The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-14
BARRIos' RUDE CotRrsHIP.
He Selected Maiden, Educated
Her and Forced Her to Marry

He Selected a Maiden, Educated
Her and Forced Her to Marry
Him.
GUATEMALA Cry, March 12-.The
manner in which Barrios got his wife
illustrates the character and methods OF
the man. Being on journey into the.
interior, be was entertained by q mer-
chant OF some note, who rad a daugh-
ter, rosebud Of girl, whose beauty
struck responsive chord in the heart
OF the widower President. Before leav.
ing the place be informed his host that
he desired to make the girl bis wife, but
as she was not quite old enough to be
married, he wished her sent TO school
and educated in English and French
conversation, in music, embroidery and
painting. In about two years be thought
she would be OF sufficient age and &C.
complebments to preside in the. Presi-
Dental palace, when be would formally
ask the honor OF her hand 10 marriage.
This proposition rather staggard the
country merchant, and be was only able
to reply, "Si. Senor, the girl is yours;"
but in his mind be- determined that MOI
daughter Of his should ever be thelwffes
of Rufino Barrios. The President, how
ever, kept an eye on the family, and
twice sent an officer 10 remind them
about the school arrangements before
the latter carried 1t out He Also adver-
tised extensively that be bad selected the
maiden as his future wife, and would
marry her as soon as her education was
completed.
He Claimed His Bride.
Two years passed and Barrios claim.
ed his bride The girl refused TO marry
him, and the father sustained her In the
refusal, expressing his views OF his
would-be son-in-law in no guarded terms.
To speak evil Of the King is treason
here, as 1t used to be 10 England in the
time OF Henry III, and the country
merchant was promptly arrested. His
property was con6scated for the use Of
the Government, and he Was sent to
work 10 the streets with ball and chain
to his leg. 1t sounds like a fifteenth
century romance. bat every oae in Qua.
temaia knows the story is true.
Finally, the girl, frightened at her IA
theirs distress, gave in and begged the
old gentleman to yield hls consent. He
reluctantly did so. and attended the most
brilliant wedding feast that was ever
known in Central America. The bride
received diamond necklace and coro-
net, half million dollars in money, and
the finest residence in Guatemala. The
father was released from arrest, his prop
city was restored TO him, be was esta5.
llshed in the banking business, and be-
came the fiscal agent OF the Govern
ment, which is worth small fortune to
him every year. Barrios very gener-
ously forgave the old man, and The two
are now great chums. ~
A Lovely Woman--Her New York
|. Property.
Mrs. Barrios is the loveliest woman in
Guatemala, beautiful in character rs we'll
as in person, socially brilliant and grace.
fol, charitable beyond all precedent in
country where the poor are usually per-
mitted to take care Of themselves, gen.
erous and hospitable, a good mother to
fine family Of children, aud devoted
wife, loyal to all the Presidents ambi-
tions, and an enthusiastic supporter of
all his schemes Their rude courtship
intensified the devotion OF their married
life, and the most ardent admirerof Pres.
ident Barrics to-day is in bis own house,
hold. There Is q tender spot In the ty-
rant's heart, for he lie deyotediy attached
10 his wife and children, whose portraits
stand always before him uton bis desk
in the executive Office
Like wise man who knows the perils
which constantly surround him, and the
uncertainty OF the head which wedrS'a
crown in these counties, he hss made
ample provision for, his family by pur-
chasing for Mrs. Bsrrios o handsome
residence on Fifth avenue, near Sixty
first street, New York, and investing
about million dollars In her name in
other New York real estate. His life is
also insuredsor s250,000 In New. York
companies, which, it must be said, have
taken hazardous risk, ss there are hun
dreds Of men who live only TO see Bar
rios buried. Very few OF them are il
Guatemala. They do not Hnd the aimos-
phere agreeable here. They are exiles
iu Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, CALI
fornia, or elsewhere, but waiting for .
chance to give hina dose OF dypa mite
or prick him with dagger.