The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-22
An Exciting Chase.


An Oregon Romance.
Although the rain descends and sea.
sons come and go, Cupid never ceases
his arrow practice upon the susceptible
hearts OF rich or poor Of all nations,
Champoeg- willamette, Oregon, is
classed in the above, as q romance has
Just been enacted worthy OF q much
larger county aud much more notoriety.
It is repetition of "the old, old
story" wherein the beating OF two
hearts as one is interrupted by the
interference OF pater and materiamilias,
who place their foot down upon further
proceedings, and soy that such things
shall not be. In this instance love
laughed at iniunctions and DEGREES,
and despite opposition, clung around
the hearts OF the two young folks. In
the vicinity Of Champoeg there dwells
n well.to.do farmer named James Riley,
who possesses, besides his better half
and several boys, a young and beautiful
daughter, who Is the pride Of the house.
hold and the pet of the young men. BY
her fresh beauty and brown golden
hair she has justly won the title OF the
belle OF Marion. AS report says, there
came young man wooing named
Clarence Hunt, whose afTable manners
and prepossessing appearance gained
the bellies favor for him almost on
sight. As days and weeks rolled on,
the high regard developed into the
most dovout love. The situation was
comprehended by the parents, alas toe
late. The Rubicon was passed and the
die was cast. The sacred VOWS were
made and carried by angels and written
in Heaven.
No power could separate or cause
them to cease TO love. Repeatedly theil
meetings were strictly forbidden, undel
penalty of eternal banishment from
home. Things became turbulent fol
the young compile, and they decided to
elope. Everything necessary was got
in readiness and in secret way and I'M.
der tho cover OF darkness. At last the
appointed hour came, and the loving
maiden was stolen from her little bed
and wrapped in robes beside her in
tended, seated behind two fast steeds.
Everything fixed, they bid farewell to
fettered freedom, and sped rapidly
away toward the land OF the rising sun.
They had scarcely placed mile be.
tween the exacting parents and them
selves before they were discovered.
The young lover had taken " time by
the forelock, "and turned the horses into
the pasture. Some time was consumed
before they could be caught, and then
two of the boys started in pursuit,
thereby giving tho elopers IN oppor.
tunity to widen the breach between
them. II was truly love fleeing
by starlight, pursued by indignation in
the shape Of two angry brothers. On,
on they flew before the wind, urging
tho poor horses on at their utmost
speed. They felt that pursucrs were
on their trail, and they, of course, were
naturally nervous, and did not halt to
plan for the future or build air.castles.
At Geryais the pursuers lost the trail,
and hurried on to the capital, where
they arrived just as the morning light
began TO weave network through the
misty clouds in tho east. Meeting n
policeman, they wanted to know II lie
hpd seen their sister, and said that she
had run away with fellow, and they
wanted to find them. In company, they
searched the hotel registers in vain.
The truth OF the situation flashed across
their minds as they retraced their steps
toward Gervais, laboring under the con-
viction that they had been given the
slip, and, ere that time the romantic
couple had stood at Hymen's altar and
made the vow to Glove, honor, and re-
spect." The chase was fruitlcss, so
they slowly wended their way to their
home, from out of which tho iairest
rose had Just been plucked. Truly,
the course, though turbulent at first,
now lies as calm as sleeping Innocence.