Wesley Corpus

A Remarkable Providence Source: The Works of John Wesley, Volume 11 (Zondervan) Author: John Wesley --- A GENTLEMAN walking with Mr. Chapoon, (uncle to Mr. Roquet) in Moorfields, proposed stepping into Bedlam. After they had walked there awhile, they were turning to go out, when a young woman cried, “Sir, I desire to speak with you.” His friend said, “Sure, you will not stay to hear a mad woman’s tale.” He answered, “Indeed I will:” On which the other went away. She then said, “My father left me and my fortune in the hands of my uncle. A young gentleman offered me marriage, and all things were agreed 498 Account of THE BROTHERs’ sTEPs. on; when one morning my uncle took me out with him in the chariot, as he said, to see a friend; but instead of this he brought me to Bedlam, where I have been confined ever since.” “Your story is plausible,” said Mr. C.; “but how shall I know it is the truth?” “Very easily,” said she, “The gentleman that was to marry me lives within a day's journey of London. Write to him; and tell him you have something to say concerning me, and would be glad to meet him at such a place in town. If he does not come, let this all pass for a mad woman’s dream.” Mr. C. wrote, and asked the gentleman, who came to the place appointed, whether he knew such a person. He answered, “Perfectly well. We were to have been married before now ; but her uncle sent me word she was taken ill.” Mr. C. then told him the whole story. He immediately sent to her uncle; who was very ready to take her out, and pay her fortune, to avoid farther trouble. So the curiosity of one to see a strange place, and of another to hear a strange tale, was a means of detecting a notorious scene of villany, and of setting an innocent sufferer at liberty