Evening journal., 1900-07-02
.ERRING GIRL
LURED FROM HOME
Elizabeth BeIIman and Lover
Arrested in Smyrna
Girl Taken Home by Her Father
and James Bagley, Of VIII
mingtOn, Fined
speeIal 70 the nvenIng journal.

Smyrna, July "A comedy was en-
acted in the small office Of Squire e.
V. Cooper on Saturday that consumed
the greater part Of the afternoon, at
tracing considerable attention here.
The characters were Daniel Bellman,
Of near Wyoming, a farmer, with an
incorrigibe daughter, Miss Elizabeth
Bellman, who is tired of life of drudg-
cry and longs to travel and become
known as a successful saleslady; James
| Bagley, of Wilmington, a travelling
jewelry salesman and boss" Of the
firm; his assistant, Charles Hillman. of
Philadelphia, married man with one
child; Constable p. +. Collins, OF
Smyrna, billed as a destroyer of Miss
Bellman's beautiful vision of wealth,
and Magistrate Cooper, the dispenser
OF Justice and collector of fines accru-
ing from the play while any number
OF "supes' We're on hand to fill in.
Ealy Saturday morning Constable
Collins received a telephone message
from Mr.. Bellman, stating that his
daughter had been enticed from home
by two men selling jewelry. and asked
If the trio were seen in Smyrna to have
them arrested at once. Just before
noon the girl and two men were seen
coming up Main street, and Constable
Collins arrested them, informing the
father by telegraph of the fact Magis-
tratc Cooper eid not care TO see the girl
locked up until her father arrived in
town, and allowed the prisoners TO sit
in his office. The news Of the abduc-
ton, as it was termed. spread rapidly.
and soon a morbid crowd was at the
little court room.
Miss Bellman APPARENTLY enjoyed the
notoriety and smiled sweetly at the
men who were gazing at her. She
asked that she be allowed to stand
outside for awhile. The request was
away, being near the depot. a
half a mile distant, when the constable
overlook her. After this she was
obliged to stay in the magistrates or
fee.
Bagley was very talkative, and
roundly denounced everybody for his
arrest, while his companion, the mar
ried man, seemed to feel his position
most keenly and had not a word to say,
sitting with downsast eyes most of the
time.
After wait of five hours, Mr. Bell
man arrived, and when he pushed into
the office said: "Well, Lizzie, you are
long time bringing back that yeast
cake For awhile the affair took the
turn OF a family quarrel Miss Bell
man explained to her father that she
! had been offered a position by Bagley
at IS per week, payable every Friday,
to travel with him and his companion,
and told her father most emphatically
that she did not propose to remain at
home and do the kitchen work, while
her sister, Annie. was allowed to en-
tertain visitors, play on the piano, etc.
/ Father and daughter were having an
unlovely argument, with side remarks
by Bagley, who termed Mr. Bellman
!, papa" much to the latters discom-
future.
!, The magistrate tried to induce the
: girl to go home with her parent. but
/ she claimed not for $1,000 per month
would she do so. Bagley then offered
to compromise the matters, Going over
to Miss Bellman he took her by The
I hand, and wanted the magistrate to
unite them in marriage at once. Mr..
Bellman objected, and said he would
not have for a son-in-law man who
peddled jewelry, and particularly q fell
e low who drank beer. as Bagley was
visibly intoxicated. Mr.. Bellman final
n ly made affidavit that his daughter
was not yet IS years of age. was in
corrigible, and that Bagley was drunk
and disorderly and enticed her away
a from home.
Bellman refused to pay any of the
costs, and the daughter. when told she
4 would have to go to Jail, to remain un.
I'll October, said she could stand thai
d in preference to going home. Tn,
father made one more appeal to tn,
girl, when she gave in. and the pail
left the Office. Bagley was held for IN,
y costs. about IS.
Before reaching the depot and agail
at Clayton. Miss Bellman decided L
u not go with her father, but was forced
70 do so. The evidence brought out a
t the trial or rather the greater part o
5 H. was not fit for publication, and thi
< father and daughter were the cynosur
of all eyes on their way to the train.
o Bagley. lamenting the fact that HI
had lost nearly a whole day by his ar
n rest, and had also had his prosperity
bride taken away from him, paid hi
IS fine under protest.