Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-11-04
Belle BOyd's Husband.


ed on a block kade.runner, where she met
the Lieutenant Hardnge who afterwards
deserted lis flag and country at her IN
stance. Thus she describes this Apollo:
"His dark.brown hair hung down on
his shoulders; his eyes were large and
bright. Those who Judge Of beauty by
regularity of feature only, could not have
pronounced him strictly handsome. Mel
ther Phidias nor Praxlieles would have
chosen the subject for model OF Gre
clan grace; but the fascination OF his man.
ner was such, his every movement was
so much that of refined gentleman, that
my southern proclivities, strong as they
were, yielded for moment TO the I'M
pulses Of my heart, and | said TO myself,
oh, what a good fellow that must be!
The soft Hardinge was struck with
her charms:
ave two were left 10 ourselves; and
Mr.. Aardinge quoted some beautiful pas
sages from Byron and Shakespeare.
Then, in decidedly Claude Melnotte
style, he endeavored TO paint the 'home
10 which, if love could but fulfil its pray
ers, this heart would lead thee! And
from poetry he passed on TO plead an
ofl.told tale.
"Situated as | was, and having known
him for So short time, very practical
thought dlted through my brain. If he
felt all that he proiessed TO feel Tor me,
he might in future be useful 10 Us; so.
when ne asked me TO be his wife, | told
him that his question involved serious
consequences and that he must not ex-
pect an wer until should arrive al
Boston, "
On the way 10 Boston, through the
Sound, Haldinge repeated his tale OF
love.
81 was melancholy; | hardly knew
why. The face Of nature wore It's very
sweetest smile; every thing was proPl-
tious; yet was not pleased, and sought
the cabin. Mr.. Hardnge in few mo.
ments followed me, and then he repeated
declaration on which need not exPa-
tate, as il concerned ourselves more than
any one else. SO generous and noble
was he in everything, that | could not but
acknowledge that my hear! was his.
firmly believe that God intended Us to
meet and love; and, to make the story
short, told him that Il would be his
wife, although out politics differed.
Women Ihought !, 'csn sometimes work
wonders; and may not be, who is OF nor
Ithern birth, come by degrees TO love, Tor
nv sake, the iAused Soulh?'
At Boston, as is we'll known, Hardinge
suffered his prisoner, the captain OF The
blockade runner to escape. The story is
thus told by Miss Boyd:
"Another plan, quietly prepared by Us
previously, and which had reference to
Ithe escape of Captain 'HeDty,' had better
luck. Whilst we were coming TO an an
chor of the Boston Navy Yard, and Mr.
Hardinge was forward, giving orders 10
the men, Captain Henry Mr.. Pollard
and myself were aft, seated in the cabin.
| asked the two Yankee pilots if they
would Join US and parlake OF a G lass ol
wine. TO this they of course assented,
and drank freely; for, doubtless, such
wine but seldom passed their lips.
then nodded to Captain Henry who,
carelessly putting on his hat and taxing
his umbrella in his hand, walked up on
deck and went af, where he stood Tor
some moments. Everything seemed to
favor US, for Mr.. Hsrdlnge had called q
harbor boat alongside, that he might 30
ashore 10 report his arrival.
"Before starting, MIR. Hardinge came
10 me and asked where his papers were;
when replied that thought they must
be in the lower cabin, where he had been
dressing himself lie Immediately went
down 10 fetch them; and this was the gol.
den opportunity for which he had waited.
In less nme than it takes me to write il,
Captain Henry stepped into the boat,
which dropped slowly ssiern with the
tide; and when Mr.. Hardinge resPPeared,
The captain was safe on land.
"The whole scene was amusing in the
extreme TO those who understood IT,"
Hardipge was arrested for this, and
wrote TO Miss Boyd, evidently in great
fright:
"My Dear Miss Belle: II is all up with
me. Mr.. Hall, tie engineers and myseIl
are prisoners, charged with completely IN
The escape Of Captain II. The Admiral
saws thai il looks bad for us; so have
adopted very good motto, VIZ: Face
ihe musicr and come what may, the OIL
fsers under me shall be cleared. | have
asked permission Of the AomIral 10 come
and bid ou goodby. hope that his an
swer will be IN The affirmative"