The Midnight Elopement on the Sound

Mr. John Leavey and Miss Linnie Babcock, of Port Gamble, were of one mind on the question of matrimony, and desired to be united in wedlock, but the parents of the young lady were of a different mind, as she was not quite fifteen years of age. But love is hopeful, and full of expedients. On Sunday, the 17th inst., Rev. Mr. Carnes, of this city, preached at Port Gamble, and in the evening the youthful pair confided their secrets to him, and implored his aid in finding ways and means for the consummation of their desires. This gentleman at once espoused their cause, and the next morning went to Port Townsend and chartered the Mastick to take the happy couple to Victoria. Monday evening this steamer, under the directions of Mr. Carnes, their champion, approached Port Gamble, and lay under a bank secure from observation. During the night the lovers were conveyed to her in a small boat. Early on Tuesday morning the Mastick got under way, and was observed from Port Gamble just as she was putting out into the Sound. About this time Miss Babcock was missed by her parents, and from discoveries made there remained no doubts in their minds but she and her lover were on the steamer. The father made all haste to secure the steamer Favorite, which was in port at the time, and gave chase with all speed possible, but the Mastick being the faster of the two steamers, all went well with the young people, and they were soon bounding across the straits in a fog that concealed them from their pursuers. They soon arrived in Victoria and repaired at once to the American House, where the marriage service was performed by Rev. Mr. Carnes, who had made their union possible. The Favorite arrived soon after with the disappointed father, too late to enter protest against the proceedings.