The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-06-18

TO stealin'; hain't been behind the hay
stack tryin' to hammer the bung in that
barrelf An It wouldn't stay, but it made
an awful racket. There's one consolation:
IL them there hosses have to go fur, they've
been well fed an every shoe IL as sound as
a triRper-ha, hai'' And Ben Stone shut
up his knife and went in to inform his
master that as likely ms not some one had
stolen something or other about the place,
hnt 1t couldn't be proved by him.
"Shut up and go to bed with you, and
don't answer questions until your askedp
was the curt reply, with this addition in
an undertone. al wouldn't begrudge
the best span I've got TO get even with old
Gringer oncemore."
Patter, patterl click, click neck to neck
and nostril to noStril, along ridge and
through wooded hollow skinned the two
fleet coursers like some well mated birds
of flight. But few words were exchanged,
but two pairs of human ears, at least,
strained, minute by minute, to catch the
first sound of expected pursuit
Out of another valley and up to the top
Of another ridge they go steadily, painting
and steaming. They pause second to
breathe, and look and listen.
Away back on the last ridge, mile or
more away, the moonlight glistens on
something bright-u silver plated buckle
or saddle edecoration-and then there comes
clear, ringing sound, as when steel strikes
flint
He's oomingl oh, hurry, Dickl We can
not reach MIR. Stilwell's in time; its"--
"Three miles yet and"--
"You know Fleetwood's gait; Mr., Ma
son never had horse that could outrun
him. What shall we do2 Oh, II only we
were''--
Married, and could call you my own;
then / would not need to run to step,
but could defend my right TO you in the
eyes of the law Listenl What's that
aheadT'
"The Corners are just down there, you
know, and some one may be coming on the
cross road"
"An idea! That is the direction from
which the preacher comes. What if it
should be-- But, no; he's going straight
ahead Of us. Yes, there he turns! Whip
up, and let's oyertake him, whoever the
rider beF'
And the two blown and jaded horses
were urged afresh
A quarter of n mile; half mile; three
quarters. The sound OF hoofs in both di-
rections are growing distinct. Oh, SO near
behindl
Call him, Richard! lie may stop. Oh,
IL il only isl''
"But your father will hear, too, and
hastenl Hello, there! Waltz"
"Who is itY"
81 can't he mistaken in that voice, Dick.
He has stopped. Now"-
In moment the overtaken party was
seen, sure enough, to he the very preacher
they were riding hard and fast TO find. But
while the situation was being explained
the footsteps Of the pursuing horse were
heard close by, and in "a minute another
"Hellow rang on their cars, hoarse and in
furiated: stop! stop, command you
Mamie, your father tells you to stopl
Young man, I'll horsewhip you on the spot
If you don't give me my daughterr
The two looked at eUch other in despair.
There would scarcely be time to begin the
ceremony. Must they he torn asunder
when so near the Goalg The thought made
the girl turn pale, aud she almost sank
helpless in her lovers arms.
But the preacher, backwoodsnan that he
was, was mal Of wit and resources, and
Of heart as well. Keep on" said he
quietly, land ride as fast ils you can. / will
follow Join your hands and sit firm in
the saddle when tell you. / have it ell an
the tip of my tongue. The Lord please,
you'll be man and wife before that horse
brushes his nose against yours"
Chatter, clatter-clink, clink! rang the
sharp hoof beats! Nearer and nearer they
came together; but the words rolled off the
preachers lips, rs he rose and sank in his
stirrups, faster than the speed of the racers.
1t was a race of tongue against hoofl
The wild, mad pelting of the iron shOd
feet were pitted against heart throbs and
brain pulses and trembling lips!
The strain upon John Mason's horseflesh,
and its fleeteT competitor, whose master
spared him neither pain nor life, was tell
ing; but the tension on two hearts that
were tortured by suspense was still more
terrific.
Nearer and nearer sped Fleetwood, until
his hoarse painting almost drowned the
preachers wordsi But few rodsseparated
them!
join your right hands" came the sharp
command.
"Halt, l command you, in the name
of''--
"Put spursl Forasmucb as Richarl'W.
Anderson and Annie Gringer have con-
sented too-
"Hoid up therel Pm an officer of the
lawi' demanded another voice, drowning
the rest of the preachers "forasmuch."
But the wild wedding party dashed for
ward, now almost covered by the dust the
others raised, and the preachers lips
worked fast.
"In the name OF the Father'--
"Halt, or you'll suffer the penal'---
"And of the Som
Give me my daughter, you villain!'
"And of the Holy Ghost, pronounce
that they arc husband and wife. Amen
And love had won the race!
There was halt then, and explanations
that disarmed the man. of the law and sent
old Joel Gringer back to his belated supper
with vain cursings of his luck.
The supper at Stilwelrs was favored with
pleasanter reflections, aud Ben Stone had
many an opportunity to wonder aloud, in
his sly way, "How in tarnation them hogs
ever did get into old man Mason's corn
field jest when Dick Anderson wanted to