Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-11-18
CURIOUS CASE OF .aBDUcToM

Wnlcn mas just Occu1Ieu W io'hs""N, ~ ~
grace novel. The hero is a groom, courted
by his masters daughters; and his courage
and determination towards the close OF the ev-
entTul history prove that his discretion and dis
trust at the commencement were caused by nc
lack OF manly spirit. About nine months age
Mr.. Charles Brook, n wealthy American mer-
chant, came to settle with his family, a wife
and two daughters, lat Mirtield. Among the SER
wants, employed as boots or occasional groom,
was Benjamin Hall; 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 il until he had
finished his task. The youth did not suspect
her feelings, but was often heard 10 complain
of her conduct, because, he said, il seemed ms
if he could not do his duty without being
watched. At length Miss Brook employed a
more direct language than that Of the eye she
contrived to impart her feelings 10 Benjamin,
and to inspire him with return oil affection
overcoming some scruples which he entertained,
she persuaded him to consent to their mar
rage, and she furnished him on Saturday Tort
night, with the means to purchase license.
For the sequel we borrow the words Of the
Leeds Times.
son Sunday evening, the day following, Miss
Brook took an airing in the phaetOn alone, her
Adonis being the driver here the license was
that the marriage should take place on Tuesday
the second instant Early in the morning of
that memorable day, they accordingly arose:
Benjamin, with his fair ones assistance, pre-
pared a horse and gig from his masters stables,
into which they sprang like lightning, and
drove oft about 4 clock by circuitous route to
the ancient village of Bistral, unperceved by
any OF the family or servants. They arrived
at the Black Bull Inn little before O'Clock.
where they remained till eight: they then
proceeded 10 the church and the marriage was |
duly soemnized by the Rev. w. Head, the
Vicar. After the ceremony was over, they |
again returned to the Black Bull Inn. In the
mean time, the family at Mirlield arose as usu-
al, and seated themselves at the breakfast table:
but the young Jady's place was empty; maid
was therefore despatched to her lodging-room
10 fetch her; but instead of bringing Miss
Brook, she brought the following laconc note
from her dressing table: "Dear mamma-pray
don't be alarmed am only gone to get mar
red." This of course put the whole house in
ferment; and Messrs Geo. Mitchell (of the
Yew Tree, )-.Fearnsde and Farburn, and
other neighbors were called in and sent in quest
Of The lugtives. BIistal, being about three
miles Distant was thought to be the destination
of the lovers. Mr.. Mitchell arrived first on
horseback and proceeding 10 the Black Bull
Inn, found them in the travellers room. The
bridegroom bid him good morning;' and OBJ
served, had you been here half an hour ago,
you would have Just been in time for the we'd
ding 'Whatn said he in rage, SIS il overT
and darting out of the room, went TO the Vi
car 10 ascertain the fact. Mr.. Head assured
him that it was true: remarking, 4 have only
just returned from the church, 'And cannot
you, them replied Mr.. Mitchell, undo what
you have done:' 'No, SIR observed Mr..
Head, smiling; if could do so | should have
plenty OF work. Mr.. NJ. then returned to the
Inn; where he found the other gentlemen,
who had arrived in phaeton. An attempt was
then made to part those whom God had Join
ed together by giving the bridegroom into
custody on the charge Of stealing the horse
and gig. This was too much for the young
Lahy's equanimity. She then stood forth
and said in tone Of great anger, mo, gentle
men; Benjamin is now my husband, he was
then my fathers servant, and in taking the
horse and gig he only obeyed my commands
Then turning to her husband, and presenting
him with her gold watch and pursa, she said,
'here, take these; they might as well charge
you wish stealing them The charge, then,
of course, fell to the ground; and all parties for
several hours sat in sullen silence save the !
signs and sobbings Of the afflicted lady. At
length Benjamin, whom we shall call Mr.
Hall, rose and said to his wife and his brother e.
"a minor who had been engaged to give the
laly in marriage,) Come, let us now 90
in frantic manner, 'if you attempt to move,
will shoot you; and 'il you attempt to do that,
sail Mr.. HALLS brother, Il will knock YOU down.
accommodating his fist to the expressions and
again all became seated and silent While I
things remained in this state, the young ady's ]
father (who had only just returned from Liver |
pool) arrived at the inn. Upon his entering 1
The room' Mrs. Hall Immediately rose, and
curtesying, seized him by the hand; and. af- {
Ter complaining bitterly of the conduct of the
individuals present, stated her warm attach
nent to her BENJAMIN. After Mrs. Hall had
lone speaking, all again became silent for
considerable time. Al length, some refreshments 1
were ordered, and more concatory policy
adopted. 1t was ultimately and mutually
igeed that they should all return to Mirfehi, y
and see it they could accommodate matters. :,
Accordingly, at night, the horses, phaeton, and !
zig, were brought OUT, and the party started y
'ff for Mrti-d; Mr.. Hall being between two of T.
he gentlemen in the phaeton, and Mrs. Hall be- ~
ng between the other two in the gig. They -
arrived at Mried at ten O'Clock, and the phaeton y
turned up the leading road to Mr. Brooks res r.
dence AT this moment Mr.. Hall turned his j.
head, and perceived that the gig, containing II
ms ,any, was proceeding at rapid rate on the
road towards HudIersfeId; upon which he
'prang from between his companions, and
crossed the field to overtake the gig and as :
he approached he called out whoa, who'll and 2
The horse, knowing the voice of its former in L
ingent keeper, Immediately stood still and oh i
stinately refused to bulge. The young lady's c
keepers hearing Mr.. Hall approach, took her e
from the gig into an adjoining house (Mr s.
Shaw's,) her indignant husband following and S
fighting his way through the door and passage
Of the house. They, however, managed 10 c
cause him to be obstructed and detained, while &C.,
they got her through the window, screaming
piteouslyi, and placed her again in The gig and
drove off ,
This circumstance reached the ears of Mr.