A STRANGE ROMANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2119, 6 February 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

A STRANGE ROMANCE.

Seldom, if over, has a wedding taken place under more difficult and more romantic circumstances (writes the St James' Gazette of Dec. 3) than one which cam? off tho other day at Chatham Hill Gaol, a few miles distance from the town of Marion, in Virginia, A few minutes before midnight on Nov. 13, a buggy was driven to the walls of of the gaol. It contained Miss Mollie Downes, acted IS years, one of the most prepossessing young ladies in the district, her brother (Mr Thomas Downes) and a minister. On arrival at the prison young Downes stood upon the seat of the vehicle, and Miss iMollie Downs climbed upon her brother's shoulders, grasping a strong hand 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 tho young lady to James Fauntleroy, the owner oi the hand in the window. When the ceremony was concluded some little inconvenience occurred owing to the bride persisting in kissing and crying over the bridegroom's hand, until her brother reminded her that she weighed 1351b, and that he was beginning to feel exhausted. Mrs Fauntleroy relucantly decended from her elevated position, and the buggy was then driven off at a rapid pace. It seems that Mr Fauntleroy is in prison for alleged attempting to murder a farmer, by name Dungan, \\ ho was his rival for Miss Downs's hand. It was at first thought that Dungan was fatally injured, and as Miss Downes would at the trial be the only witness, it was arranged that she should marry Fauntleroy, 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, who was so disgusted at being out-witted that he at once took to his bed, where by luti st accounts he remained in .a state lioidering on coma.