The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-05-10


eyes, father"
"Ihou are fit to manage a house
Of thy own" "
II think so. father"
marry" 0'
Eyes, father. l have been thinking
so myself"
Il am sorry to hear thee saw that.
my child cried Hannah. "A young
girl should not think of such a mat
Ter until suggested by her parent or
some wise friend"
Bessy looked down abashed.
only last week a friend spoke to
me of the matter"
'What friend? Good Sarah Rose.
doubtless: she is ever for having wo.
NJ marry betimes."
mo, mother; not Friend Rose"
"Perhaps thy Aunt Eliza"
mo. mother"
who was 1T, child:"
"Friend John Hubbard"
''Friend-John Hubbard"
es, mother. He spoke of think
ING we'll of me. and suggesting that
our lives would be passed happily to-
gether."
'Hessy thee knows a female Friend
may not marry a young man of the
worlds eoplc. Christie Brown was
e out Of meeting for so doing"
YES, mother"
"'Well, child, since the time has
come for thee to marry. thee will be
glad to know that Friend Peter is
anxious for a wife and prefers thee"
Bcssy turned pale.
''Friend Peter is worth a lot of
money"
''Ics, father"
'AlsO, he is a Friend"
"Yes, father"
consequently thee had better
marry him. 1t is now time for thee
to retire. Goodnight, Bcssy."
'Good-nieht," said Bessy, with a
trembling lip.
So it was settled. 1t never entered
into ones heart that Bessy was not
used tcnderly. And the days hurried
on, one after the other, toward the
First day, on which the twain we're
to "Eass meeting" for the first time
preparatory to the SOlemnization Of
their nuptiaIs.
1t was Friday. All the week Bessy
had been a little sad. not quite her
self. The extremely fine fabric of
her muslin dress did not seem 20 in
terest her As it should have done. At
, she came to her mother.
IL have some little business to at
tend to in Paramount" she said.
"And l have been thinking it would
be a pleasant thing if Friend Peter
could drive me there in his leathern
convenience"
So Friend Peter was summoned.
The light was brought out, and away
they drove.
Peter discoursed volubly. Bessy
answered quietly. AT last the wire
bridge was crossed and Paramount
lay before them.
When this was in sight Ecssy
spoke:
''Friend Peter, thee sees that white
building with white shutters:"
FAYE, verify do L."
'Thce will ODlige me by taking
this package and delivering it to
Friend Ann, with my good wishes.
Meanwhile 1 will hold the reins. l
do not wish to aiight."
friend Peter obediently took the
package ana departed.
lie staid ten minutes. When he re.
turned horse, wagon, and lady-lOve
were gone. He rushed out distract
eddy. No one had seen anything.
Peter waddled home. They were
not there. The Quaker mother said:
'Be not alarmed; they will return
SOON"
But the day passed with no sign.
SO did saturday.
At 10 o'clock on Saturday evening
a noise of wheels was heard. Rushing
out they found the wagon, a mulatto
boy and a note, but no Bessy.
In terrible anxiety they tore open
the miSsiye. 1t was as follows;
DEAR PARENTS AND RESPECTED FRIEND
pETER:-I hope you have not been alarmed.
| an well. Mother knows. | presume, that
it would not be easy TO marry If one felt no
call to do so. l had no call to be united to
Friend Peter. [ had Il call to marry John.
There is no need of the ceremony OF passing
meeting among worlds people. so | am al
ready Friend Hubbard.
suggest to Friend Peter the worthy Ann
Billings as Il wife. She is a better house
wife tnan l.. And let me know socn that l
NAV be forgiven. for | am in grief on ac-
count of your alarm and annoyance.
Your loving daughter.
BESsY HUBBARD.
Friend Ephraim twisted his thumbs,
Friend Hannah folded her hands.
Friend Peter opened his eyes n
mouth and shook his head slowly.
At length Hannah said:
Gall thy mother, Ephraim."
And Ephriam brought the old lady