I I - American Memory

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them to a Village in Worcejlerjhire, called Great Omher-
fiy, where either tir'd with her Company, or grudging
the Expence of longer maintaining her, they took the
Opportunity to leave her behind.
Having thus left her, and ihe not knowing which
Way to follow them, ftie went raving about like a mad
Woman, till at laft coming to Mr. Hayes i Door, Mrs.
Hayes in Compaffion took her in, and entertain'd her
for a few Days.
Mr. Hayes had then feveral Children, the eldeft
whereof, whofe Name was John, being then about 21
Years of Age, found fomething agreeable in her Perfon
and Converfation, and privately made Overtures of
Marriage to her. His Propofitions were^ readily re-
ceiv'd ; but each of them believing his Friends would
never confent to a Propofal in that Nature, agreed to
keep the fame a Secret from Mr. Hayes and his Wife.
The Preleminaries were foon fettled, and in five or fix
Days the Preparations for a private Marriage being
made, which was agreed to be folemniz'd at Worcefter.
On the intended Day, early in the Morning, Mr. John
Hayes and Catherine bid adieu to his Father's Houfe iu
the following manner.
Mr. John Haye:, vvho was a Carpenter by Trade, ac-
quainted his Mother that he had occafion to buy fome
Tools necelfary in his Way of Bufinefs, and would go
to Worcejier to purchafe the fame ; having under this
Pretence got fome Money from her, which with fome
he had before by him, were fufficient to defray the
Charges of his intended Expedition, he took leave of
his Parents in the Morning.
Catherine without the Formality of bidding them
adieu, having privately quitted the Houfe, trudg'd thi-
ther alfo, where meeting at the appointed Place, they
accompany'd each other to Worcejier, where the Wed-
ding was foon celebrated.
The fame Day Mrs. Catherine Hayes had the Fortune
to meet with fome of her quondam Acquaintance, who
had before dropt her at Omberjly^ and were now quar-
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