The Runaway Marriage of Lord Westmorland

One May day, between ninety and one hundred years ago, John, Tenth Earl of Westmorland, while dining with Mr. Child, the banker, said, "Give me your daughter to wife."

"What!" said the banker. "You told me a month ago you were in love with a girl, and had no hope of getting her father's consent to your marrying her."

"Ah, but circumstances are changed now," said the Earl. The unsuspecting banker replied, "Do? Why, run away with her, to be sure."

A night or two afterward Lord Westmorland eloped with Miss Sarah Anne Child in a post-chaise and four. The post-chaise took Miss Sarah Anne on board somewhere near Berkeley Square House. An alarm was given by the watchman, who found the hall door open.

Mr. Child at once pursued in his own carriage, along the North Road, and gained upon the runaways. It was not, however, until Northumberland was reached and entered that the pursuing carriage came within sight of the first, and then Lord Westmorland, leaning from his carriage, shot one of the leading horses of Mr. Child's vehicle, which fell dead in consequence.

This bold proceeding gave the lovers time to cross the border, where they were married by the Gretna Green blacksmith. During the short interval between this union and the death of Mr. Child, the banker forgave Lord and Lady Westmorland.