Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-10-13

perhaps, have heard something Of the
facts in relation to an interesting and
highly exciting affair which occurred
some year or two since, at Seabrook,
N. H., the parties to which are Mr.. j.
VI. Pettingiil, publisher ofthe Village
Transcript at Atnesbury; Mr.. John Nc
Gregor, young man from the Gland
lo'cakes," and at the time a sub-con-
or on the Eastern Railroad; and last,
out not least in our story, Miss Emily
5. Browne, far and interesting young
lady, the daughter Of a substantial citi-
zen Of Seabrook. It appears that, for
a considerable period anterior 10 that
on which this affair happened, an init
macy and. honorable intercourse had
subsisted between Mr.. Pettingill and
the young lady in question, which, so
far at least as was known, was both a.
greeab!e and reciprocal, and which had
continued 50 up 10 the time when this
Mr.. McGregor, in pursuance Of his vo-
cation as railroad contractor, took up
his residence in the family Of Mr.. Brow
ne, the father Of the young lady, who
lived on the line Of the road. About
this time, and after Mr.. McGregor
{who, by the way, was a high NAM
had resided several months in the fam
lily Of Mr.. Browne, Mr.. Pettingill came
to the conclusion that he would get
m orgied. For this purpose he consui-
ted with Miss Browne, who expressed
her entire willingness to Join her hand
and her fortunes with his, and that, too,
without delay. The parents, too, were
consulted, their sonsent obtained, and
thus all the necessary preliminaries We're
adjusted. Everything thus far prom
ised well, at least to the vision of Mr..
pettingill. Furniture and other neeess
sary appendages were Immediately pur-
chase-a residence was selected by the
lady herself-the wedding garments
were bespoken-and even the happy
day itself-the banns having been pre-
vious}y published-a day which was
to render complete all their joys, and
consummate their happiness here be-
low, by the tying of the nuptial knot
this day even was appointed By the
lady herself!
But aIasi for all human joy and
blissl How soon was the cup of JOY
and happiness to be dashed to the
ground, leaving nothing bat the bitter
dregs Of disappointment and sorrow
to the expectant bridegroom! But The
perGdy, and treachery, and deceit of q
beautiful young lady! What shall OF
can be said in eXtenuation OF such eX-
traordinary conduct? Sorry are we tc
say, that truth, as well as the decision
Of a high judicial tribunal, answer
nothing whatever. The facts, as they
are known, and as they Were DISCLOSED
at the trial, were, that at this very tins
when the engagement was entered IN
10 and sanctioned by Miss Browne her
self, and the arrangements making t
celebrate. the wedding with Petungll.l
she was encouraging the addresses ane
keeping the company Of the Scotch
man, and finally the day before sht
was TO have been married to Mr.. Pet
tingill, she quit her fathers residence
at midnight, and eJoped aoih NJ Greg
or to-.A;sss YORK., asllefe they acre gsar-
RED!
Such are the facts, briefly, Of thi;
extraordinary affair. The residue il
soon told. After spending the '1hon
ey moon in New York, NIcGregor ant
his 'Sfady love" returned 10 SeabTook
In the mean time Nj. Pettingill, feel
inc, as would naturally be expected
! that he had been most unhandsomel,
treated, and that his conduct and mo
tives had been misrepresented and un
i fairly condemned by the really guilt,
parties, resolved to avail himself Of tn
protection Of the law, and to seek in
Icourt Of Justice that satisfaction an(
vindication Of himself, which be wa
denied elsewhere. Immediately, there
fore. upon the return of Mcdregor,
laspit was instituted against him, tn
damages being laid 1T 50, 600, Thl
was upwards Of a year since, bat ow
ing to some neglect in procuring tn
evidence Of the marriage Of McGrego
70 Miss Browne, the case was decree
Ito the term Of the Common Pleas Court
which is now in session at Exeter
where it was called, progressed in, an'
/ finished on Monday last, the result Q
4 which was, verdict for Mr.. Pettingill
! with $1,000 danaagesl
1t may be remarked, in conclusion
{ that this verdict has given very genera
i satisfaction in the community wher
the facts are known. This is a move
case-the first ofthe kind that has eve
hapdened in New Hampshire, or Per
Ehaps in New England, as we are as