Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-01

believe Tunbridge Wells. He further ascer-
tanned that the elopement had its origin entire.
ly ia love impression; his young fricnd had,
indeed, no opportunity previously OF knowing
what were her high expectations. The lady's
mother, who. was her guardian, as well as her
natural protector, tremblingly alive to the i'm
porance of her charge, had maintained over
her the most rigid Surveillance; the more so, as
she suspected that an attachment existed, al
though she did not know the Character or ia
mily OF the lover With the exception Of half
an hour in the morning, the old lady had her
eye constantly on her daughter; but as love
laughs at guardians, as well as at locksIniths,
availed himself Of, and succeeded in making
favorable impression on the lady'S heart. The
mother had her suspicious, and her apprehen-
sions, and to avert the dreaded consequences,
hurried her daughter from place to place, trust
ing, full surely, that the stranger would, losing
the scent, abandon all further pursuit, and leave
her and her charge in tranquil security to await
the addresses Of some less mysterious sultor.-
lie, however, conlrived to discover their move
ments and pursued them from place TO place.
At length the mother fixed herself and her
daughter in lodgings at -, and having lost
light of the object Of her dread, began to con-
graduate herself on her good deliverance. But
how vain are often our most sanguine expecta-
tons! The young man had taken up his quar-
ters directly opposite the house which contain
ed the object ofns affections, but SO complete
y disguised that he was not recognised except
by the fair lady herself, who, during the accus
toned haif hour when her guardians precau-
tons relaxed, gave her lover opportunities oil
improving The impressions he had made. Dur
ing very short sojourn at this place, Mr..
Wakefield had the address to gain over all the
servants his interest; and one morning when
the old lady was absent for short tine, chase
and four drove up to the door, followed by
gig In the Chaise was handed, with great
ceremony, Mr.. WaketisId's man servant and
the young kdy's maid, both gentecly dressed.
And while this vehicle drove off with the blinds
up, by one road, with all possible despatch, urg-
ed by The apparent anxiety of the inmates, Mr..
w leisurely, and without any show Of grandeur,
handed his FAIR charge into the sig, and drove
off in the opposite direction. The old lady was
soon appraised that her bird Of paradise had
flown: she got horses put 10 her carriage, and,
as might be expected, a contamination devont-
ly wished by the lovers drove up in pursuit oil
the chaise, in hopes Of overtaking the fugitive.
She had not, however, hurried far on the road,
before some part of her carriage was broke
down, and though the breakage was not attend
ed with any danger, it was found that the veh-
Gle was unfit to proceed. And here the lady
obtained piece of information not much cal
culated 10 allay the vexation occasioned by this
accident al so critical a moment. On ineuirng
into the probable cause Of the accident, and TAX
inc the servant 10 task for some supposed neg
lect. he informed her that Mr. Wakefield (who
it appears was anxious tnat the Ola iady should
not oyer-fa!igue herself in the chase) "had been
DOING something TO the carriage the night be-
FORE" and this accounted for the mishap which
had occurred
Meantime, the lovers drove on in dubious
direction, and were soon beyond the reach Of
the mothers pursuit. I o prevent all trace of
their rout, MIR. Wakefield disposed Of his gig
at neghboring place, and from that time their
Journey throughout was one OF the most roman
tic and adventurous in the records OF hymeneal
fueacity Their funds were but slender when
they started, and Mr. Wakefield dared not to
write for supply to his father, who was not
cognizant Of the transaction, and might inter
pose to prevent the match. They had not pro-
ceeded far before ne found that price was set
upon his head; advertisements and pacards
were put out all over the country, giving des-
cripton Of his person as the abducer Of an heir
ess and ward in Chancery, and offering large
reward for his apprehension: and at every turn
they dreaded he appearance Of peace officers,
and the nterrogalories OF all whom they met
1t was their first purpose, no doubt, TO hasten
direct towards Gretna; but this information in
duced them, lest they should be discovered, to
travel almost al random, selecting, however; the
most unfrequented by-roads, petty towns, villa
ges and hamlets; and they thus traversed the
whole country, making an occasional stretch
northward Their funds were soon so low that
they had no longer the means Of riding post,
even had favorable opportunity occurred
Their difficulties increased daily, but their spi-
rits, it appears, bore up against them; and the
young lady, who, it might be said, had never
before been required to place her foot upon the
ground beyond short walk, and had enjoyed
the ease and comfort Of a carriage even when
she took an airing, was now reduced to the ne
cessity Of walking many long mile on the pub
lie road with her companion On some occa
sions they were together on the top of coach
or wagon, and they rested at the most humble
houses of entertainment on the way side. In
this manner and partaking of the most COM
mon fare, they journied for many hundred miles
together, during period Of three ,ceeks, until
their dress, their funds, and almost their hopes
were reduced TO the lowest. The unmurmur-