The Press., 1895-03-21

religion, were kept profoundly secret. The very friend to whom you commu. nicated your misgivings as to the prophet and his mission might be one of those who would come forth at night with fire and sword to exact a terrible reparation Hence every man feared his neighbor, and none spoke of the things which were nearest his heart
 One fine morning John Terrier was about to set out to his wheatfields when he heard the click of the latch, and, looking through the window, saw stout, sandy haired, middle aged man coming up the pathway. His heart leaped to his mouth, for this was none other than the great Brigham Young himself. Full of trepidation-for he knew that such a visit boded him little good-Ferrier ran to the door to greet the Mormon chief. The latter, however, received his salutation coldly and fol lowed him with stern face into the sitting room. Brother Terrier, ''~he said, taking a seat and eying the farmer; keelfly from under his light colored teyelaslles; *tthC true believers have been good friends: to you. We picked you up when you were starving in the. desert; we sht red our food with you, led you safe to the Chosen valley, gave you goodly share of land and allowed you to wax rich under our protection. Is not this SOP"
 ''It is so, ,' answered John Terrier. "In return for all this we asked but one condition, and that was that you should embrace the true faith and con form ill every way to it's usages. This you promised to do, and this, if com mon report says truly, you have neg l lected. "
 "And how have I neglected it?" asked Terrier, throwing out his hands in approximation. Have I not given to the common fund? Have l not attended at the temple: Have nOt''-
 "Where are your wives?" asked Young, looking round him. "Call them ill that l may greet them. y
 ''It is true that I have not married, :" Terrier answered. But women were few, and there were many who had bet ter claims than l. I was not lonely man. had my daughter to attend to my wants.
 ''It is of that daughter that would speak to you," said tho leader of the 1 Mormons. "She has grown to be the 1 flower of Utah and has found favor in the eyes of many who are high in the 1 land. :"
 John Terrier grOanCd internally.
 ''There arc stories of her which would fain disheicve-sfories that she is sealed to some gentle. This must be l the gossip of idle tongues. What is the 1 thirteenth rule in the code of the saint ed Joseph Smith? Let every maiden of the true faith marry one of the elect for if she wed a gentile she commits a 1 grieyous sin. This being so. 1t is ilnpos- sible that you, who profess the holy creed, should suffer your daughter to violate it.
 John Terrier made no answer, but he played nervously with his riding whip
 "Upon this one point your whole faith shall be tested. So it has been decided in the sacred council of four. The girl 1 is young, and we would not have her wed gray hairs; neither would we de- prive her of all choice. We elders have many heifers Heber c. Kimball, in one of his sermons, alludes to his hun | dred wives under this endearing cpl thetl but our children must also be pro- vided. Stangerson has 8 son and Dreb- Der has son, and either of them would | gladly welcome your daughter to his l house: Let her choose between them They are young and rich and of the true faith. What say you to that?'' Terrier remained silent for some lit tie time with his brows knitted.
 "YOu will give us time,' he said at last. My daughter is very young-she is scarce of an age to marry.'
 ''She shall have a month to choose, '' said Young, rising from his seat. "At the end of that time she shall give her answer.
 He was passing through the door when he turned, with flushed face and flashing eyes. Ut were better for you, John Ferri,r, " he thundered, "that you and she were now lying blanched skele. tons upon the Sierra Blanco than that you should put your weak wills against the orders of the holy four!''
 With threatening gesture of his hand he tplred from the door, and Fer fer heard his heavy steps crunchine along the shingly path.
 He was still standing with his elbows upon his knees, considering how he should brOach the matter to his daugh ter, when d soft hand was laid upon his, and looking up he saw her standing be- side him. One glance at the pale, fright ened face showed him that she had heard what had passed.
 II could lIot help it," she said ill all swer to his look. "His voice rang through the house Oh, father, father what shall we do:'
 'Dcn't ye scare yerself," he an swercd, drawing her to him and passing his brla ad, rough hand carcssingly ovel her chestnut hair. "We'l fix it uI somehow or another. Ye don't fint yer fancy kind O lessening for thi! chap, do ye?"
 A sob and a squeeze of his hand Wa: her only answer.
 "No, O course not. l shouldn't care to hear yo say ye did, He's a likely lad, and he's Christian, which is more than these folk here, in spite O all tEei1 praying and preaching. There's l:irty starting for Nevada tomorrow, and IT manage to send him message, letting him know the hole we are in. If know anything O that young man, he'll bt back here with speed that would whit tro-telegraphs. ''
 Lucy laughed through her tears at he1 fathers description.
 "When he comes, he will advise u for the best. But it is for you that an frightened, deAr One hears-one hear; such dreadful stories about those wht oppose the prophet. Something terrible always happens to them." :: "But we haven't opposed him yet, , her father answered. ''It will be time to look out for squalls when we do. w. 1 haun cloar. month 1nofnnn th,