Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-21
GaIes and Skeitbes.
For the Journal.
the EHIGRAsfs.
BY II. VI. &. r..

BY II. VI. c. r.

(Contlnucd from Yesterday
Oh those never-to-be-forgotten hours
ere the writing spirit could on Bonded
kpee Acknowledge the punishment just.
for leaving the faith of her fathers and
following-what?-an ignis fatuus-the
false, glittering. bale-fires, kindled by
corrupt and sacrilegious hands. She saw
it all now,-the mercenary motives.-the
contemplate deceit Of the man. She
despised herself for having loved and so
ably helped him. but like voice came the
words to comfort her. God knoweth the
heart" and before her clearer vision rose
the multitude, many Of them young girls
duped like herself and perhaps even now
suffering the consequences OF their
credulity.
.Ah woe woe - She exclaimed, "sure-
" God caunot long suffer such iniquity-
Would that we could flee. if only to the
wilderness, then the words of Mr.. Odney
showing how securely they were held by
the ..impenetrable wilds'' came to her
auickened ear with cruel significance.
How fortunate dear guardy refused to
place all my fortune at my disposal
keeping it to send to me when | wanted
il. ] must keep my secret" she unused.
land watch and wait. for wiH get away
somehow" and with somewhat vague
ideas of a plan Of action, she opened the
door to the gentle rap, which she
was not mistaken in supposing to be
Ruth's. Wearing mask OF calm in
difference, she accepted the offer of tray
Of nicely prepared food, eating but little
however. meanwhile trying to read the
hidden meaning of the sad. sweet face.
which seemed to speak so strongly OF
sympathy. while its owner talked Of in
different subjects. Could she trust her
was the auesiion--so soon had the most
implicit faith in humanity given place to
dstrust of everybody in the poor wounded
heart.
Ruth informed her incidentally that
within two days there was to be a great
meeting Of the Elders and the people. at
which the Prophet would give the hand OF
fellowship and administer the rites Of
confirmation TO the new proselytes who
had lately come among them.
Long after Ruth had left her did she
sit bordering upon this.
Firmly resolved that she never would
take another step toward entering a
church which her whole soul rose in re-
volt to condemn, she yet could scarcely
see how to avoid this ceremony. to which
she had looked forward with pleasure only
few days before.
Throwing herself upon her couch.-the
heavy. aching pain in her head and limbs
gave rise to the thought that perhaps she
would be too i'll to be expected to go.
All night she tossed about in feverish
x,1&x. b. nd la -
eyes which held a meaning in them, call
ed forth the next morning all Ruth's
compassionate skill.
Days heightened into weeks, while the
wan face grew paler and thinner. till
it seemed as though the life
forces had grown too feeble to
combat the encroachments Of disease. and
still they waited.
The ceremony had been postponed in
respect for one, who being the wife of
their successful missionary. had been one
Of the ablest instruments of his success in
his late work. EHs
But now il was thought best to proceed !;
discomfort had manifested itself in more
than one instance. for the sturdy thinkers
Of the old world did not like the deceit
which had been practiced upon them, and
while some endured in sullen silence.
others were clamorous and threatened
trouble. Among these last were the
lie being a wealthy merchant. was.
with his beautiful daughters, prize worth
securing. and the picture OF home in
the delightful lefty of the saints" was
deity drawn and wildly colored. Now,
r., L. L. ALL IL
" was found to fall far below their antic-
ipations.
Adding then, the-to them-rcpulsive
features Of polygamy as presented by the
Prophets order that the lovely Scotch
girls should at once be added to the by
no means small number Of wives possess
ed by that dignitarv. brought out at once
an irate and decided refusal upon the part
of both father and daughters. more EN-
phatic perhaps on the part of the Young
est and handsomest OF the two. for the
reason that her betrothed husband was
among the newly arrived.
This was evidently new phase of the
subject which Brigham Young in his
somewhat ample experience in marrying
had not before encountered. He conde-
scended to visit them. however. and in his
well worn character Of chivalric, dignified
yet genial gentleman, explained the high
honor etc. intended them in this not well
understood proceeding Of his.
They listened In respectful silence. but
at the close of his rather lengthy harangue,
Mr.. Currier begged him to consider their
avowed decls1on Is final in snch firm.
though cotS1oous manner, that it was
quite evident that they considered them
selves the arbitsators q their own fortunes
AS in their NATIVE country. upon which the
willy Prophet retired. firmly resolved how
ever that they should be brought tn feel
that his will was the controlling power in
Salt Lake City. and more anxious than
ever to carry out his design.
Harry Edion Was terribly enraged upon
being told Of the insult. a. he deemed it.
that was offered to his betrothed. and at
once sought out Mr.. Odney. demanding
to know Why they were subjected 10 such
treatment. reminding him that he had
known Of their betrothal before leaving
Edinburg. and also of his promise that
their marriage should take place immedi
ately upon their arrival. with what he told
them were the impressive ceremonies Of
their faith. and now demanding the imme-
diate fulfillment of that promise.
Mr.. Odney was in something like a di-
lemma. He was well aware that these
,v, mar, hnlI rvroaf ;nAnopca smnpsr tho