Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-01
CUP1D'S CAPRICE.
A Father, Lover, Two Pistols and a
Devoted Girl.

Little Rock Gazette, 3Oth ult.
1t is said that marriage is uncertain.
Marriage, of itself, is rather certain,
the only uncertain feature being, who
the girl will marry.
Helena was thrown into high state
of sentimental excitement several days
ago, whose truth, if not stranger than
fiction, slips into the neighborhood of
that locality. Here it is, hitherto un-
published. A grand wedding was in
process Of consummation. The young
lady, one of the most beautiful in the
State, was Miss Sallie Moore. her
father, Mr.. John p. Moore. of the
firm OF Jacks & Co.; the young man,
parentally acknowledged betrothed, a
young Mr.. Lucy. The father drew
large amount Of money from the
bank, the firm of which he
is member, and expended
it lavishly in fitting up the
young lady's matrimonial wardrobe.
The young man, the winner of so
handsome prize, seemed to be nearer
heaven than earth, and every circum-
stance forming links in the chain en-
circling the camp of the happy tribe
shone with joys sentimental luster.
But the chain broke and-was severed
by the mule of truth-the truth that
the young lady's pulsator, or rather
heart, belonged to some one else. On
the night before the dawning of the
fathers day of pride (which didn't
come), the young lady went to ball
in the city, and while there, by arrage-
ment, no doubt, met Mr.. Joseph Jack
son. Mr.. Jackson loved the fair
maiden, and the fair maiden loved Mr.,
Jackson. This they knew full we'll
so well, in truth that they left the
ball, went out into the drenching rain,
which by that time. adversely to the
young : romantics hopes, was
falling in torrents. Fastening
with feet encompassed by the
elastic shoes of firm conviction
that they'd BETTER get out of the
way, the couple sought the river.
Mercy of mercies the boat was on
the other shore The rain fell heavi-
| ly, and the lightning's glare, that came
in rapid flashes, made the drops de-
scend with the brilliancy of streams
and sparks of fire. Taking shelter
under a cotton-shed, the lovers stood
looking in the direction of the road,
first blinded by inky darkness and
then their eyes rendered almost sight
less by a glare of lightning, that came
and went like the light from a rapidly
opened and closed dark lantern. A
hurried footstep, and the lovers drew
close to each other. Another glare,
and the form Of the girls angry faith
or, few PAGES away, was visible, The
glare betrayed them, and with an ex-
]. clamation of anger the parent rushed
! forward, and with revolver in hand
seized his daughter. The lover drew
a pistol, the father leveled his weapon
and the girl sprang between them and
exclaimed, . Don't shoot my hus
band "
This startled the father, and lower
ing his pistol, he forced his daughter
to accompany him. Her exclamation
though forcible, was incorrect, for nc
marriage ceremony had been per
formed. She was taken home, locked
| in room, and close watch KEEP
over her. The young jackson re
mained in the city, and sent a pleasant
reminder to young Lucy, for whom
such grand preparations had beer
made, that any attempt to cOnsummat,
his engagement would be fruitless
The question then arose in jackson I
mind. How shall we become as one ?
The father did not relent, and tn,
strict watch was kept up. Going to ;
very shrewd lawyer, the determined
jackson explained matters, his natter
of emotion, for all concerning tn,
elopement had become known. TIL,
lawyer drewup marriage contractanC
the young man affixed his signature
The paper was then, by some mean
not yet known, conveyed to the younl
lady, who also signed it, Then camC
the force of law Upon the strength
of the marriage contract a writ 0
habeas corpus was issued, and tn
, sheriff, vested with its authority. wen
to the residence of Mr.. Moore and de
manded the body of the young lady
, The streets were crowded, and whel
the lady in the sheriff's possessio,
{ appeared, a shout went up sending tn
echo down the alleys and streets tina
rang and rang again. The young lad
is now Mrs. Jackson, and the torme
lover is still Mr.. Lucy
x-,-r ~7~,, ,,oorro ~