The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-02

lldHHFI hhO"h w ioNSiS oAhSO ehe
world began, and they then planned
and conspired to escape to Ohio and
at the town of Aberdeen, known
and famed as the 'Gretna Green oi
Ohio" be married unknown to friends
and relatives, who, after it was too late
might discuss the question of what they
would do about it.
The night when the elopment was
to take place was set and the young
people went their respective ways hap
py as young people are on such occa
sions.
The night when John Brown was
to steal his lady fair and carry hel
away across the river came as dark as
the most timid lovers could wish, and
John could hardly wait till the day
was done. He consulted his watch
every two minutes and wandered
about like unto one possessed of the
spirit of unrest. And finally the night
fell.
The thick clouds hid the moon and
cast a dense gloom over the whole
face of the earth, and the young man
rejoiced and told himself that Fate
had favored him in all things. Sad
ding two horses he proceeded to 9
wood near the home fhis inamorata,
and hardly had he got there when g
female form, clad in black and deeply
yelled, stepped from the darkness un'
der the trees and stood dimly revealed.
care you ready, darling2" whis
pered John.
YES" was the whispered response,
''but I thought you said you would
come in carriage"
"You must have misunderstood me,
sweetheart, replied John, 'for I don't
remember saying how I would come.
Let me assist you to mount"
II don't know whether I can ride
or not, l feel so queer and foolish"
"That is natural under the circum.
stances. You are nervous, dear, and
will soon be all right. We must hur.
ry, for I have hired the ferryman to
wait for me-" .
Ina minute later the two were fly
ing down the road. Soon the sound OF
carriage wheels came TO their ears.
For few minutes John said nothing,
but it was not long before he was con-
vinced that some one was following
him. Il
Don't be frightened, DEAR" he said
in a loud whisper, ''but let us ride
faster"
"Whye"
II think we are pursued, and if not
I do not care to have the carriage be-
hind US overtake U.S."
The lady caught her breath, and in
a moment they were going at top
speed along the level river road to the
landing place of the ferry.
The carriage still kept within hear
ing distance, but did not seem to gain
on them. Presently they came to the
ferry, and hastily tying the horses
John lifted the lady down and stole a
kiss from under her veil as he did so.
The ferryman was waiting, but it
seemed to the flying lovers that he
would never be ready to cast off.
make haste" said John to him un.
der his breath. I'VE are followed, and
our pursuers are drawing near"
The stupid boatman made desper'
ate effort to hurry, and in so doing
unshipped one of'his oars and it flew
from his hand and was lost in the dark
waters of the river.
Just then the furiously driven car.
riage drove up and gentleman
jumped out, without seeming to OBJ
serve the three at the boat side.
"Hello!" cried the newcomer in
stentorian voice. Where in blazes
are you, you lazy lubbers"
Here I be, sir, if you are meaning
me-" answered the boatman.
As the newcomers voice rang out
there were two EXPLANATIONS in unison
from the ladies, and each tore her veil
from her face, just as the moon broke
through a rift in the clouds,and there
was such q tableau as is rarely seen
anywhere. At the side of the boat
stood John Brown and Mrs. Jones,
while near the carriage stood General
Brown and Jeannette.
For a space the length of which
none of the parties present have ever
tried TO compute these four stood as il
transfxed, while the boatman looked
with wondering eyes from one to the
other.
The general was the first to recover
himself.
"John-madam," he said, "Will
you please explain yourselvess"
To this very reasonable request
neither replied.
"It seems" resumed the general,
after a solemn pause, "that some mis-
take has occurred"
Mamma, were you going to elope,
too2" inquired Jeanette, whose mind
had gone from cause to effect and
back again, and aided by woman's in
tuition began 70 divine a dim way
what had happened.
Then explanations followed, and it
was discovered that there had been
two elopements planned for the night
instead of the one we know of.
"We're discovered, " said the general
gravely, after the matter had been
fully explained. 'Shall we 60 on like
fools or 60 back like sensible people
and get married each to the woman of
his choice, like men and women and
Christians ought to-"
That is all. They went back and
were married, and the writer hereof
sets it down as his own conviction
that they have lived happily ever
since. And so the feud ended
Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Told In q Dream.