Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-06-19


ALMOST RONANcE.-Here Is the basis Of good
story, which has the merit Of truth and consider
able dash of romance
Some fourteen years ago, an EngIishman named
Mark knight married Charlotte -. in syra
cuse, New York. Mark at the the time of this mar
riage was fifty four years of age, and his wife sew
enteen- One chld-a giri-was the fruit of this
union She was named Charlotte Elizabeth King
don knight About the time this child was year
DID, Mark Knight got divorce from his wife for
adultery, and the Court decreed TO him the care
and custody of the child The old man was in very
moderate circumstances, yet he provided well for
little Charlotte, clothed her handsomely as his
means would permit, and when she had attained to
proper age sent her TO school.
On the fourth of July, 1855, the school to which
Charlotte belonged had picnic. Charlotte was
dressed for the occasion and accompanied the rest
Of the children 10 the woods but she never return
ed 70 her fathers house. Her mother, since Ms.
Bruce, with the aid Of some of her relatives, alb
Quoted the child, and bringing her here to Cleye-
land, took boarding in the family of man named
H, who figures prominently in the later phases
of the story
Some time in the year 1857, mrs. Bruce went 10
Cincinnati, leaving Charlotte in charge of this man
H, who seems to have conceived for her, young
as she is passion as violent as unfortunate Some
time afteTward, Mrs Bruce, fearful something might
occur whereby she might lose her child wrote TO
Charlotte to " come to Cincinnati" Charlotte did
not go. A few days elapsed, and Charlotte re-
ceived telegraphic despatch announcing the death
Of her mother. and requesting her presence at the
faneral- She was persuaded by In to go,
and did not She was greatly surprised day OF
two subsequently, at the appearance Of her mother
not only alive but in excellent good health. Mrs
Bruce prevailed upon her daughter to accompany
her to Cincinnati. and Mr.. Bruce, Mrs. Bruce and
Charlotte together left Cleveland for that city.
But the indefatigable H was not to be shaken
from the pursuit so easily. He had acquainted him
self with the Circumstances OF the girls history
had written 70 her fa.her Mark (who had unsuc-
cessfully exerted himself to discover her Eherea-
bouts and obtained from him legal power to retain
Charlotte in bis custody. Before this document
was in his possession, however, he had got out a
warrant for the arrest Of Charlotte on charge Of
stealing from him gold ring, valued at four
dollars. This warrant was placed in the hands of
Chief Of Police White, who proceeded at once to
Cincinnati and arrested the girl While in the cars
on their return, he obtained from her afu statement
Of the oircumstanc IS Of H-'s attachment for her
and also 4 total denial Of thee barge Of theft On
the arrival of the parties in Cleveland they repair
ed at once to helNIyOrs Office, and H, falling
to establish his accusation against her. she was dis
charged and remanded inio the custody of her
mother. The tables Iwere now electuaIly turned
upon Mr.. H, and in order TO save the costs of
a charge Of malicious prosecution Of the girl and
the penalty Of a still graver Ofense. he paid into
the hands of the mother and her husband two hun
dred dollars In cash. This occurred on Tuesday
last, and Mrs. Bruce made arrangements to return.
with her husband and daughter to Cincinnati by the
frst train on wednesday morning.
The same evening (Faesday) the power Of attor-
ney, giving H the custody of Charlotte, ar
rived by mail H at once got out a writ o
hdbeas corpus for the person Of the girl, which was
served about i've O'Clock A. y. Of Wednesday. At
nine O'Clock the same morning, all the parties sp
peared before Judge Tllen, and the case was con
tinued to Friday (yesterday) in order to allow fbe
presence Of the father Mark knight. who had been
telegraphed to at Syracuse. The girl remain ing in
the interim in the family Of Judge THden-
At 9 O'Clock yesterday moming, Mark knight,
Mr.. and Mrs.. Bruce and Charlotte were all presen
at Judge Tlden's Court The major portion Of the
facts rected above transpred in the evidence given
The ease was rested BY the counsel without argu-
ment. In giving his decision, the Judge adverted
to the moral peril OF the girl either in possession Of
the mother or H, and TO the suares she had al
ready escaped. The daughter Charlotte was not
wiling to elect between her parents, bat the Judge
in view Of the circumstances and with reference TO
the best interests Of the girl delivered her into the
custody Of her lather Mark Knight
OF c0aase, the mother cried bitterly when the |
decision Of the Court was rendered. The daughter
was also deeply affected and in parting with her
mother yesterday afternoon, when about to depart
Tor her new home in Syracuse, showed the intensity
Of her love by the violence Of her grief We hope
ler future life may 10 some degree atone for the
!rOublos she has experienced in The past. She is
evidently girl Of much more than ordinary intel
igence. and with proper training wHl make good