The Republican journal., 1880-11-11
BELFAST MAINE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER IL, 1890

"lndeed, | remember that WELL and no
small pluck of you. Are you the man Z
Surely you had no beard then 2"
"l had not, and ceased not toreprobate
myself that | suffered you to give me the
slip"
Mr.. Stirling laughed heartily at this,
and assured Ezekiel that he should not
have the slip now, and with that he urged
him to get together all the young men
who were in that party, whom he could,
and to bring them around to the tavern.
'And be sure you come, John Folsom"
he said. "The war is ended let Us be
friends"
Mr.. John Folsom was so greatly pleas
ed with that sentiment that he went with
the others to the grand dinner Mr.. Stir
ling gave his Woud-be captors at the
tavern, and Of all the men who drank
heavily and showed it, none drank deep
er nor showed it less than did John Fol
som and when Mr. Stirling rose and pro-
posed the health Of Miss Abby Folsom af-
timated, John Folsom felt that his cup of
JOY was full, The toast, however. led to
a little conversation in an undertone
between Ezekiel Dickerman and another
youth, that John Folsom did not hear,
but which Mr.. Stirling did
''loung oilliman was there Sunday
night, Ezekiel
80 hear"
"But she seems ayerse to him.
"Only the way Of q pretty girl"
"Theyll be married by the next
Thank Sgiving, venture"
"a safe venture, Samuel, for Young
Sllliman has promise Of doing we'll in New
\ Ork.
Mr.. stirling did not quit Strattord the
next day, nor for many days, and he hoy
cred around Miss Abby after the manner
pf lover, So it was said that he was
really keeping company with Miss
Abby, and that she did not greatly op-
pose him.
Some how or other rumor had it that
Mr.. Stirling was a peer of the realm of
Great Britain, and then it began to be
whispered that Mr. Stirling had d Wife in
England.
John RuggIes stoutly denied this.
'Do you suppose Abby Folsom would
not find that out y he said
The story circulated, and there were
few who did not believe it. 1t got to
young Sllliman's ears, and he made great
ado about it, and when Ezekiel Dicker-
man proposed one evening that Mr.. Stir
ling he put On his horse and led out of
town far on the New Haven turnpike,
there We're young men enough in STRAIT
ford who were ready TO have a hand in
the business
John Ruggles disappeared suddenly
one day While all this fuss was being
made, and the excitement this caused,
added to the undcrcurrcnt Of feeling that
had set in against Mr., Stirling, put the
young men in such Il state OF mind that
they were ready at any time 70 act on
Ezekiel Dlckerman's suggestion. There
cam" one evening a rumor that Miss
Abby was to marry Mr.. Stirling, and that
speedily, and when Ezekiel Dickerman
heard that he made all haste to see young
>lllman. Failing in this, With two com
panlons he Went straight to the forge,
and then he told John Folsom the story
that had troubled them SO greatly. John
Folsom said nothing, but rested with his
elbows on the helvc of the biz hammer
awhile Then he put on his coat, braced
bis small clothes, and went straight to
his cottage, followed 10y the young men.
They found Mr. Stirling in the Kitchen
holding a sllein of yarn, which Miss Abby
wound into ball,
Before 4 word was said, the door was
thrown open violently, and john RuIgles
came in going straight to the biL fireplace
and standing there with his head con
cealed.
"Mr. Stirling" said John Folsom, Il
would tain not Say what must. but It's
my duty. Ezekiel here, who is a trust
worthy lad, and the others say, what |
can't believe, that-that
"Gou have 4 wife in England" said
Ezekiel, lupetuously
There was a noise like the sudden rush
of wind, a scut1e, and Ezekiel Dickerman
lay on the grass, sore with the force OF Il
blow that John Ruggles had dealt him
and With the violence With which Ruggles
had elected him from the house
Then Ruggles went back to the chimney.
sit is false said Abby Folsom; II
Will trust this man without the word of
denial that YOU want"
''Praisc God from whom al blessings
flow, came meodiously from the chimney
place, and the hand of John Ruggles was
seen stretched out with letter in it.
"For Abby he said
She took it, and without reading it
handed it to her father.
lie read it and then took Mr.. STRINGS
hand. "Remember Sir John Stirling,
tlat | did not accuse YOU, and assure
these young men that until this moment
| knew not that you had title"
II knew it, father" said Miss Abby
This letter." added John Folsom,
turning to the young men, lis signed by
the Hon. John Jones. 1t gives his con
gratulations both to my daughter and to
Sir John Stirling, on account of their ap-
preaching nuptials, and adds that he has
known of Sir John from his bOyh0od.
John Ruggles, did you go to New York to
get this z"
II did why not ?"
Sir John Stirling without word, rose,
and taking from his finger ring of much
value, seized John Ruggles's hand and put
it on the third finger.
Not many days after Sir John Stirling
married Abby Folsom, and soon after
sailed for England leaving her behind.
There are some who said he never would
return. He never did, but he sent his
secretary for her in vessel richl~ pre-
pared for her comfort.
In Burke's peerage is the following
memorandum
Sir John Sterling married Miss Fosome of STRAIT
ford, IN North America, BY whom he had mum
eronS family.
The title is borne to-day by the grand
nephew of Sir John Stirling.