The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1883-11-09

1
| Early In the present century there re.
sided IN Paris number of impecunious
gentlemen, who styled themselves the
first society in Europe. Among those
Englishmen was one Edward Gibbon
Wakefield. nephew. Of the celebrated
Priscilla Wakefield, whose nursery tales
and school-books were the delight Of
! children Of that day. Edward was a
widower with several children, and
In somewhat needy circumstances
to supper; the life o! elegant leisure
that he wished. SO Il occurred to him
TO elopo with an English heircss. The
lady selected was pupil at Miss
Doulby's famous seminary In Liverpool,
whose father, William Turner, was q
wealthy Lancashire manufacturer.
Wakefield. accompanied by his shrewd
French valet, Mons. Thevenot, crossed
the channel, aud the following scheme
was selected; Mr.. Turner had gone 10
London on business, and GibbOn sent
his valet, who was instructed TO repre-
sent himself rs the servant of physi-
clan named Armstrong, with a note 10
Miss Doulby, purporting TO have been
written by physician who was attend
Ing Mrs. Turner, of Shrigley PARK, and
IL represented that Mrs Turner,
being In urgent danger from para-
lytic stroke, wished to see her only
child as soon as possible. The
patients condition required the
immediate return OF her daughter. and
the note requested Mss Doulby to in |
trust Miss Ellen Turner, aged fifteen, TO
the physicians servant who would con- |
\ l. q l. 4
posting speed. The letter enjOincd |
Miss Donlby not 10 alarm the young |
lady by telling her Of Mrs. Turner'S i'll
ness The scheme worked Ia perfection
Tho deicrental French valet drove at
once 30 Manchester, waere the elegant
Wakefield was met The yOdhg and
unsophisticated schoolgirl was most
agreeably impressed ~ his musical
voice and polltcness twas his sad
duty 10 tell the yVung lady Vi 1t her
father was in great financial distress
caused by the falure Of two large
banks, and could opiy be relieved BY
his little daughter s5cOmpiiance with a
certain agreement which was nothing
else than her marriage with the hand
some stranger There seemed nothing
siranve 20 he child about this. Her
own expc, ence had taught her that
LancashiJ manufacturers often fall
suddenl from wealth. The last half
vcor ~ fof her favorites was removed
f,om school by her fathers fixture.
IN a good girl. she replied. "Dcar
Nt,Wakeield, you are very kind 10
e, aud | think could learn 10
owe you and make YOU good
wife, though am- very Young;
mt may not marry Won
III have seen dear papa and learned
rom his own lips what he wishes me TO
10. They were on their way TO Scot
and for a speedy marriage, and at Car.
isle would be met by her papa, who
would accompany them 10 Gretua
ireen. All night they drove with
,rea,est speed, where they learned that
Ter father hed been thrown into jail.
SO s,-.-, ;...l,' .s;.., a., -~~~.-- hi,a frpm
be cruel position was ~ once t9.sah.,f ~
ircina Green aud marry Mr.. WaSss'ess.,
II the same time she received a lettetle
10 have been written by MIR |
her father London solicit
w. urging her immediate compliance
IS the only means to save her father
'hcsc were proofs overwhelming. and
he Young girl consented. and they pro-
eedcd to Gretna Green. and. with her
onsent. the terrified little girl became
lrs. Wakefield. The Witnesses were
VII am Graham. Postboy, and John
,cuton. From Grctna Green the adroit
ascal carried the girl 10 Calais. and at
nee proceeded 10 open negotiations
With Mr.. Turner. His demands were
ot exorbitant. lie would be satisfied
18th an annual allowance suitable TO
is wants to live in the first society of
Europe. II is gratifying to know that
he father did not consent, and that af.
airs were managed 50 cleverly that Mr..
Wakefield was eventually sentenced 10
hree years in Newgate. - CinoiHndt,
nc Uircr.