The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-11
ELOpEMENT.

~ you uaN0 Nuy lALeutlON Oh marrying Luut
Ben Thompson
Eyes, father. l promised to be his wife if
he could obtain four consent she replied.
well, he didn't get my consent. While
I was down in the village this morning he
said something about it, and / told him he
had better look elsewhere for a wife, as I
didn't want him for a s%on-in-law, ana /
meant it. Now, Ruth, l don't want you to
associate with that darnel lazy critter any
longer. When you marry / want you to get
II stout. henrty fellow that knows how to
work, and not not \ sickly looking lawyer
like Ben, who sits in his office all day,
smoking cigars, and hardly cams his salt"
and Farmer Seymour arose and went into
tho sittinsroom.
Conspicuous among the signs that wers
hung up along the main street Of the village
of Leighton was one that rend az follows:
Benjamin b. Thompson, attorney and
counsellor at law" Benjamin was y nne-
looking young man Of about rs years, tall
and slim, and possessing an eye which re-
vealed a mixture of intelligence and good
humor. His every effort as = lawyer had
been crowned with success, and, although
he had been stationed in the village but Il
lew 1NONlA6s lie LIN kdAA0A VAo kOO4 "AA
all tho inhabitants Of Leighton with the ex-
ception of Farmer Seymour, which latter
named person expressed an opinion that
Thompson's vocation was = "darned lazy
one.
The first meeting between Ruth Seymour
and the young lawyer happopod at a pic
mic, and to Judge from this ~love-lit chances
which were exchanged and the disintsr-
ested(?) manncr in which they sought zach
others company in after days. the little
god Cupid made himself busy whom that
meeting took place. In brlef, thsy loved
iamin had but to get tho farmers consent
to the marriage and Ruth would become
his wife.
As We have limited, the lawyer found that
it was impossible to obtain the old gentle-
mans sanction to the union, SO that night
his fair one with the intention of telling
her OF his defeat, and deciding upon fur
thor proceedings. He found her leaning
on the garden gate, whore he had 80 often
found her before, and, after unlock
ing it, he took her hand and drew har into
tho road; then, side by side they wended
their way in moody silence toward 4 little
grove which stood just below the house.
Both appeared to be sad and gloomy, and
when thOy seated themselves on the little
neither seemed the relish the idoa of COM
mencing the conversation. Finally Benja-
min began with: @1
II suppose you have heard"
Yes, Benz quickly interrupted Ruth,
'father told me all about it,"
But returned the young man hesitat-
inRly, II hope it has not lessened your love
for ms?"
Fla from it, Ben! I really believe the
circumstances have caused mo to love you
more than I did before, if that could be
possible"
BLESS you for those words!'' exclaimed
Ben, pressing n kiss upon her rosy cheek,
Then let us fly together, and got securely
married, I don't believe your father meant
what he said to-day, but he has an idea in
his head that | will not suit him al q SON
in-law. ana if we elope he will sec that it is
not our destiny to be separated, and will
shortly receive us with open arms"
although | dislike to leave my parents"
returned Ruth, II will be guided by you,
let the consequences bs what they may"
Thanks! thanks!" exclaimed the happy
lawyer. SAT 12 tomorrow night, then, l
q ladder and you must be prepared to start
Immediately"
VERY WE'LL" said the confding girl, as
the tears started to hsr eyes at the thought
Of leaving her parents in such an abrupt
manner
A few moments moro were spent in con-
versation which it ia not necessary for us to
record, then they arose and walked slowly
toward the house. After they were out Of
hearing 4 man appeared from behind a
clump Of bushes near where the lovers had
been sitting and took an opposite direction.
The next night was u fine one. Tho little
stars shone brightly, and the gentle night
air played among the leaves of the trees,
causing q soft. musical sound, which WAS
pleasing and captivating to the ear.
At the appointed hour the young LAWYER
appeared beneath his loved ones window
with the fnr-famed ladder which was 10
lead her to his arms. Ruth instantly made
her appearance nt the open lattice, and
threw q little bundle of clothing and keep
sakes that she had hastily collected to her
lovor, then descended to the ground.
Everything being in readiness they then
started for the road. where Ben's horses
and buggy stood, when the door opened end
out rushed Farmer Seymour, who seized the
young lawyer by his coat collar and vainly
endsavered to give him a shaking. Ben,
however, didn't wish to be shaken, SO. by a
dexterous movement, he diaengaged HIM
self from the old gentleman's grasp. and,
placing his right arm across his chest, he
threw him over his knee in such q manner
as to bring him com pletely at his mercy.
The young man allowed the farmer to arise.
when tho latter took his conqueror by the
hand and said:
ben, I only pounccd on you then for n
frollc, and | believe | got tho worst of it. |
didn't know you were such q stout fellow.
Last night, knowing you and Ruth would
go down in the grove to have q chat to-
gethsr, l Rtarted dow before you and
secreted myself, and thereby heard all
about this elopsment; but not wishing to
part with my daughter in such q manner l
made preparations for a wedding to-day. SO
come inside and Wen straighten matters
up G little"
The trio went into the parlor, whore a
dim light was burning. and whore was
gathered quite an assembly, consisting Of
the farmers family and several neigh
bors. Up in one corner of the room sat a
venerable old gentleman in Gle ical robes,
who arose upon the entrance of the loving
couple, and soon pronounced them man
and wife.-New York News.
california Excursion. -
The next excursion for California. which
have become SO popular via the Union Pa
citio system. will leave Helena Monday,
February 18th. t..Eg
Roupd fr;, {;oLatc' r,,,, ,,foc .;~a. l.-,