The Sun. — 1844-03-19 (London, England)

ELOPEMENT EXTRAORDINARY. WOBURN, MARCH 16.—An affaire du caul., followed by a somewhat romantic adventure, forms the topic of much sprightly gossip amongst the tea-table coteries of this neighbourhood, to whom anything worthy the name of an elope ment is, in these days of common-place life, perfectly exciting. The facts, so far as I can learn, are these :—On Tuesday last, Miss Frances, second daughter of Mr. Gascoigne, of Brickmore-house, which is within a short distance of this place, suddenly disappeared from home, to the great alarm of her relatives and friends, who immediately commenced an investigation, the result of which was, that the young lady was found to have placed herself under the protection of Mr. William Thomas Gawthorn, solicitor, who is the eldest son of the late Rev. T. H. Gawthorn, rector of Morstan Mortaine, in this county. How long the intimacy may have subsisted is not ascertained, but, as the young lady is entitled, on attaining her majority, to a large property, it seems that the disposal of her hand was with her friends an object of some solicitude ; but, in the true spirit of female independence, she resolved to choose for herself in this all-important step. Upon the common pretence of going out for a walk, she met Mr. Gawthorn by appointment in the vicinity of her paternal home, and walked from thence to Little Brickhill, a distance of four miles, where a post-chaise was procured, which whirled them off to Tring, and, securing places in the railway carriage, they arrived in London the same evening. Mr. Gawthorn having friends in London, all the preliminary arrangements had been made ; and on the following morning, at St. Luke's Church, the fugitives received the nuptial benediction. A marriage so contracted is, perhaps, no very unusual occurrence ; but the sequel to the bridal happens to be rather singular. When the bridegroom felt sure of his prize, he dispatched a mission to a younger brother, residing at Ridgmont, with authority to acquaint Mr. Gasccigne that Miss Fanny had become Mrs. Gawthorn, and only waited permission to offer her dutiful respects to her family in that character. The younger Mr. Gawthorn, entertaining a penchant for Miss Gascoigne, his sister-inlaw's elder sister, readily accepted the office 4 mediator. He requested an interview, which was perear torily refused, the Gascoignes probably having no wish for a quadruple alliance. The young gentleman protested that such cruelty would be the death of hilt —he swore that he would incontinently make away with himself. Fathers, it is said, have flinty hearts—neither threat nor entreaty was of any avail. Stung with such indignity, he drew a pistol from his bosom and fired it—in the air ! Even this proof of devotion made no impression on the callous feeling of his lady love's relatives. Another murderous weapon was drawn forth, and flourished in front of the windows. Still there was no symptom of compunction exhibited. Another moment, and a loud report told that the deed was done. These successive discharges of fire-arms brought to the spot some of the inmates of a neighbouring cottage. The young gentleman was found lying on the ground writhing in agony, and though not dying, yet much more seriously wounded than he had probably intended. The ball had passed, not through his head or his heart, but through his leg ! The effusion of blood was so considerable, that the persons who came to his aid procured the assistance of Mr. Parker, surgeon, of Woburn, who having dressed the wound, the young gentleman was taken home to Ridgmont, where he new lies in a very precarious state. The elder brother and his bride are supposed to be keeping the honeymoon in London; but it is reported that the lady's friends have determined to take legal proceedings, in order to set aside the marriage, as she happens to be under age, and heiress to a large fortune.