The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1874-05-29
From jackson [Ienn.) Wing, May 3 J
A RACE FOR A BRIDE.

! vet, nc the same time, there u
"many a slip between the cup and
the lip" The following true story
pungently illustrates both of the
above truisms. II happened a few
days age in an adjoining county. A
comeIy youth fell madly in love with
a rural belle. She smiled upon his
suit and doubtless sighed on his
waistcoat. They resolved 10 be-
come "twain of one hesh,' but the
stern father of the would be bride
was dead against it, and fiercely for
bid the bans. But Glove laughs at
bolts and bars and the young
couple stole away amid the friendly
darkness of a moonless night, fled to
a neighbor's and about dawn the
next morning succeeded in procur-
ing the services Of parson. All
things were made ready to tie the
silken knot, and the hopes of the
lovers beat high with the joys of a
speedy fruition. But right here the
parson manifested some doubts as to
the propriety of the proceeding, and
insisted on sending for the cruel pa
rent and getting his consent before
proceeding with the ceremony.
After much arguing and his prom
ising to intercede with the girls faith
er, and convincing both that success
would certainly crown his appeals in
their behalf, they finally consented,
and the irrascible old gent was sent
for. Here comes in that other tru-
ism: There's many a slip twixt
the cup and the lip" In due sea-
son and within the hour for the mes,
senger to return with the cruel pa,
rent, fierce clatter of hoofs was
heard down the lane and a voice
wildly shouting, 81 wont consent,
id if do; | solemnly forbid them
bans" struck CONSERVATION and ter
ror into the hearts of the would-be
bride and groom. The groom ran
to the door, and, looking down the
lane saw at its further end the infu-
rate father coming like the wind,
under whip and spur, hat in hand,
his white hair wildly streaming, and
shouting with every breath, II won't
consent" etc.
With the promptness of a veteran
the layer seized bis islteadaa hrsdc
and mounted his steed in hot haste,
bore her off in the opposite direction
at furious speed. The father, with
the vigor Of despair, plunged his spurs
deeper into his foaming horse, and
gave hot pursuit, followed by the
parson and the assembled guests all
mounted, and taking a lively inter>
ests in the sequel of the race
Down the road, over hills, through
the mist of valleys, into forests vo.
cal with tbs songs of morning, they
held their mad career. But the
steed that bore the lovers gradually
slackened his pace under the double
burden, and the avenging parent
steadily gained on them. Finally
he overlook the flying pair, and
reaching forth snatched bis daugh-
ter from her lovers grasp, wheeled
his painting steed, and bore her rap.
idly towards home.
The lover, maddened, but not de
spairing, gave chase and back
over the same road, cheered by the
shouts of the excited party, rushed
the father and daughter and lover.
The young man soon devoured the
distance between him and his in
tended bride, and with a grasp Of
iron tore her from the parental arms
and essayed to bear her off in iris
umph. But the old man, game to
the last renewed his strength and
speed, and again seized his daugh-
ter, and furious struggle for pos
session ensued. But the party of
friends and the parson put an end to
the struggle by giving the girl to
her father and advising the young
man to wait for more propitious
occasion. Thus ended, but not fin
ally, we feel assured, one of the most
exciting races for a bride known to
either truth or fiction.