The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-01-09
A Local Romance.

lhe following account OF zone OF the
Teachers" is from the Yarmouth Register:
Tradition has preserved a singular an
ecdote of John Thacher, son Of one OF
the earliest settlers of this town. He was
married in 1861, to Miss Rebecca Win
slow, of Luxbury, in Playmouth county, if
we mistake not. On his way home with
his new bride, he stopped for the night at
the house of friend, Col Gorham, OF
Barnstable. one of the most prominent Cit
izens of the town. Merriment and gavety
prevailed, and during the evening female
infant about three weeks old was introdu-
ced, and the night of her birth being men
toned, Mr.. Thacber observed, ''that it is
the very night on which we were married, "
and taking the child in his arms, he pre-
sented it to his bride, and jokingly said
'Here my dear, is little lady who was
born on the same night we were married.
| wish you to kiss her, for intend to have
her for my second wife," 81 will, my dear
with great pleasure" replied she, "but |
hope it will be very long before your inten-
ton is fulfilled in that respect"
Mr.. Thacher and his wife lived happily
together for about twenty years, and faith
fully fulfilled the scriptural injunction to
multiply and replenish the earth. Mrs.
t., left large family of children, among
whom was son named Peter.
After Mr.. Thacher had mourned rea-
sonable lenghth Of time he began to think
of getting another partner None Of the
maidens, young or old, seemed to please
him like Lydia Gorham, the little lady of
the preceding part OF the story. now grown
up, if we may believe tradition, to fair
comely girl, "full of gushing lile," as the
poets say. But there was one impediment
in the way. His eldest son, Peter. had
shown a prediction for the girl, and the
old man was at loss to decide whether
she favored the suit Of the sire or the son.
The one rode a black horse on his visit,
and the other white, There was kind
Of tacit agreement between the two that
one should not interfere with the other in
their visits; SO. when the father found a
white horse tied in front Of Col. Gorham s,
unlike the good Samaritan, he crossed over
on the other side; and the son when the
black horse was there returned the favor.
The things went on until the patience
of the old man was well nigh exhausted, |,
and he resolved on desperate step to de.
eide the matter. Taking his son on one
side, he said to him.
"Peter are you or are you not going to
marry Lydia Gorham!"
Peter replied that he had not yet made
up his mind.
"Well,' said the old gentleman, 81 will
make you an offer, if you will give her up
and court her no more, will give you thir-
teen pounds in money and the pair of black
steers. What do you say to that9"
The young man hesitated but moment.
"Tis a bargain" said he.
And it is due to the parties to say that it
was observed by them all with good faith.
Whether Lydia knew the bargaining that
her charms had occasioned, tradition say
eth not; but subsequently became Mr..
Thacher's wife, bore him ten children,
from whom many members of the numer-
Gus and highly respectable family of the
Thacher's have sprung. Our venerable
townsman. Mr.. Peter Thacher, is the great
grand son of Peter noticed above,