The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-05-01

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therefore do npprehend thee;-
Lay hold upon him ; if he does resist,
Snbdue him at his peril.
A handdbill was this morning circulated through
out the city Offering reward of FIVE HUNDRED DOL
LARS for the apprehension OF Capt Bristol, Com
mander OF the James Madison, one OF The most
magnificent steamboats, on the western waters. We
road the handful with the most pure and perfect
astonlshment, for it described the gallant Captain
villain ofthe blacklist kind, in short "A modern
Othello, who had been guilty ofrobbing grey
headed parent ola beloved daughter, the ornament
and consolation Of his declining years. We peius-
ed the statement of the fact with cold shudders the
simple and touching eoquence of the handful NOV
ed our hearts, but when we glanced at the magic
al words FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS reward, we felt
an intense glow Of holy horror and dSinteresed in
dgnaton, which utterly conquered all our habits Of
selt-Command.-We was il for Capt Bristol that
in that moment of vrluous sympathy he was
not within grasp.
The true circumstances ofthis most singular case,
are, we believe, as follows: ....
Captain Bristol, and a young lady of Erie, Pa,
had formed an attachment, succeeded by matrimo
NAL engagement, which was at this time approved
by the father of the young lady This old gentle
man, who, by his excentric conduct, has secured
to himselfa niche IN the history OF some future
elist is Mr.. Hanoi, the wealthiest and of
the most respectable citizens of Erie.
lie approved Of the engagement Of his daughter,
and nothing seemed wanting to brighten the pros.
n,
she dev0tedly attached to her lover and con.
fdent in his truth. lie, too, if we rightly in
formed worthy Of her love, and under the en-
enlargement Of her father, their union consid-
Il matter of certainty.
But alas the dreams which they chad formed,
were destined to vanish and like bright bub-
bles TO melt and fade away in air. Some honest
Iago, envious of our heros good fortune, wrote to
Mr. Hamot, an anony nous note, IN which he traduc-
cd the character of Capt Bristol, and among other
ella rtalf hat he Ua ma led ma nd
that his wife was still living in one of tho eastern
states. The old gentleman, ever alive to the vel
fare of his daughter, swallowed the story with too
easy creduty and at once ordered his daughter to
discharge her lover. This however was not ca
silly effected and, in the mean time, Captain
Bristol wrote hs native State, and procured from
the most respectable individuals, letters establish
ing his reputation and exculpaiing him from the
malicious ISLANDERS of his assassin lke-enemy. But
all of 40 all. The old man not TO be APP
peased.
la this state, matters remained some time, the
parties still retained their undated affection, and
the old man persisted in his anger and obstnacy.
hat the result would be, it would be very difficult
10 onjecture the daughter would probably be
dsinherited lfshe dsoDeyed her father commands ;
and such sacrifices OF interest are often recorded
in works of romance, yet they do not suilic-
enty often, IN reality, to form the foundation of
very confident belief
Such was The aspect of affairs, when, few eve
nings since cotlon was given at Erie, at which
ent. Among others, our unfortunate lovers were
there and even their sadness seemed dspelled by
the gaety of the scene.
Late that hight spectator would have observed
something rather suspicious in the movements of
the James Madison, which was lying in the port of
Erie. The people on board of her seemed to be get
ting up steam and making every preparation for de-
parture. This very strange, for it was unsea-
sonable hour Of the night; and their was neither
passengers freight OH board the boat. AT length
"A lady "A
great haste, and having stepped on board, the boat
was loosed from her moorings, and shot out upon
the dark and quiet surface of the Lake, The Madi-
it will be rec0lected is the largest boat
western waters and in spendor and power, is well
fitted for the floating palace of rover, and IA row
er's bride. The young and beautiful girl, had O.
Hoped with the gallant Captain, and they we've alone
on the
In a few hours, the father discovered the plot.
His daughter gone. The whole population of
Erie was in blaze oieXctement But what could
be dono7
Far of the fugitive steamboat was disappearing
speck, and her black columns of smoke fading 10 a
thin, and almost imperceptible wreath in the dis
lance, My daughter Oh my daughter.
But remedy near at hand. 1t appeared
that the Madison had leii port without procuring
her clearance ut the Custom House. The Revenue
Gutter, was lying at Erie, and of her officers
was forthwith made acquainted with the fact He
Immediately repair red on board the fast sailing steam
boat Jefferson, then also lying at Erie and procee-
ded in chase of the fugitiyes.
Was there ever more curious spectacle than
was there exhibited? The elopement of Allied
Jingle, and pursuit of old Worde in the posi- chaise
was nothing 10 it, The Madison put to the top
Of her speed, for the Jefferson has carried Tho
broom, ON our lake, and it must be swift cruz
ser that overhauls her. The design of Captain
Bristol was to enter the port of Ashtabula, and
there to be united TO the object of his love. For
his therefore both vessels heading. The
NJ adison first arrived and Capt. Bristol and the la
iy proceeded to the office of the nearest magistrate
Unfortunately however the county clerk from whom
marriage licenses are procured resided in another
own, and in The necessary delay occasioned by !
ms circumstance, the Jefferson approached the
narbor.
The only remedy now left was to start the Madi-
son Immediately from port to induce the officer of
he Jefferson to pursue her again into the alike,
while the Captain and bis promised bride should
eman on shore. This was accordingly DONE but
he ruse did not succeed. The gentlemen ofthe rev.
'nue were accustomed to the tricks OF snugglers
md were determined to make seizure. The par
on board the Jefferson proceeded at once land
md the fugitive lady was Immediately arrested.
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