Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-12-01
THE ELOPEMENT,

L LII h1lOl LII L
II was my good furtune to spend the
happy summers Of my youthful days in
an old seaport town, whose glory has
long since departed. Its fast decaying
Wbaryes had once echoed to the tread
of many busy feet, and many very
stately ships had been moored beside
them.
Now, as il my childhood days, no
proud ship finds a haven in the still
waters of its liarbor; Its deserted ship.
. wards ring no more with the sound of
Ak or hammer; the busy hum OF COM
merce is stIlled, and a silence, broken
ouly by the fsherman's call, or the
merry laughter of some yachting party,
peryades what WAS once a very busy.
thriving place.
But commerce has left traces of
wealth behind, and remember some
old-fasbioned. though stately houses.
standing near the shore.
These were the homes vf some of
New England's famous sea captains,
those happy summer days,
The men of the family had all beeu
sailors, commanding some Of the finest
and best known American ships. No
ports had been too distant for them,
and they had brought home. as gifts,
spoils from every cline. Now, all dead
and gone, the women of the family
lived alone, surrounded by treasures
from over the sea.
The old friend who had charge of Us
was very fond of children, and was never
happier than when relating to us the
stories of sea and shore, with which her
mind was stored; and when a rainy
day came, driving us from the beach,
we liked nothing better than to listen
TO her charming legends.
will repeat to you. as nearly as ]
can remember, the story OF the elope-
ment that took place many years ago.
As,l recall It, seem to hear again the
nusie sl Tcices long since hashed, 10
Gljclp liiS sss.ilppll1g 6lz tsle dfl1.-Hloe<i-
FIRE upon the hearth, and the distant
booming of the surf upon the beach.
formed a fitting accompaniment.
A long time ago, when 1 was little
girl, the events happened that l am
about to relate to you. My grandmother
knew all about it, and l often heard
her tell the story to the young folks. in
my day, as L am telling 1t TO you.
In that large, old-fashioned house
which stands on the brow of Beach
Hill, lived very wealthy gentleman,
called Judge Cushman.
l say he lived there, but he only
spent part of the year IN the little
town of s., for his business kept
him in the city during the winter
months; but as soon as the warm days
came the house would be opened, and he
would rde through the town in his big
coach, drawn by tour horses and driven
by a colored coachman.
The Judge was widower, and lived
alone with his servants and an old
housekeeper. So you may imagine the
surprise of the villagers one day early
in the spring of 1912, when they heard
that Squire Cushman, as he was called,
had brought home with him lovely
young girl.
At first all thought that he had
married again, but soon the report was
circulated that his niece had come
from England alone, with only maid
10 attend her, to visit him. And long
visit we all thought 1t would be, for
war had just been declared with Great
Britain, and probably there would be
no friendly intercourse between the
two countries for long time.
OF course all were anxious to see Tie
newcomer, but none were gratified
until the following Sabbath, wien she
appeared at church with the old Squire.
She was true English maiden, with
fair hair and lustrous blue eyes, and a
complexion in which lilies and roses
were skillfully blended by Natures
hand. She was the observed of all
Observers; but bore herself modestly,
seeming unconscious of the gaze OF all
around her.
Many were the questions asked,
many the eonjectures formed, as to her
presence in the lonely house so far from
home, and In an enemy's country; and
finally the mystery was solved py the
Old housekeeper, who divulged It as
great secret to a friend Of hers, an In
Veterate gossip, who soon made the al
fair the property of the whole neigh
bOrhOod.
Rose Cushman. the daughter of the
Squire's only brother, was metherieSs
child, and had grown to womannoou
without knowing what 1t was 10 pe
refused the slightest wish, for she had
always been her fathers idol. He had
planned in her early childhood that she
should marry the son OF his most ihli-
mate friend.
But such designs are rarely accom-
plished. At the age of 19 Rose met a
young and gallant officer in his Males
ty's navy, and lost her heart almost at
first sight. The affection was reclpro-
Gated, and not dreaming of any obsta-
Gle, the lovers plighted their troth Win
the fOndest ahd brightest hopes Ior the
future.
But the father of Rose sternly re-
fused to consent to their engagement,
and forbade Rose ever to see her lover
again. But years of indulgence haa
not prepared his daughter for sucn
arbitrary measures, and she continued
to meet her lover secretly whenever she
vas able to do so,
One meeting in the park near Tue
house was witnessed by her father; auu
50 incenSed was he by this open denance
Of all his commands, that he ordered
the brave young sailor from his grounds'
using the harshest language.
Rose returned to the house, iocheo
herself into her room, and was soon
eOnvulsed with q perfect passion OF
tears; for under her sweet and charming
exterior she hid a will that was Just as
strong and unsubdued as her fathers.
In subsequent interviews with her