AN APRIL FOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 311, 13 May 1869, Page 3

AN APRIL FOOL.

«, la the Ballarat Evening Mail we find an announcement of a rare occurrence in modern colonial times — an elopement. It would appear that a needy, calf-brained fortune-hunter, rejoicing in the possession of a very aristocratic name, and even more aristocratic connections, but whose finances were at the lowest ebb, and whose fortunes had apparently arrived at the lowest stage of descendancy, has, for several months past; been paying his addresses to a spirited and accomplished young lady, who, for the mere love of fun which could be derived from his

eccentricities and absurdities, pretended a feeling of reciprocity in this matter of the affections, and thus lured her victim to a declaration of his passion and the solicitation of her hand in marriage. So far so good. The young lady consented, and referred him to " papa," with whose assistance, however, the little minx had previously hatched as cunning a plot for the complete discomfiture of a fellow creature as we ever remember to have heard of being successfully developed, either here or elsewhere. The arrangement was, that upon being applied to, "papa" should indignantly refuse to aoco.de to the request of the ardent swain, who had, cf. course, begum to congratulate himself on having secured the hand and fortuue (a much more particular item) of the blooming lassie. The young lady's brother was then to interpose and suggest an elopement. This, of course, met with the approbation of our aristocratic friend, inasmuch as the fortune of his intended was secured to her unconditionally. All preliminaries being completed, it was arranged that Augustus should have a carriage in waiting at the head of Sturt street at nine o'clock in the evening of Thursday last (All Fools' Day), and that Amaryllis Angelina should meet and accompany him to the residence of a clergyman, who would unite them in the holy bonds of matrimony. All went smoothly enough until the ceremony had been performed, and the gushing young couple adjourned to another room to partake of refreshments. The bride had hitherto been deeply veiled, but now several friends of both parties were desirous of obtaining the precious " first kiss." The veil was removed, and discovered to the gaze of at least one thunder-struck spectator the lovely face of— no, not Amaryllis Angelina, but her brother. The discomfiture of the bridegroom when he discovered how completely he had been sold is a thing to be imagined, not described. We are not at liberty to mention names, but " papa" is a wealthy gentleman, well known in mining circles, and lives within fifty miles of Lake Wendouree. The young lady is an established favourite in the highest circles of society in Ballarat, and the brother is a well-known " lady killer."