PLEDGING A WIFE.

Southland Times, Issue 4141, 7 October 1881, Page 3

PLEDGING A WIFE.

Many strange articles have been pledged by persons finding themselves with an empty purse and an inexorable creditor ; but to few newly-married men would it occur to leave their bride behind as a guarantee of the payment for the wedding feast. This, however, was, according to a French contemporary, tbe means taken by a bridegroom, who, after the mayor and priest had pronounced him a benedict, repaired with the wedding guests and his wife to St. Maude, near Paris, to wind np the day with a fitting repast. Justice havrhgbeeh "done to tbe dinner, the guests bade adieu to the married couple after the customary' hopes for tbeir future domestic felicity had been expressed. Then came the restaurant keeper with his little bill, amounting to something over 120fr. The sum was not a large, one, but moderate though the call made upou his resources was, tbe bridegroom found himself unable to meet it. Taking the innkeeper aside, he explained tbat he bad , ".left his purse atThome," a circumstance he regretted, since' it obliged him to leave a *» precious article " with his creditor for a few hours whilst he went to fetcb it. The latter naturally expected that^ a watch, a ring, or something of tbat description would be placed in bib'hands as a guarantee of payment ; but to his Surprise, his debtor, pointing to his Joung wife, told him that he confided her to is keeping, promising to return and liberate her in a short time. The offer was accepted, aud the'bride was left in pawn. The ueur of midnight struck, and found the anxious bride still awaiting the return of her lord. The restaurant was closed. Its owner grew uneasy, then angry, and ultimately, finding it weary work sitting up with a young woman in tears, he ordered her up to a garret bedroom, the door of wbich he carefully locked upon his prisoner. The following day passed, and the bride was not redeemed . The innkeeper inquired whether she bad any relatives, to which she replied in the negative : the exasperated creditor informed her that she must don a cook's apron, lay aside her orange flowers, and set to work to earn her daily food, until such time as her heartless husband reappeared to claim her and pay him. This was a sad sequel to tbe wedding day, but perhaps ere this the police, aiding the poor forlorn bride, have succeedel in discovering the wheie»boi.ti Of her hear. less and ill-mannered spouse.