Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-11-05


sembled, and with the seal of George
ii. stating that by reason traitorou
communication, signed and sent by
one Ralph Herndon, and others, the
said Herndon. being, doubtless, the
promulgator of the rebel sentiments
therein described, he shall be consider
ed by all subjects an exile from his
country and traitor to his King
Make known Our Royal pleasure by
Public Proclamation.
(signed.) GEORGE X.
King of England.
Ralph Herndon did not see the
landing of Major John and his bride
nor as he drove her in his waiting
carriage to the mansion on the cliff,
but many others did, and all noticed
the exquisite loveliness of her classic
features, the purity of her complexion,
the glory of her yellow hair, and the
eloquent WEAKNESS of her wide, deep
eyes. Surely this could not be a
happy bride and moro than one
surmised there must be heavy sorrow
eating at her heart But the Major
was elate with all the bliss and ardor
of an old man made young by drink
ing of the draught of love. He was
resplendent in a bright, new uniform
and hat, gaudy cockade falling
across one of its triple corners and
gracefully busting the powder from
his wig upon one epauletted shoulder.
That evening little boy in ragged
knickerbockers ran through the vii
lage streets welding a hrazeu bell
and crying with his strong colonial
lungs.
"Hear yel Hear yel Hear ye!
A message from his Majesty, our
King! Long may he livel At 8
o'clock his pleasure shall be heard
Assemble at the auction-block Hear
ye Assemble at the auction-block at
eight !"
The sun had set but the mantle of
the night had not yet fallen as the
Magistrate forced his way among the
colonist and mounted the block. A
silence fell among the assembly.
Ralph Herndon was there with
pale, determined face. for he knew
the paper had something to do with
the one he had drawn four months
ago-his message to the King. He
was there ready and eager to take the
auction-block in a just and righteous
cause, tho it were one voice against a
mighty nation.
AS the voice of the Magistrate
ceases no sound is heard. Ralph has
grown very pale; he throws his head
aloft and looks around, fierce glow
burning in each orb. then speaks:
This is the answer to a Peoples
prayer" His voice rises and is hot
with passion.
"How long shall these, thy serfs,
labor beneath thy yoke, George King
of England ?"-then turns to stride
away.
A carriage has halted OIL the out
skirts of the crowd and Major John
and his young wife have heard the
lawless outbreak of the young man.
Ralph meets her eyes in turning he
halts with a little shiver and gazes at
her intently perplexity fades out Of
his face and leaves the great and holy
light Of perfect bliss and love.
Prudence !"
Scarcely more than whisper, yet
oh how audible to one widely be at.
ing heart.
She half arises, mighty pallor
over-spreading her face. and then
sinks back in a dead faint upon her
husbands shoulder
AS Ralph Herndon was leaving his
lodgings that evening, preparatory to
quitting the colony, note was hand.
ed him by the Majors colored servant
aud it read as follows:
RALPH:
Three years agone thou didst leave
me and they told me. after a time
that thou vert dead. Perchance they
kept thy messages from me, and, at
my fathers prayers, l wedded-John
Vancouver. Forgive and so forge,
me! | hear thou art an exile thou
hast my prayers where'er thou goest,
and may Peace attend thee, is the
wish OF
PRUDENCE VANCOUVER.
He kissed the name Prudence and
as he did so noticed that the welded
title was blotted-was it with tears
then placed the letter in his bosom
and strobe from the town. And as
years elapsed his name ever was for
gotten-forgotten by all save by the
sad-eyed wife of Major John Vancouv.
err.
Twelve years have passed. The
colonies are broken from their yoke
at last and are in state of open war;
fare and rebellion. Ralph Herndou
has resumed his dominion over the
people and has been elected captain
OF a small regiment of artillery. Ma.