Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-03-26


that they had been exchanging notes as
often as twice day through the entire
period of prohibition. The tone of the
particular note intercepted spurred the
inflamcd colonel to instant action, as in
learning from it the obstinacy of his
sons passions he discovered how much
engaged was his own heart.
But though confined to their homes,
though unable to communicate with one
soul outside, Godfrey and Ellen still
transmitted by the lneXplcablc Mcssen-
ger their daily notes, ardent with such
words as love in constraint may pen.
Quick-cyed Ellen had discovered this
messenger, and given the hint to God
frey before their communication through
servants was cut off-a contingency half
anticipated by them. Here is one of the
letters:
mo now than my own life, were brought yes
terduy by our tt1istU messenger; today he re-
turns this from thine Ellen. DO not speak,
Godfrey. of our confinement; ! would wait \
lifetime for thee nnd count II little. You aek
what fare have | in passing the time, but
truly II brings blushcs to my cheek to think
how time passes, given nll without wasted
minute to one constant precious thought;
and yet | am aba he'd to tell thee this, but
take a sweet pleasure IN robbing my own
Godfrey. in thought of you. oh, what CON.
qucrcd Beatrice am II And yet ! doubt II
your fathrr thinks me tanned spirit; for last
evening, when he came as customary on love
intent, ard the vine being set out, he shot the
customary compliment at me, replied with
that laugh you praise IN me so greatly that
such gallant words testified to mann UCdiS in
practice, and asked whether he thought the
ladies IN the Brazlls handsome when he jour
neycd there In his yoMh. But he bore these
t.,.- n,r1 hYatr I uls
him for his pluck, being your father, though
II cruel one now. Dear Godfrey, with thou
sand embraces, Your faithful ELLEN"
After certain lapse of time the OBJ
duracy of the lovers began to perplcx
the colonel and his ally, Mistress
Dwight-a righteous old maid who
thought young people born into the
world solely for purposes Of discipline
and abgegation. do not know what
turn affairs might have taken if prying
Mistress Dwight had not one day dis
covered one of Ellcn's letters, written
but not yet postcd-the very one have
just givcn-containing mention of the
"trusty messenger" The scene when
she displayed her discovery to the col
oncl and when Miss Ellen was later
called in for admonition in his presence
was worthy of Sheridan. Never be-
fore was the fair girl so brave, so gay,
so careless; never the colonel so tcsty
and determined; never the aunt so prim.
A dozen times the aunt cried "Fie! tic!'
to the niece; who would bind herself to
no engagement against writing, but
promised that they should hear when
ever letter came, adding that it would
assuredly be daily.
This promise, indeed, was kept.
Every evening came the colonel down
street, cooked hat on head and cane in
hand; and every evening Miss Ellen
threw back her head with mischievous
glance to tell him that she had been
pleased in learning of his son Godfrey $
welfare that day, and trusted that the
colonel shared in it. Often she added
some tritle of news from the other
household to complete the colonel's S
poignant assurance that the correspon-
dencc was of Il verify still passing be-
tween the lovers.
How it passed was mystery beyond
his comprehension, and, were not the
doughty colonel n man of the most solid
mental construction. likely to have con-
verted him to belief in spiritualism
He dismissed all his servants but two,
and employed constable of the town
to watch these; he had all the doors and
windows and the gates that opened on
the approaches to the mansion marked,
to reveal whether they were surrepti-
tiously opened by night; he even sat q
watch upon Mistress Dwight's house;
but all without throwing one ray of il
Elimination into the darkness of the
mystery. Yet he was not Il man of
half intentions, and before hesitating
many days he had decided upon action
that was almost more than summary,
as will appear in the sequel.
Meantime the mssives fitted between
young Godfrey and Ellen like arrows
that, visible mt the beginning and the
end of their course, refuse to be traced
in the passage. Through these, though
imprisoned, they had freedom III the
whole realm of loye and gave their hearts
to each other with the abandon of pas
sionate trust and regard in spirited
young natures. Without this commune
cation hardly would they have endured
their imprisonment so passively, though
the forces that coerced them were harsh
enough in those days, including as they
did not only the rigor of prescribed pa
rental authority. but the severe con-
demnation of Puritanical public opin-
ion as well.
Il do begin to fear this indomitable
father of thine,n wrote Ellen; "all my
weapons of defense seem light against
his heavy approaches. He has look
of intending to conquer by main
strength, if naught else will avail; and
that does n little remind me of the mov-
ing story he told lis once together of
once compelling pirate to confess hid
den treasure by suffocating the poor
wretch in Il barrel of smoke. But will
die ere marry another man than thee. "
When the Inexplicable Messenger
brought these words to Godfrey Carter
they greatly agitatcd him. He knew
not only that his father was one who
did not sticklc at harsh means to reach
a tempting end, but felt also that in the
subservicncy of the aunt to his wishes
the colonel had powerful aid, as in
his complete infatuation with the niece
he had the strongest of indictments to
action.
81 can not discourage your fears; they
are all my own," Godfrey answered
Ellen. Moreover, my father is quick
to move. Yesterday he drove in the
coach, being gone several hours on the
journey, am not certain where, but l
think from some word that Peter the
coachman dropped it was to Calvert
Hill. Now it is at this Calvert Hill that
the notorious minister dwells who has
tied so many scandalous runaway
couples in marriage--a person, dare
to think, who would scruple little at any
deed, fat fee in his pocket. Watch,
then, thy tyrannous aunt, and, sweet
Ellen, believe that whatever danger be-
falls ! shall be speedily at thy side. !
thank God for thy bravery and thy wit.
| am convinced the time is come when
we must save our heels with our heads.
Pray that no mischance befall our faith
full Messenger, and send me note of all