Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-12-23
LOyEIN 4 STEEL-TRAP.

LOVE IN \ STEEL-TRAP-
Glove laughs at locksmiths,'' we are told
but rat traps are not subjects of laughter.
even to the blind god himself, as I shall show
you in the sequel of this brief story.
ssBut you will go tonight rs
eyes wil.''
ssAnd if 1 have old Bob behind the barn, at
twelve, you'll be waiting inside and we'll drive
to New York and get married right straight
off the reel 20
eyes. When all the folks arc in bed and
asleep I'll steal out OF the wash-house door,
go to the barn, get in and disguise myself.
When you come, put in your finger, lit the
latch, open the barn door, and I'll drop into
your arms like ripe apple Oh! l do so
love to run away Won't it be delightful 20
The speakers were Joe Clavers and Mary
Miller. l need not mention that they were
lovers. Mary's father prosperous flra!cr
of Connecticut, and Mary herself one OF the
widest, most Hght-headed, romantic, inno-
cent, and affectiouate creatures ever made af-
ter the ssalmost divine'' model of mother Eve.
Joe was a generous, impulsive youth, whose
parents had once seen fatterng days, but had
of late been unfortunate, and fallen into COM
parative poverty.
Farmer Miller, as he grew rich, grew am
bilious. Mary was his only child. He look
ed TO her settlement in the world means of
his own social advancement, and had already
selected in his minds eye, suitable match
for her. OF course Joe's attentions, there
fore, did not meet with his appoyal; and while
he was unwilling to be thought sordd enough
To- h oil OFr ba
had suggested to that young adventurer the
propriety of abSnnting himself altogether from
Mary's attractive presence. This done, he
had assured Mary of his resolution to dispose
of her hand according to his own notions of
feminine happiness.
l need not say that these facts, operating
upon the mind of thoughtless, loving, &c
centric, and spirited child, like Mary, had 4
peculiar effect. That very moment she deter
mined to marry Joe Clayers. He was evident
" prosecuted! Persecution only made him
the dearer to her. She liked him before, but
now she loved him. In fact, the more she
thought Of it, the more she was convinced
that he was an angel, and that perfect idolatry
on her part would only be act of noble de-
votion.
If Farmer Miller had been a sensible man
and at all disposed to study human nature, he
would have adopted perhaps a very different
course towards his wayward daughter. He
would have introduced his proposed son-in
law, and forbidden her at the same time, t'
indulge in the slightest regard for him. The
probability is that she would have fallen des
perately in love with him at first sight, an'
T., l. fart
but Farmer Miller had way of his OVID, il
all things, and he was satisfied that, shoult
Mary feel disposed to play him trick, he wa
quite able to manage a Roland for her Oliver
The very next morning after he had, In thi
manner. ssopened his mind' as he called Ii
to his daughter, he luckily happened to Sc
Joe CIavers make his furtive entrance INT
the kitchen where Mary was busiiy at WORK
but not singing as usual, for she was 0roodin
over the parental cruelty.
Farmer Miller did not permit many minute
20 elapse before he had placed himself in tn
wash house. which adioined the kitchen, S
that he might hear all that passed between tn
discomfited lovers. He did hear the diaiogu
with which have commenced this htstorieH
Tie nossessed himself of the plan of the COZ
tempIated elopement, and he was satisfied.
ssShc is going to run away, is she T. ne Sal
10 himself. esI'll teach him lesson "arra'
me; and as for the little gipsy' /, Ii Se''ie 10
business very speedily"
After tea that evening, Mary retired 10 IL
little room, her heart beating with anxiety II
the approach of midnight. Her surprise M
be imagined when, half an hour aiter"aFu
she found herself prisoner! She frieu u
handle of the lock. 1t would not NOV
What was to be done? Could 1t nave os'
fastened on her by accident9 She caiieu
her father, and he came.
ssWhat's the matter, Mary 70 was his exc
nation, without, however, opening the clia'
Der door.
esMy door IS fast, and I cannot get out z"
every well DEAR vas his reply ego