; but as he was ambitious and she not rich, difficulties arose between them. Nevertheless, the wedding-day was fixed and duly arrived, the guests assembled and proceeded to church; but to the general astonishment the bridegroom was "conspicuous by his absence." Every one became anxious and irritated at such an untoward circumstance except the bride, who showed no sign of discomposure, but placidly waited for the coming event. An event speedily arrived in the person of a strange young man, who hurried up the aisle and took the place of the absent groom. The lady then asked the minister to proceed with the ceremony, and the couple were married; and then the bride explained the mysterious affair to her friends. She had long mistrusted the sincerity of the bank cashier's affection, and her suspicions were strengthened by an intimation she received from him a few days before the wedding, that he was compelled to proceed to Pennsylvania on business. Determining not to be made a fool of on the occasion of her wedding, she telegraphed to an'other admirer, who lived at Hamilton, telling him to be in readiness on the morning of the 25th, as his services might be required as bridegroom in the event of the bank cashier not making his appearance. The favored swain at once set off, found a 'vacant place at the altar, and became a husband. It would certainly have been very hard on him if the advent of the faithless cashier had compelled his retirement, for we opine that there are not many young ladies about with such perspicuity and decision of character- One who can take care of herself so well ought to be able to take care of her husband also. Mr. Robert Ereeland, of Gryffe Castle, Bridge of Weir, while bequeathing so many thousands of pounds to public institutions, has tors in his employment. Among3t other legacies he has bequeathed £SOOO to his cashier, and £3OOO to his salesman and family. The housekeeper, who was twenty-nine years in his service, has received £lO for each year of service, making a total of £290, and a fixed annuity of £SO. A second housemaid, who was eighteen years in service, received £IBO, and an annuity of £4O. A third female was awarded £9O. Two daughters of his deceased coachman each received a gift of £IOO, and the local schoolmaster was also recognised by the generous-hearted donor. The business of cotton-spinning at Bridge of Weir was carried on for many years by the deceased with singular success. The Duke of Sutherland, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Monson, Colonel Yolland, Captain Tyler, and others interested in engineering, assembled at AVest Brompton on May 7 to inspect and test a new kind of tramway car, with steam motive power, but no visible machinery or other drawbacks such as have hitherto militated against the employment of street locomotives. The-, verdict was that in the present invention all previous objections have been overcome.