The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-12
An Elopement In Tarrytown.
TARRYToWN. Feb %, 1914.

Mr. BENNETT
deem it my duty to inform you, as the faithful
chronicer of events, Of the funniest and most
ldughable affair that has occurred in quiet VII
lage since the days Of Ichabod Crane and old
Brom Zones. We have had an elopement-a
regular elopement. not woman carried oil by her
| own husband, as was the case with our neighbors
at Yonkers, but young lady of eighteen-beauii-
full fascinating accomplished, possessing "acres OF
charms has eloped with young lawyer OF your
city, and is, ere this, doubt the happy bride OF
her young hearts choice
The circumstances, as far as have been able TO
gather them, are these About five years, ago,
formerly your city, dled al
tune TO be divided between his four chlldren-two
sons and two daughters. Sometime during the last
winter, correspondence was Intercepted between
Merritt Van Wort, young lawyer OF this village,
aud the youngest, prelties, and favorte daughter,
Matilda. Now Merritt, like many young gen,
tlemen of his profession, had poverty to contend
with, which rendered him unpopular among Ger
tain class, to degree that even his gentlemanly
bearing and respectable professional qualities could
not overcome, though he could boast his descend
from one Of the choicest spirits of the revolution
| The brothers Benedict are highly aristocfanc III
their notions OF society, and have most sovereign
contempt for all who do not possess as much OF the
worlds gear as themselves, which is not at all TO
be wondered at, considering that their father was
the reverse of all this, and commenced the world
as an humble journeyman halter. What could ex.
coed the surprise OF these two young gentlemen, 10
think that a poor lawyer should attempt TO make
love to sister of theirs an heiress, too lhey
were furious, and burning with indignation, pro-
ceeded to the office of the presuniptious young
man and demanded the letters which he had re-
ceived from their sister, threatening to have the
same by fair means or foul before leaving the Of
flee; to which the counsellor merely replied that
the letters were in his pocket, and if they thought
they could get them, they might try II but gave
them due notice that there would be WORK Ior the
surgeon if they persisted. They finally, after much
threatening, left the office, telling their would be
brother in-law never TO- set foot upon their
premises, he never could marry sister OF theirs
without walking over one OF their dead BODIES
at least. The counsellor very pleasantly wished
them good morning and more sense tor future
use. MIR. Van Wort shortly after removed to your
city, yet Notwithstanding his distance from larry,
town, the most Wig! liant watch was kept upon an
the movements and actions of the unfortunate lair
one !; nor she suffered to leave the house eX-
cept in company with Some one OF the family. or
scarcely be out OF their sight up to last evening
-when hastily taking cup OF tea and leaving the
rest of the family at table, she stepped to the door
and vanished. Her absence soon alarmed the Ia
mily who instituted care iul and vigIlant search
some of them supposlng she had become weary OF
her restraint and set at naught the "canons against
selfsaughter,"' and every place that was cal
culated to facilitate so deplorable an event.
was duly searched, but no traces OF the lost
one could be obtained by the anxious family,
| and was informed that Counsellor Van Wort had
been in the village the whole day, and carriage
drawn by pair OF fast horses, which had been IN
the stable since morning, had left with single
gentleman, and driven at the very time when the
| young lady had made her exit. This cleared up
| the whole mystery. II was evident an elopement
had taken place, and such scene Of confusion and
hurry as was exhibited about the old mansion, Is
not often to be witnessed Every horse on the
plantation, sold Grey" included all the servants,
gardeners, retaners, poor relations, and all, were
ordered to scour the counry in different directions
| in quest of the fugtives but what the Instructions
were in case any should overtake them, we are not
| informed. The villagers laughed, Tor knowing
| the spirit and physical power of the counsellor,
they felt assured that if any OF the pursuing party
should overtake him, they would walk right
straight up to hm'and et:him alone" But all pur-
suit was in vain, the fast horses seeming to know
the value OF the freight, flew like the windtowards
New York, which soon discouraged sold Grey's'
rider, for the further he proceeded the further he
found, on enquiry, the fugtives were ahead OF him.
| The gentleman who lett the Franklin House IN
the carriage, soon returned 10 the village on foot,
and took lodgings at Smiths hotel, having, as Is
supposed, resigned the sole use of the carriage TO
| the runaways; no doubt dehcately considering his
presence there like The fifth wheel to wagon.
| And so the matter rested till this evening, when
Nose Wilson and the tobacco boy, who were sent
to explore the domiclls of the different clergymen,
returned from New York, and made report, that
| the lovers had made arrangements to get married
at Yonkcrs, and stopped there Tor that purpose, but
| not finding the clergyman at home, had hurried on
towards New York, where our informant met the
happy bridegroom in the Bowery, about ten O'Clock
this morning, who informed them that he felt very
comfortable, and that Mrs. Van Wort was as well
as could be expected after her late journey Thus
ends the matter But how the young lady was
made acquainted with the arrangements OF her
lover to carry her off, still remains mystery
| though, as Mr. John Decker was seen promenadlng
with the counsellor for an hour or more yesterday
afternoon, in full view of the back wi ndow OF the
prison house of the fair dulcinea, it is rumored
tina, ne knows more about the affair than many OF
his neighbors. II.