Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-11-01
HOW FRED WON HIS BRIDE
BY OLGA A. COLEMAN

BY OLGA A. COLEMAN.
Time, more than one hundred years
ago; place, the home of Mr.. Baldwin,
one Of the earliest settlers of Central
New York.
1t was long, low house, tho base.
mont of which was built of rough
stones, whiIo the upper portion con.
sisted of framework, ending in rather
wide, yet also very steep gable roof
In the real of the house was tho gradu.
ally inclined hill with its scattered
trees, tho outpost Of the dense woods
that crowned its summit. Below the
house, however, were meadows through
which the Mohawk River llowed IN Sil-
very, serpont.llkc curves, while over
this whole charming landscape picture
was sky rs blue rs that OF blessed
Italy.
Walking loisurely along the path
which led from the meadows to tho
house, was Margaret, Mr.. Baldwin's
only child, who, with her open countc-
nance, her sparkling blue eyes and gold
en- hair, was II most beautiful girl,
whose equal could not bo found in the
whole valley; as bright rs tho morning,
witha happy heart like the merry birds
that warbcd in the trees, she trippcd
along with pail of foaming milk in
each hand, singing one of her favorilc
songs.
Margaret, called gentle voice,
and the robust figure of Mrs. Baldwin
appeared in the doorway; "Margaret,
your father wishes to speak with you. y
The song died away on Margare!'s
lips, and shadow crossed the sunny
face Of the girl. With 4 sigh she hand
ed the milk pals to her mother, and
entered the house.
In his privatc room, seated before the
fret was cool October morning
was Mr. Baldwin, u wcll-nourished
figure. He removed his pipe, bowed
indilerontIy TO the morning greeting
Of his daughter, and then said in an
abrupt manner: "Sit down. Why did
you act so rude toward John Martin
yesterday while shelling cOrn?"
A deeper red sulused Margarct's
cheeks rs she answered. II was not
rude. Who has accused me OF it?"
"Martin himself. He came here late
last night and angrily complained that
You hnl refused to dance with him.
IL could not do it, because had al
ready promised anothcr-cousin Fred. "
Mr., Baldwin frOwned.
"a girl,n said he, must dance with
her bridcgroom-clcct, if he requests
her to DO So"
Margaret answered haughtily, "Who
says that John Martin is my bride.
grOom-elect?'
81 say so" replied Mr.. Baldwin in
m angry tone.
"Blt can not love him, father!'
pleaded tho grl, trying to restrain her
tears.
"And why not? Is he not hand
some young man, and he will also be-
come rich, for his father owns the
largest and bost tract Of land in tho
valley. Only lot me tell you that
three score girls would accept him
with great joy
"Let them have him." answered the
girl snappishly, 81 don't want him."
"And know why" continued her
father in an irritating manner. 1t is
only because you are in love with your
cousin-Fred. Farnham-the fool!
Foolish girl! What is he moro than n
dreamer, who kills time by making
rhymes day and night, or sits over
pots and kettles like woman; who
continually broods over chemistry,
science and such useless things; who
infccts the house with the smell of his
gasses and sputtCring mixtures! 1t
were better that he take care of himself,
otherwise tho people will regard him
rs one who NEEDLES with sorcory and
the like, and will treat him rs the peo.
Pile do with sorccrers in the eastern
colonies. And what does he expect to
accomplish by all thisP Does ho think
OF finding the stone of the wise men
with which everything can be turned
into gold2 Plague take tho lazy, good
for,nothing fellow"
"The prophet has no authority in
his native laud!" answered Margaret
quietly. Erred. ranks high among
mon OF genius. Even Benjamin Frank
lin, whom you yourself acknowledge to
be wise and patriotic man, writes to
Fred. as an equal, and consults his
views and opinionsr'
"Bah! Franklin accomplishes somo-
thing more besides his chemical expert
monts, He is ever ready to stand up
and defend his country when it is in
danger"
"Aud Fred, too. But as you well
know, he has yet hardly recovered
from tho fever. Mr.. Stanton, the
doctor, says it is not advisable for him
to return to his regiment for two weeks
at least, il he does not care to expert
ence relapse"
"Yes, know that" answered Mr..
Baldwin, half aloud. But" con.
tinued he in passion. "if this were moi
the Doctors order, l would dispatch
the philosopher, together with his en-.
tire effects, his acids, gases and who
knows what else, through the door, al.
though he be my cousins son. And ]
tell you, Margaret, you will yet be
Martins wife. My word is law in my
house!" emphasized the old man, and
puffed several strong draughts from
his pipe into the room; whereupon he
arose and left the room with heavy, re.
verberating steps.
Margaret stood there, detected and
almost despairing. TWAS as her father
had said-his word was law in the
house. Still, although she had always
been an obediont child, her heart wa;
now in wild rebellion against the ter
rible conclusion. John Martin! How
she despised the young, conceited Off
Ger with his awkward bearing. "Oh,
| hate himl" she cried out, in passion.
ate agitation.
"Whomp not me, l hope, dear Mar
garetr spoke up q pleasant voice
while shadow fell on the floor of the
room, upon, which the sunbeams were
dancing merrily.
Margaret looked up, colored deeply
and with a charming smile upon he'