The Sun.
London, England, 1858-01-08 00:00:00

ELOPEMENT EXTRAORDINARY IN
IRELAND.

The people of the country district between Lurgan
and Portadown were startled on Wednesday last by
the announcement that the daughter of .a wealthy
and respected farmer in their neighbourhood had
eloped with a labourer who has been in the employ-
ment of his married sister. The facts, as they have
come to our knowledge, are certainly astonishing,
and we sue no reason why they should not be laid
before our readers. The father of the young lady
is Mr. M'Clelland, who resides at Ross Cottage,
between the two towns abo►e mentioned, and he is
represented to be so comfortable in his circum-
stances, that he could give his daughter a marriage
portion of 1,0001. or 2,0001., should the man of her
choice secure his consent. In, August last his eldest
daughter, who is, we believe, over 30 years of
age, and has, like most ladies of her years, refused
several eligible offers, went on a visit to a younger
sistor, who was married, and resided not many
miles from her father's house. Here she made the
acquaintance of the partner of her flight, who
rejoices in the suggestive name of Wm. Cupples, and
has not seen more than 18 summers. Their young
hearts would appear to have been suddenly smitten
with each other's attractions, and the intimacy be-
tween them became closer in the absence of the
master and mistress of the house, who were away
travelling for health during the autumn, and on
their return home the " gay Lothario" cculd not
boar to think of losing for ever the society of the
object of his tender affections. Her father would
never, it was certain, consent to their union, but love
overleaped the social distinction between them, and
so they resolved on an elopement. Having come to
this determination, they seem to have made their
arrangements like people of the world—not like
people in love. The young lady returned to her
father's house, and having provided herself with
some additional clothing, proceeded on Wednesday
morning to Lisburn, whet o she was met by her
faithful swain, and both of them came into Belfast.
The elopement no sooner became known than the
most active measures were taken fur discovering the
fugitives. But Belfast does not seem to have been
thought of till yesterday, when Miss M'Clelland's
sister came into town and informed the police of
the occurrence. Now, police-officers are well known
to be the most matter-of-fact men in the world. It
is questionable whether any of them were ever really
in love ; or, if they were, it could not have affected
them as it does ordinary mortals. .At any rate, it
is proverbial that they have no sympathy with
lovers, however true; and, consequently, when
Inspector M'Kittrick, of the detective force, and
Constable Cardwell were entrusted with the duty
of discovering the parties, they set about the mat-
ter as if stolen pocket handkerchiefs, and not hearts,
were in question. It was soon discovered that
Cupples and Miss M'Clelland had taken up a tem-
porary residence with an acquaintance, one of the
men of the fire brigade, who, fortunately for them,
resides near the police-office. The police-officer
knocked at the door, and after some delay it was
opened. Miss M'Clelland was there, but where
was Cupples ? He was found concealed in the pig-
sty ! The young lady resolutely refuses to return
home, and avers that she would not take 6,0001. to
leave the man of her heart. It is not known what
further steps her relatives may take in the matter.
—Banner of Ulster.

Tait DUBLIN MILITIA.---The three divisions of this
regiment stationed at Bradford, Burnley, and Ashton.
under-Lyre, have been removed, by orders from the
Horse Guards, to Aldershot. It will be remembered
that these men have created disturbances in all the three
towns where they have been quartered—at Bradford and
Burnley using their bayonets freely. At Ashton they
had only their belts to use in the attack upon the inha-
bitants, and had the worst of the encounter, many of
them being severely handled of whom 12 were taken
before the magistrates and committed for trial. When
the news became public that orders had been received
from the Horse Guards to remove the regiment to Alder.
shot, it was understood that the three divisions of it
were to be first concentrated at Ashton, and the soldiers
stationed at the latter place expressed their determination
(when joined by their comrades from Burnley and Brad-
ford), to take a full revenge upon the inhabitants. In
consequence of this design becoming known to the autho-
rities, the Mayor of Ashton took steps on Wednesday to
avert the possibility of such a collision, by communicat-
ing with the officers of the regiment, and with Lieut.-
General Sir H. Smith, commandant of the district. The
result was that he took the precaution of sending a troop
of dragoons from Manchester to overawe any attempt of
the kind threatened, but the necessity of their presence
had been removed by the Ashton Militia being marched
from their barracks to the railway station at St.islybaegise,
instead of that of Ashton, where a train.waswin w
for them. By this manoeuvre the. soldie
ftedesipt as dis-
clear of the town (the barracks being
Ashton) and "' - regiments at
Stalybridge side of As . 0
of the
turbance avoided. The Port:: sent forward without
Bradford and Burnley were e
•topping at 11.8ht°1'. 'Wilted on the