Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-03
From the Cincinnati Mercury.l
REMARKABLE TRIAL AT GIBRALTAR

REMARKABLE TRIAL AT GIBRALTAR
| In the year 1841, at Gibraltar, there
occurred one of those extraordinary
cases, which shows us how inefectively
the romancist, even when his imagina-
ton is strained to the uttermost, can
portray the extremes of passion OF
which human nature is susceptible.
A communication bearing date Feb
ruary go, from the rock built fortress
which England keeps as a key to the
Mediterranean, relates the following
particulars: 0lreI
A merchant, named James Baxwell,
born in London, had removed in early
life to Gibraltar, induced partly by cir
cumstances of his being of the same re-
ligious persuasion to which the people
of his adopted country belonged. For
many years he occupied small dwell
| ling near the base of Mount st. Michael,
so renowned for its caves and crystaliza-
tions. He carried on a successful traffic
in all the articles of British manufacture
introduced into Spain. He acquired in
truth, a very considerable fortune in this
way. All the country knew he had a
large amount of treasure laying by him,
not to speak of the capital belonging to
him, which was embarked in commerce
His name was one of credit in all the
principal. houses of exchange in Europe.
James Baxwell had daughter, an
only daughter, aged seventeen years,
and of a remarkable beauty. Her
countenance and figure combined in a
most agreeable manner the peculiar
charms of English women with the soft,
languishing characteristics of the Span
lard. Young as she was, she had been
for some two or three years an object of
devoted admiration to all the youths
around Gibraltar. At church they de-
youred her with their eyes; and many,
many aone thought to himself that hap
py above all men would he be who
could win the smiles of Eleiza Baxwell.
But Eleiza bestowed her smiles upon no
one. She seemed to those whose in
voluntary sighs she excited, to carry
maidenly modesty to freezing GOODNESS.
At mass her eyes were upon her book,
regardless of the glances cast upon her
by others.
Such was at length the case till short
ly before the events to be narrated. At
length, however, Eleiza did see one who
awakened in herself some of the emo
tons which she had caused in others
At mass, one day, she observed the
eyes of young stranger fixed upon her
with an expression of admiration and
respect. To her he seemed being su-
perior to all the young men she ever be-
held. From that moment, her calm and
self-possessed demeanor left her forever.
Abroad and at home she was restless
and uneasy. But, ere long, thestranger
found an opportunity of being intro
duced TO her, and mutual avowals of
love followed at no great distance OF
time. l
Assured of the affections of Eleiza,
the young stranger presented himself to
Mr.. Baxwell.
81 am named VIM. Katt," said he to
the merchant. "I am, like you, an
Englishman. 1 am of a respectable
family and character, young and veal
thy. Give me your daughter love
one another"
| "Neverl'' said James Baxwell, to
whom the position and circumstances OF
the young man were not unknown
''neyer! you belong to the dominantre
ligion of England, by which my fathers
suffered so much and so long. You are
a Lutheran, and my daughter is a
Catholic. Such union cannot be hap
py; nor will l ever give consent to it
Eleiza shall never be yours.
The daughter, informed of his de-
claration, threw herself at the feet Of
her father, and endeavored to move
him from his purpose. Her lover did
the same. But the father remained OBJ
stinate, and a violent scene took place
between Eleiza and her parent. The
blood of the fiery south, coursed in the
daughters veins, and she declared she
would marry the object of her choice,
despite all opposition. James Baxwell,
on the other hand, declared that he
would sooner kill her with his owr
hands, than to see her carry such reso.
luton into effect. As to VIM. Katt
who stood by at this scene, he KEEP
silence. What thoughts were revolv.
ing in his mind, it would be difficult tc
say.
Two days afterwards an alarming
noise was heard by the neigbbors t.
issue from a cave Immediately adjoin.
ing the merchants house, and used by
him for some domestic purpose. The
noise consisted at first of loud cries
which gradually became fainter, and a
length died altogether away. The au
ditors looked at each other with amaze
ment, and many were the coniectures a,
to the cause of the sound alluded to-
A solution of the mystery was not lons
in suggesting itself. Eleiza had disap
. peared; she was no longer to be seel
, about her fathers house. After man,
! low murmurs had circulated, the fathe
was interrogated respecting his daugh
/ ter. He said she was missing, certain
ly; but whittier she had gone he knew
not He had nothing whatever to do