Litchfield enquirer., 1875-04-01
First Love and secon d Marriage.
A ROMANCE IN THE LER OF AN UNRoMAN
 TIC MAN.

First Love and Secon d Marriage. A ROMANCE IN THE LER OF AN UNRoMAN-
 TIC MAN.
 |. William Bradford, whose name stands second on the list of signatures to the eel ebrated compact made in the little cabin of the Mayhower. and who became the second governor of Plymouth Colony, was was born at Amsterfeld, Yorkshire, Eng land, in the month of March, 1588. His parents dying in his youth, he was left to the care of grandparents, and after them to his uncles. His family was respecta- ble, but was among the yeomanry of Eng land, and he was bred to agriculture. At an early period he took upon himself the care of his large estates, and to improve and beautify them was his occupation and his pleasure. But while each day found him busy with the men in the fields, night found him busy with his books. He became proficient in Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages, and French and Ger man he both read and spoke with ease. While still a mere youth, he identified himself with the Puritans, and at seven- teen years of age was one of a company who attempted to escape to Holland in quest of liberty to worship as their con- sciences counseled. But they were betray- ed, and cast into prison at Boston, Lin colnshire. While religion, and numerous other grave and earnest objects had their place in his mind, there was one corner where more beautiful, less grave, but as earnest passion held sway. Love had entered the heart of the young Puritan, and often, while his head was bowed over his book, the graceful figure of her he loved would charm his eyes, making his heart throb with delight. When as 8 child he had played with little Alice Car penter, he knew that she was lovelier and sweeter to him than any other golden haired, rosy-ipped little fairy. She was just two years younger than himself.
 As years passed, and her form became taller and fuller, the golden curls deepen ing in shade to sunny brown, she grew more beautiful to him. Many were the walks they had together. His land joined her fathers, and of a summer evening, leaning over the hedge that divided them, long and sweet were the conversations they enjoyed. One evening in autumn, Alice announced to him that in two days, more she was to go to London with an aunt, to stay some months. The news came like death blow to William. The Carpenter family had been highly distin- guished in former times, aud one of it's members had received from the king the honor of knighthood, but now they were indigent, and William determined to risk his fate, and ask Alice of her stern and proud father. He hoped that his own broad lands and fair name might influence the father to accept him as a suitable match for this lovely but portionless girl. But he did not know the pride of the stern old man. He was dismissed with naughty and severe reproofs for his pre- sumption. His religious belief would have raised barrier had there been no other, and sad was the interview of the young lovers that evening at the trysting- py hours. It was to be their last meeting William was too proud and high minded, and Alice too dutiful to act in opposition to 8 fathers wishes.
 Alice went to London and in course of time was married to Constant Southworth, wealthy and honorable man. William devoted himself to his farm and books.
 By-and by, he felt that wife was need ful to him; and his eye fell on Dorothy May. sensible discreet woman, of his own rank in life. He did not love her as he had loved Alice, but he felt an honest and true affection for her, and she proved an estimable and faithful wife. The num- Der of those protesting the Puritan faith increased, and trial and persecution were their lot. William was one of the earliest advocates for their removal to America, where they might enjoy their religion un- disturbed. He was with the little band in their nasty flight, in their sojourn in London, and upon their stormy and peri lous ocean in the cabin of the Mayhower.
 While in Cape Cod harbor, and during his absence with party sent to explore the coast, his faithful wife Dorothy fell from the ship and was drowned. He sin cerely mourned for her, for she had been an affectionate wife, but with the submis- sion of christian, he calmly turned to the duties of hfe-life for him was a war fare with hunger and cold, disease and savage enemies. What the colonists sui fered is we'll known.
 Mir. Bradford was now mature man of thirty-two, and when Governor Carver died few months after their arrival, he was elected his successor, and for period of thirty one months he directed the affairs of the colony. But while with fatherly care he watched over the interests of the little colony, he often felt the want of a woman's ready sympathy and soothing tenderness. He thought of Alice. The love he felt for her had never died out in his heart While the husband of another it had slunbered, but now Alice and him. sel9 were both free-for her husband had died g year since. Did she remember the lover of her youth? And if she yet cher ished that memory. would she consent to leave happy home and troops of friends to share the fortunes of one in a wilder ness? At last he decided to write to her and propose that she should share his fortunes in the wilderness. Early in the spring of 1923 the letter was sent. He set before her faithfully all the trials and pri- vations to which she would be exposed; he left it to her to decide whether she could regard his love as an equivalent for the sacrifice she would be called upon to make. And he requested her if she should consent, since the affairs of the colony would not suffer his absence, to take pas sage in the first ship bound for the colo nies.
 The time passed slowly to the Governor, until, on the 14th of August, sail was discovered, as yet speck on the horizon. It was the ship so long expected. It was in this ship he expected Alice. If she were not there, there would be at least 8 written rejection of his proposal. The whole population of the town crowded to the landing. Governor Bradford stood firm and erect, conspicuous among the little crowd. When the vessel touched the shore, all hurried .on board. The Governor passed from one to another with warm welcomings; but his eye watched for Alice. He sees her not. His hope has gone out. ''It is Gods will, {" says the devout Puritan. Just then female as- cends the stairs from the cabin. She is taller than the Alice of his remembrance. Strange, for though he knew years must have chagged her, yet she had always risen before h1s mind as the slender girl from whom he had parted. And here she stands. the beautiful, stately and dignifed woman. Probably she too, had her sur prise. For moment the pair looked at each other, and then ''Williaml' "AliceI' burst from their lips, and the hearts so long sundered were united. That. very oxvonirnr kho v,narp;nrno ~N1nno