Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-15
A CELEBRATED CASE.

sided in Paris number OF lmpecunlous
gentlemen, who styled themselves the first
society in Europe. Among these English
men was one Edward Gibbon Wakefield,
nephew of the celebrated Priscilla Wake
field, whose nursery tales and school-books
were the delight of children of that day.
Edward was widower with several child
ren, and in somewhat needy circumstances
to support the life Of elegant leisure that he
wished. So it occurred to him to elope
with an English heircss. The lady selected
was a pupil at Miss Doulby's famous semi
nary in Liverpool, whose father, William
Turner, was wealthy Lancashire manu-
facturer. Wakefield, accompanied by his
shrewd French valet, Mons. Thevenot,
crossed the channel, and the following
scheme was selected Mr.. Turner had gone
to London on business, and Gibbon sent his
valet, who was instructed to represent him
self as the servant Of q physician named
Armstrong with note to Miss Doulby, pur
porting to have been written by physician
who was attending Mrs. Turner, OF Shrig-
ley Park, and it represented that Mrs.
Turner, being in urgent danger from
paralytic stroke, wished to soc her only
child as soon as possible. The patients
condition required the Immediate return Of
her daughter, and the note requested Miss
Doulby TO intrust Miss Ellen Turner, aged
fifteen, to the physicians servant, who
would convey her to her mother at the
greatest posting speed The letter enjoined
Miss Doulby not to alarm the young lady
by telling her of Mrs. Turner's illness. The
scheme worked to perfection. The defer
ential French valet drove at once to Man
chester, where the elegant Wakefield was
met. The young and unsophisticated school
girl was most agreeably impressed by his
musical voice and politeness. 1t was his
sad duty to tell the young lady that her
father was in great financial distress caused
by the failure of two large banks, and could
only be relieved by his little daughters
compliance with n certain agreement, which
was nothing else than her marriage with
the handsome stranger. There seemed
nothing strange to the child about this.
Her own experience had taught her that
Lancashire manufacturers often fall sud-
denly from wealth. The last half year one
of her favorites was removed from school by
her fathers failure Like good girl, she
replied: "Dear Mr.. Wakefield, you are
very kind to me, and l think l could
learn to love you and make you a
good wife, though | am very young;
but l may not marry you till | have
seen dear papa and learned from his
own lips what he wishes me to do"
They were OH their way TO Scotland for a
speedy marriage, and at Carlisle would be
met by her papa, who would accompany
them TO Gretna Green. All night they
drove with greatest speed, where they
learned that her father bad been thrown
into jail, and her ouly way to rescue him
from the cruel position was at once TO 20 to
Gretna Green and marry Mr.. Wakefield.
At the same time she received IL letter pur-
porting TO have been written by Mr. Grim
ditch her fathers London solicitor, urging
her immediate compliance as the only
means 10 save her father. These were proofs
overwhelming, and the young girl consent
ed, and they proceeded to Gretna Green,
and, with her consent, the terrified little
girl became Mrs. Wakefield. The witnesses
were William Graham, postboy, and John
Lenton. From Gretna Green the adroit
rascal carried the girl to Calais, and at once
proceeded to open negotiations with Mr..
Turner. His demands were not exorbitant.
He would he satisfied with an annual al
lowance suitable to his wants to live in the
first society of Europe. 1t is gratifying to
know that the father did not consent,
and affairs were managed SO cleverly that
Mr. Wakefield was eventually sentenced
to three years in Newgate. Cincinnati En-
guircr.