Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-10-13
IT z Ms O f c HOICE
CURIOUS CASE OF ABDUCTION:

About nine months ago. MIR. Charles
Brook, sUealtAy American merchant,
came 10 settle with his family, wife and
Two daughters, al Mifie!d.-Among the
servants, employed as ''boots'' o. occa-
sional groom, was Benjamin Ball; for
whom the elder Miss Brook, twenty
three years of age, conceived an ardent
passion. Whenever he was at work IN
the yard. she watched him from one Of
the windows and she never left it un.
iii he had finished his task. The youth
did net suspect her feelings. but was of
ten heard to complain of her conduct. be-
cause, he said, ut seemed as If he could
not do his duty without being watched. "
AT length Miss Brook employed a
more direct language than that ol the
eve she contrise'! to impart her feeling
10 Benz amin. and to inspire him with a
return Of affection !: overcoming some
scruples which he entertained. she per-
suaded him to consent to their marriage:
and she furnished him on Saturday fort
night, with The means 20 purchase Ii
cense. For the sequel we borrow the
words of the Leeds Times:
son Sunday evening, the day follow
i,g. Miss Brook took an airing in' the
phaton alone; her Adonis being the drl-
yer: here the license was du' y conned o.
yer, and it was finally arranged that the
marriage shoald take place on Tuesday,
the second instant. Early liz the mora.
ing OF that memorable day, they accord
in4ly arose Benjamin, with bis fair ones
mid prepared a horse and zig, from his
masters stables. into which they sprans
like lightning, aud drove eff about four
O'Clock. By Il cirtuitous route to the an
Gent village Of Bistral, nnprceiEe'i BY a.
ny ef the family or servants. -i'i~y ar
rived at the BLACK Pail Inn little be-
fore seven o'clock, where they remained
Till eight /: they lien praeeedea 10 church ;
and the marriage was duly so'emniZeJ by
the Rev. W. ileall, the wear, After the
ceremeay was oyer they again retained
IN the Black Bull Inn. in the mean
time, the family at Mi;field arose as usu-
al, and seated themselves at the break
fast table /; but the young lady's place
was empty maid vas therefore de.
spatched to her lodging room but in
stead of bringing Miss Brook. she bruught
the following laoNaic note FOR her dress
ed table: Bear Mamna--pray don't be
alarmed. am only gone to get married.
This of course put the whole house i'll a
ferment ; and AIessrs. George Mitchell!
tof tine Yew Trees - Fearnsides, and
Fairburn, and other neishbors, were call
ed in, and sent in quest Of the fueltives.
BirstaI, being about three miles distant.
was thought to be the destination Of the
lovers. Mr.. Mitchell arrived first On
horseback /; and proceeding to the Black
Bull Inn, found them in the tr,nellers'
room. The bridegroom bid him good
morning > and observed, 'had you been
here half an hour ago. you would have
been just IN time for the wedding.
What y said he in rage us ii over!'
and darling GU: ol the room went TO sthe
vicar to ascertain the fact. Mr.. iieald
assured him that it was true: remarking,
Il have only Just retained from the
church. And cannot you. then,a repti-
ed Mr.. Mitchell, undo what YOU have
done p No sir observed Mr.. Heald,
smiling If could do so should have
plenty of work. Mr. II. then returned
TO the Inn; where he found the other
gentlemen, who had arrived in phaton
An attempt was then made to part Those
whom God had joined together by Civ
ing the bridegroom into custody on the
charge Of stealing the horse and gig,
This was too much for the young latiy's
equanimity. She then stood forth, and
SAID in a tone Of great anger, No gen
tlemen BEN amin is now my husband.
he was then my fathers servant, and III
taking the horse and gig he only obe,yct
my commauds.' Then, turning to hel
husband. and presenting him with he;
gold watch and purse, she said. Here.
take these they might as well charge
you with stealing them The eitarg,
then. of course. fell to the ground ans
al! parties for several hears sat in suler
silence. save the sishs and sobbnss o
the afflicted Indy. At length Benjamin
whom we shall call Mr.. Hall, rose an,
said to his wife and his broiher "a n,ino
who had been engaged to give the lady il
rnarriage,) Gene, let US now 20 home.
Upon which Mr.. Fearnsides exclaimed
in a frantic manner, III you attempt Il
move, | will shoot vou > and. If YOU at
tempt to d, that said Mr.. Ha!l's trath
cr, 8 ! vii! knock you down. accommo
dating his fist to the expression: ard a
gain all became seated aud siIeat. Will
things remauei in this state. the yoan
lady's father (who had only just return
ed from i.lserpoo') arrived at the inn
Upon his en- eiIng the room, Mrs. iAaI
Immediately rose, and courtseving. seize
him bv the h,rd f; and. after complain
ing Bit erIv of the conduct Of the iHdi,i
duals present, stated her warm attach
meni 10 her I'erj,min. After Mrs. ll4
had done speaking. all again becom
silent for considerable lime. Al len.tF
some refreshments were ordered. and
concilatory policy adopied. 1t was al
timately and mutually agreed that the
should all return 10 MrtieId. and see i