Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-05-05
5fisecllamp.
From the Louisville Courier-J Journal.
Lizzie Carlton.
ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE CQMPLI-
TRUE STORY OF THIRTY YEARS AGO.

teens, VINO gave her name as Lizzie Carl
ton. Nothing more was known of her
than that she was accompanied hither
by young man who was, or pretended
to be deaf and dumb, and left at once af-
ter aiding her in securing situation in
the establishment Of Mrs. Williams, a
milliner and dressmaker on Fourth street
nearly opposite the spot where Barkers
New York store now stands.
Lizzie was a handsome brunette, with
a wealth of raven hair which swept the
floor, with bright expressive eyes, and al
together, genteel and dignified in her
general appearance. From her ladyiike
department and close attention to the in
terests of her employer, she was soon
made superintendent Of the establish
ment. The social lines were not so
strongly marked and scrupulously guard
ed then as now, and hence the beautiful
stranger was soon received into the best
company-forming number of friends
outside of her business circle, among 9th
ers Mrs. E. a prominent member of
the Baptist Church, at whose house Liz
zie was frequent visitor. She, III time,
attached herself to that church, and be-
came most exemplary member.
During her visits to Mrs. E. she met
Philip Slaughter, himself one Of the pill
lars of the church, who, after living in
single blessedness for years, enjoying his
wealth and family station all alone, soon
conceived tender sentiment for the
young and lovely sister. Old bachelors
are considered public property in SO far
| that lively public interest is always
manifested in their matrimonial welfare,
and hence it was not long after the
match-makers put their heads together
until the twain was made one. The mar
riage ceremony was performed at the
Baptist Church, then standing in the
southwest corner of Fifth and Greer
streets, the Rev. Mr. Buck officiating
The happy bride and groom, accompan
led by number of their brothers anc
sisters, repaired to the residence of Mr.
Slaughter, about ten miles from the city
on the Bardstown pike, to partake of thu
usual festivities.
The honeymoon witnessed mutua
growth of admiration between the two
and not only the honeymoon, but seve
raj other moons, waxed and waned, anc
dripped with honey "sweeter than tn
honey-comb."
Alas! that mans avarice and brutali
ty should break in to mar and destroy
scene of happiness ike this
About sunset one evening the edoor. bel
rang. Lizzie-now Mrs. Slaughter-lef
her husbands bedside, Che was confne'
to his room by slight illness at thi
time,> arranged her toilet, and descend
ed to the parlor.
One piercing scream, that startled tn
echoes and shook the rafters, aroused M
Slaughter, who rushed down stairs
What was his astonishment and disma
when he found his bride fainting on tn
floor, and strange gentleman, attende
by policeman, bending over her.
"Sir," said the stranger. I" this woma
is my slave. Her name is Malinda Gas
/ am Mississippian-here is the bill
sale. bought her few months befoi
she escaped from my home. | have bee
on her track for long time; and no
she must return with me-"
The distress of this unfortunate coul
{ lie drew as once large concourse Of the
friends, who were at loss what to a.
wise in the midst OF these strange rel
tions as were those most deeply concerl
ed. The husband, after the first paro,
ism of his grief had subsided, vowe
eternal fidelity to his wife, bond or fir
and with the assistance of Deacon Eli
Rev. Mr.. Buck and others, it was arran
ed that, to quiet matters, the strang
should be Unidentified for the loss of b
slave, and a little party of friends met
the Gait House, where the Misssisippif
received 500 for compensation and 7
turned home.
t But Mr.. S. being rather feeble-min
ed and easily influenced man, was so
set by his relatives that he abandon'
$ his wife, as they could not tolerate ol
in such relation as that, who bad oil
drop of African blood in her veins, ho
ever concealed beneath a fair exterit
He turned the poor woman into t
street. and she, broken-hearted, went fro
II place to place in the capacity of a seal
stress, soon after giving birth to SO
She managed to support herself and Chi
and to bear up under all misfortunes u
- til Mr.. S married another. She at on
+ took to her bed, was kindly attended
the Sisters of Charity and few of t
Baptist sisters in this city, until she di
of broken heart.
Mr.. Elliott went South to learn tr
1c L. b;s+orv huf tho raDo