The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-14

II hOmANGE AND hEALlTf.-It we Tcmems
Der right, we copied, some time ago, from
Boston paper, an account of a runaway affair,
in which brave girl, and coward lover were
the principal characters. The scene was
ferry-time, Underwater; and the point Of the
story was, that the fearful lover had not cou-
rage enough to trust his precious person to
the fcrry-boat, and the dangers Of the ice
encountered stream, although exhorted and
stimulated by the examples Of his intended,
for whom angry waves and floating masses Of
ice had no terrors when matrimony and the
residence of clergyman, on the opposite
bank, were full in view. She was willing to
dare the perils Of the voyage, bnt his nerves
were weak and at length, with just con-
tempt for lover SO cowardly, she gave him
his dismissal on the spot, and with her brides
maid returned, unmarried, to the house Of her
guardian, whose opposition to the match had
driven her to the choice of an elopement.
Another number Of the far west' paper,
in which the story first appeared, has found its
way to the Atlantic borders and in it we find
the sequel of the tale, which we give in the
language Of the writer; who, by the way, AYERS
with all solemnity, that it is no coinage Of the
brain, but strict though quite poetical reality.
The story is related by correspondent Of the
Backwoodsman, published somewhere in ILL
nois-.N Y. Com.
You will remember enclosing to me, about
two months after the story appeared in the
Backwoodsman, letter from young man in
Boston, earnestly requesting to be made ac-
quainted with her name and residence, If"
as he expressed it, I" she has local habitation
and a name, and the account is not the coin
age Of some fertile imagination"
gave him the information he requested,
and the whole affair passed entirely from my
mind, except when recalled by seeing the
story copied into the various periodicals Of the
day. .."
Shortly after business called me to Galena,
where remained till within the last four
weeks. Twas descending to st. Louis with
cargo of lead, and delayed the steamer nearly
an hour at the landing, where the lovers cross
ed the Mississippi last winter. While taking
on board and landing freight, received po-
lite note, signed by lady, who requested me
to call upon her in the cabin of the Fulton,
another boat, which was receiving passengers
and freight. l accepted the invitation, and to
my surprise, was met at the door by my old
acquaintance, the heroine of the runaway
match. Selling me eagerly and affectionately
by the hand, she introduced me to Mr.. -,
as her HUSBAND! / was taken by sur
prise, but in a moment recovered my self
possession, and cordially accepted the profier
ed hand. l Instantly recollected that his name
was that of the young gentleman Of Boston,
whose letter of inquiry l had received from
you, and answered. "
will spare you the incidents of their first
acquaintance. 1t is sufficient to say that he
came to Illinois Immediately after receiving
my letter-obtained an introduction to Miss
- and presented to her guardian unques-
tonable evidence of his good character, the
high standing and wealth of his family. In
short he won her heart and hand, with the full
appreciation of her prudent guardian.
sportively asked her why she did not wait
till the ice ran in the river, when she could
make trial Of the courage and disiatcrested-
ness of her caro- spousa. She cast look
filled with tenderness and confidence upon her
husband, and said in playful manner. ~
urged Edward to wait till winter, but he ,could
not.'
They were on their way to Boston