Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-10-24


James G. Bennett, N Y, Herald, $500
James lanes Wat Watson Webb Ito be added)
James Brooks, dc
NJ. NJ. Noah, do
The blanks will be filed as soon as the contribu-
tiens are made. Till then, wait.
The Latc Tragedy in Philadelphia.
The RISE AND PRoGREss OF THE CoURTsHIP.-
Having brought the history of the principal actors in
this sad story down to the period when the acquain-
lance commenced between Mr.. Peak and Miss
Wood, proceed to detail the incidents connected
with their curious courtshp. Mr.. Woods store, be
it remembered, consisted Of the buildings Nos and
2, in the Arcade; Mr.. Peak had boot store in the
Arcade nearly opposite that Of Mr.. Woods. He was
in the habit Of visiting Mr.. Woods store two or
three times day to obtain refreshments, such as
Coffee Cakes confec ionary, ice cream, &c In fact,
Mr. Peak assured that for long time say for the
last three or four years, there scarcely day,
that he did visit Mr.. Woods store three or four
times. This was the commencement Of their unfor-
tunate acquaintance, by which young and lovely
girl had been brought to an untimey grave, and a
worthy and happy family rendered wretched for the
remainder their days.
MIR. Peak says that from the earliest period Of his
acquaintance with Miss Wood, he became violently
attached her. and determined obtain her. if pos
ness pertinacity and want Of delicacy that she was
violently in love with him for two three years be-
fore he discovered it. On the other hand, he says
that for that length Of tme often he At empted
any advances towards her, in the least manner aP-
preaching familiarity, transgressg the bounds of
the most Distant reserved and civil friendship, she
would invariably stop him Short" Ito his own
words), and tell him distinctly that she could neither
allow nor listen to any thing Of the kind
At the same time we have the assurance Of Mrs.
Pennel (the female confidant and bosom friend Of
Miss Woody that up to the last six eight months
before her death, Miss Wood cared little nothing
for Mr.. Peak; and that il Miss Wood had enjoyed
the common opportunities usually possessed by
young ladies for cuivating the acquaintance Of the
opposite sex, there were forty fifty young men
who wou have proposed for her, and ali of whom
she would have preferred to Mr.. Peak. Of this we
think there be doubt; because OF the discrep
ancy between the age OF her and Peak; his deicien
cy in education, address, personal appearance, and
every thing calculated to win the affections Of fine
young girl Mrs Pencil, too, we are bound to be
ieve implicitly; she is young excellent, and ntelli
gent lady; her maiden name was also Sarah Anne
Wood (though no relation to tn. deceased); she
lived for some time in the house Of Mr. Wood, to
assist in the cake business possessed the entire and
unrestrained confidence of the deceased lady; and
has all the ready tact and delicate Discrimination Of
a well bred woman, in detecting the state Of the
heart Of one Of her And although il may at first
sight appear difficult and almost impossible to
reconcile this statement with the letter and &C
tons Of Miss Wood to be detailed presently; yet
it fact that she yielded to the repeated imporu
mites OF Mr. Wood, and not 10 any strong predilec-
tons possessed for him at any distant period II is
recorded Of Saviour that he said, a IL ask
admittance into your house at night, you will refuse
his request once and Often but by Of his inn
portunlty, II he persists, You will arise and let him
In" And such was precisely the situation Of poor
Miss Wood. She would not and did not desire to
surrender her affections to Mr. Peak for four years.
bat ~ of his importantly for the best part Of
49, he .t1 hnr k..~ k,... 49,.
and life.
Peak states that for two or three years matters
went on in this uncertain kind Of way; he knew she
was far above him in every respect he despaired Of
obtaining her, and he neglected his business. al
became kind o'wretched," says he; I" l went round
aud about, and didn't do much for myself any
body; Ididn'tdrnk because when I'm in trouble drink
acts sort OF emetic TO did 90 10 play at bill
lizards where there might have been that gambed
and that's why they said was connected with gam.
blers. was connected with them by making boots
far em and so GA, and that's why I'm represented
But was kiad o doing no good to myself nor
body, and I'D kind o. mind 90 leave the place and
20 some where else But then about two years ago,
that was about the time Wood moved iaio his new
store in Chestnut street, received what thought
kind O. encouragement from Saray Ann, and so
concluded not to 20 away, but TO try little more.
Besides, about this time | tried another way, by
going s the new store and taking young girls on nv
arm, and then could see the effect this had on Sa-
ray Ann. Besides, there most beautiful young
girl living at the house where boarded that at
Mrs. M'Cuen's, - Powell street: the girl was her
daughter by her first husband; she was a most as
smiablc and lovely, and beautiful young girl all
in Philadelphia; pretter than Sapy Ann Wood
I thought all the world of her; and would mar.
ried her; but about the time thought Saray Ann
was coming round, this young lady engaged her
self 20 be married 90 one Of the boarders In the
house. When she told me this IL gave such shock
I didn't know what 10 do; begged her 10 postpone
the marriage for a month, and she did, and If had
said but one word she would have married me then,
for she and her mother thought all the world o.
but in that month Saray Ann and finally concluded
TO decide on matters, and so Mrs. M 'Cuens daugh.
ter married the gentleman, the boarder, she had
| gagged herself 20, after the month up. But
wish now that had concluded to marry her myself.
| These are Peaks words taken down from his own
lips; and this statement il will be puts en-
tIrely new and curious aspect upon the face Of this
strange affair. And the singular incidents con
pected with the whole OF this critical part Of the
transaction are highly important; as upon them
hinge all the subsequent events; and ~ none living
| but Mr.. Peak could supply them, we shall again
give him the full benefit Of his ewn statement Of the
transaction, taken down aforesaid IL seems, that
4 for some three months previous to the denouement
mentioned above; peak says for longer time, but
| Mrs Pencil says for not so long,) Peak had per.
suaded Miss W God 20 rise about six o'clock in the
spring mornings and take short walk, she always
returning to the house before seven, as the family
shcs IL Peak - had