The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-09-08
THE SPECTER WEDDING
A Curious But Sufficient Cere-
mOny.

| Mr.. Martin Dupont was a Justice O,
the peace in the little town of Marl
burg. He had been elected to Office
at the close of the war of 1919, and had
acted In his present capacity for nearly
nine years. Men Of Mr.. Dupont's type
were ~ery common in those days, and
even now one does not have to search
far to find one Of these self-complacent,
pompous gentlemen, who delight in
winning admiration from their asso-
ciates, who always have at their
tongues end great many stories in
which they play the leading part, but
who are. nevertheless, very supersti-
tious, so much so, indeed, that glimpse
OF the moon over the left shoulder, or a
bowling dog, has power to make them
melancholy for week.
Having failed to secure for himself
as large share of this worlds goods
as he had wished, Mr.. Dupont was fully
resolved that his two children, Henry
and Margaret, should not be lacking in
wealth. AS for his son, he very wisely
concluded that good education, added
to his natural abilities, would secure
for him place in the world; and al
ready Henry was showing the wisdom
OF the plan, and by his rapid advance
ment In business was more than full
filling his fathers expectations. It had
always been Mr.. Dupont's desire that
his daughter should marry some rich
man, but Margaret had fallen In love.
very foolishly, according to her fathers
idea, with the principal of the Marl-
burg high school
Charles Foster had several times
pleaded his suit In vain before Mr..
Dupont There was no fault In the
young man, Mr.. D. rather g,udgingly
admitted. except that all he had to de-
pend upon was his salary, but still no
man should presume to become his SON.
in-law who had not money enough 70
support his daughter in better style
than that in which she was then living.
He liked the school-teacher very we'll
as friend. but as o son-in-lavv-thak
was quite another matter.
Nevertheless Charles and Margaret
did not despair of their cause, although
Mr. Dupont was seemingly immovable.
The thought OF an elopement was ban
shed by them both as being dishonor-
sole, and as no other plan seemed
practicable they very wisely resolved
% wait until some kind fate should
some TO their aid This, then, was tho
condition OF affairs when our story be-
yins.
Mr.. Dupont's duties as Justice OF tho
'eace did not eonflne his law practice
o MaElburR, but very frequently he
vas called away to attend various law.
uits In neighboring towns and ham.
cts; and 1t so happened that at this
'artacular time he was engaged in a
ase OF some considerable Importance
q an adjoining town. On account OF
he nearness OF the place II was Mr..
'uponts custom to drive his own horse
'ack and forth and to spend his niQhts
t homa
One night, ON account of an unusual
ress OF business, he was obliged to re-
,ain beyond his ordinary time Of leav-
,g, and after the work was completed
9 yielded to the urgent invitation OF
Is client to chat for O few moments Aa
'ey pulled away at the choice Havanaa
ley began to tell each other of various
kciting adventures and wonderful ex-
eriences. Time slipped away so rapid
That 1t was after ten o'clock before
r. Dupont suddenly remembered that
seven-mile drive lay between him and
Is home. Hastily bidding his friend
ood-by, he started for the hotel stable
get his horse.
The weather had changed while the
vo gentlemen had been chatting. and
ow the ominous stiffness and the
oudy sky admonished Mr.. Dupont
at. If he wished to get home before
o rain began to fall. he must hasten.
astily throwing q quarter to the
eepy hostler. he sprang into his bug.
and set out on his homeward way.
The road home was q lonely oue<
'uses were few and far betw eer. and a
" miles out Of Marlburg some lonely
pods lined the road on either side. and
5otning the woods was a graveyard
mr.. Dupont drove on into the dark I
ss he began to become nervous, the
eird stories that he had just been
aTing kept flashing through his mind. !
great many wrong deeds Of his life !
me before him, magniAed by the !
rkness and solitude, and among other :
lnRs he began 10 wonder II be Va. 1
lng Just right In refusing his consent Z
his dsuGhtsr's marriage. In this 1
me Of mind hss approached - !
~ nyoluntarily he tried % cuts. :
~ hoe1eb pAoo.. buk : tta Annn. 4