The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-10-13
The Desperado's Marriage.

! too, emgrated before he had scarcely attained
his majority, to what was then known as the
wild west.
| | do 5not know as there is any necessity Of
particuarizing the exact locality which Theo-
dore chose for his future abors suffice it that it
was in B, a town Of rapid growth, situated
one Of the great western rivers, town which
was little troubled by desperadoes, and good
deal by the Indians, who were then at war with
the whites.
Well Theodore chose B as the field of
his labor; and he had just had time to make
himself beloved by an,amiable little congrega-
ton and to fall in love himself with a charming
little woman, when an accident occurred to re-
mind him that for ministers and lovers there
are storms Of trbulation here below.
Theodore, late one evening, was returning
home from little prayer meeting in the town,
and wondering, | suppose, why it was that the
lady of his love was not there, when his pleas
ant or unpleasant reflections were interrupted
in very sudden and shocking manner.
The truth is, two men rushed upon Theodore
from behind, knocking him down, bound his
hands behind him, and tied handkerchief over
his eyes, before be could utter cry for assis-
tance. Now, as his confused senses returned,
he was coolly informed that word from him
above a whisper would place his life in danger
Seeing the folly of making any resistance,
Theodore suffered the robbers-or whoever
they were-to do with him hat they liked; but
percevng that they were making preparations
to carry linn away, he ventured to remonstrate
my friends" said he, "ifi It is your design to
rob me, allow me to save you the trouble. by
informing you that my purse, containing 3D.
is in my left hand trousers pocket. There are
also three cents in my right hand vest pocket
This is all the money have, and that you are
welcome to, if you will release me, and let me
go my way''
Course your money! muttered a savage
voice. 1--WE want you to 60 our way. We
have a job for you to do, which you shall be
well paid for, if YOU do it we'll while you will
be shot if you don't So hold your tongue, and
follow our drections.'
Seeing that it was useless to remonstrae
Theodore suffered himself to be placed in car
rage, and carried away-he knew not where.
Sometimes he thought they were riding through
woods-then over the pralre-and again on
the river bank. At length the carriage
stopped. ....
Theodore was taken out and led, still blind
fold, into a house, where he was sure he had
never been before. Then one of his guides said,
and as he spoke, Theodore knew, by the
sound of bis voice, that they were in small
room:
You have only to do as directed, and in half
an hour you will be set down again in the same
spot where you were picked up. | am going
to unite. your hands, but if you remove the
bandage from your eyes, it may be dangerous
that's al.''
1t Itisimpossibe to describe Theodore's wonder
at the strange proceedings, of which he was the
subject Yet, he had partly OWNED the mys
terry, whensthe man added:
Now, | will tell you what you are to do.
There is to be wedding, and you are to per-
form the ceremony. Give me your hand, and
| will lead you to the happy pair
In the midst of dead silence, the minister
was led into another room, and placed before
the couple. who, he was told, were named
William and Cauarine, and who desired te be
Immediately married.
The minister proceeded, therefore, to Join
William and Catharine in the bonds of holy
wedIock, which, he dreaded to think, could
not be all holy in this instance. Once, when
the lady answered with timid ''yes'' to bis
njunctions to love, honor and obey, he started,
and a dizziness seized his heart. Theodore
thought he had heard that voice bcfore-the
name too, being the same as that which was
most dear to him, filled him with apprehension.
Trembling, he scarce knew what he did But
the ceremony was over. Suddenly he beard a
sigh, and desperate, half insane with what he
feared and dreaded, he tore the bandage from
I his eyes. A pale beautiful girl stood before
him, and tall, dark athletic man Theodore
uttered suppressed cry, eIapped his hand to
his brow, and was the next moment prostrated
by the strong arm of the bridegroom.
When he recovered his senses, Theodore was
being dragged along the ground by two power
full men. TheJ approached the river. He felt
that they were lashing to bis body large stone
Then he shrieked for help shreked wildly for
help but regardless of his cries, the men cast
him off the bank into the deep and rapid stream
There was splash-a bubbling cry-and the
stone had sunk with its living companion!'
The case of Richard Bogart and others VS..
Catharine Leland, alias Calharne Bogart led
to one of the most peculiar and interesting trials,
which had ever come under the observation of
the Judges of the circuit court.
AS this exciting civil process drew to close
it became the principal topic of conversation
throughout the entire county of which B
was the shiretown. No criminal trial even, had
ever created such a sensation in B. The
defendant-ay young beautiful and amiable csea
ture-was universally beloved and the sympa-
thies of the populace were enlisted in her favor.
The day had arrived on which her fate was
to be determined The decision of the court
would either leave her in possession Of honor
and wealth. or plunge her at once into poverty
and shame.
Pale distressed, worn out with sorrow and
care, the amiable Catharine awaited in her large
and elegant residence-from which she knew
not how soon she might be drlven-the result
of the trial.
Her mother, from whom Catharine had been
separated for many years, hearing of her per-
secution, hastened to console her 1t was nos
however, until the last day Of the trial that Mrs.
Leland arrived in B.. The mother and
daughter embraced they sobbed in each others
arms; and it was many minutes before they re.
covered from their emotion to speak.
20, my child, my daughters then said Mrs.
Leland, how little did think when gave my
consent tn yOrr west with your unc1a