DISPOSING OF A WITNESS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1459, 26 January 1886, Page 3

DISPOSING OF A WITNESS.

Seldom, if ever, has a wedding taken place under more difficult and romantic circumstances than one which came off the other day at Chatham Hill Gaol, a few miles distant from the town of Marion, in Virginia, A few minutes before midnight on November 13 a buggy was driven to the walls of the gaol. It contained Miss Mollie Downes, aged eighteen years, one of the most prepossessing young ladies in the district, her brother, Mr Thomas Downes, and a minister. On arriving at the prison, young Mr Downes stood upon the seat of the vehicle and Miss Mollie Downes climbed upon her brother’s shoulders, grasping a strong arm which protruded from between the bars of the gaol window. The minister then, also perched upon the seat, recited in an impressive manner the marriage service, uniting the young lady to James Fauntleroy, the owner of the hand in the window. When the ceremony was concluded some little inconvenience ocsrred owing to the bride persisting in kissing and crying over the bridegroom’s hand, until her brother reminded her that she weighed ]3slbs, and that he was beginning to feel exhausted. Mrs Fauntleroy at last reluctantly descended from her elevated position, and the buggy was then driven off at a rapid pace. It sesnm that Mr Fauntleroy is in prison for an alleged attempt to murder a farmer, by name Dugan, who was his rival for Miss Downes’ hand. It was at first thought that Dugan was fatally injured, ami as Miss Downes would at the trial be the only Witness, it was arranged that she should

marry Fanntleroy, so that she could not be compelled to testify against him. It was not until the next morning that the fact of the marriage was made known to the town constable, w’m was so disgusted at being outwitted that he at once took to his bed, where, by latest accounts, he remains in a state bordering on coma St. James’ Gazette.