A Bold Baron.

NZ Truth, Issue 63, 1 September 1906, Page 7

A Bold Baron.

The financial question m connection with the marriage of Baron Francis Eiedl von Ridenall (secretary of the Austrian Embassy m Rome) and Miss Louise Magee, of Pittsburg, was satisfactorily settled, and the happy couple were married on Thursday (says an American correspondent of an English exchange). The ceremony was the most important Society event m Pittsburg since that of<*Miss Alice Thaw and the Earl of Yarmouth, when, by the way, the nuptials were delayed, owing, it was said, to the marriage settlement not being effected on the part of the lady's family. On this occasion the Baron's first claim was a million dollars; but he struggled eventually to the altar for two hundred and fifty thousand. An unkind poet included this m his report of the courtship:—

"Hear me! Hear me!" cried the baron as

upon his knees he fell; "Most enchanting of all maidens, I- have learned to love you well. Do not spurn me, do not leave me; listen to my plea, I pray, . For I love you, though I never saw your via=_ age till to-day! I've a title that is ancient— listen, listen,

maiden fairLeave me not to writhe m anguish and to perish m despair! For five hundred thousand dollars you may have me — since I'm broke — And we'll close the deal m Pittsburg, dear old Pittsburg of the smoke."

"Half a , million ?" cried her mother, "we could, get an earl for that! No, it's useless; I will give you just two hundred thousand flat! Ah, dear baron, say you'll take it — there's a darling! Won't the folk Be astonished back m Pittsburg, dear old Pittsburg of the smoke 1"

On her mother's neck the daughter wept for happiness, for glee, And the baron stood and watched her — 'twas a moving sight to see — And that mother said, half-sobbing, "Baron, you can be dead sure That you're picking off a treasure who is innocent and pure !" But the baron merely answered, being much inclined to weep: "I somehow can't help believing that you're getting me too cheap; Come, let's get the family jewels where I have the same m soak, Then we'll pnwdly start for Pittsburg, dear old Pittatau-jt of tha amoka,'-