The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-03

while I have been away teaching at
Digby. a cousin of my fathers. Rufus
Bennett, and his wife have lived with
my father. During the long summer
vacation they returned to their little
farm in Vermont, and kept house for
my father.
For five years I have been engaged to
be married to Henry Ellis, a young man
whom l met in Digby. My father was
very much opposed to the match, and
has told me repeatedly that if insist
ed upon marrying him in his lifetime he
would dislnherit me. On this account
Henry has never visited me at my own
home. While I could not bring myself
to break off finally my engagement. I
wished to avoid an open rupture with
my father. He was quite an old man,
and l was the only one he had left Of
q large family.
belteve that parents should honor
Their children, as we'll as children their
parents. but had arrived at this con-
clus1on: In nine-tanths of the cases
WHEREIN children marry against their
parents wishes, even when the parents
nave no Just grounds for opposition.
nne marriages are unhappy.
sometimes felt that was unjust to
Henry. and resolved that If ever I sus-
pected that his fancy turned toward
any other girl I would not hinder It,
especially as was getting older, and
chought, losing my good looks.
A little while ago, young and pretty
girl came to Digby to teach school in
the south district. She boarded in the
same house with Henry. I heard that
he was somewhat attentive to her, and
I made up my mind would not inter-
fere. At the same time 1t seemed to me
my heart was breaking. heard her
people had money, too, and she was an
only child. ! had always felt that
Henry ought to marry a wife with
money, because he had nothing himself,
and was not very strong.
School closed five weeks ago, and I
came home for the summer vacation.
The night before left, Henry came to
see me. and urged me to marry him.
refused again; but never before had
felt that my father was so hard and
cruel as did that night. Henry said
that he should certainly see me during
the vacation, and when replied that
he must not come he was angry, and
sad-but such foolish things are not
worth repeating. Henry has really a
very sweet temper, and would not hurt
a fly.
The very night of my return home
Rufus Bennett and my father had
words about some maple sugar which
Rfrffro 10 Fo mi
sold to my father, who made good
trade for 1t to some people in Boston.
That was fathers business. He had
once kept a store, but had given 1t up.
and sold few articles taat he could
make large profit on here and there at
wholesale. He used to send to New
Hampshire and Vermont for butter,
eggs and cheese. Cousin Rufus thought
father did not allow him enough of his
profit on the maple sugar, and in the
dispute father lost his temper and said
that Rufus had given him underweight.
At that Rufus swore an oath and seized
father by the throat. Rufus wife
screamed, "Oh. don't! don't! Oh, he'll
kill llimv'
went up to Rufus and took hold Of
his arm.
''Rufus Bennett" said I, "you let my
father gov' -
But Rufus eyes glared like q mad
mans, and he would not let go. Then
went to the desk-drawer where father
had kept Q pistol since some houses In
the village were broken into; I got out
the pistol laid hold Of Rufus again,
and held the muzsle against his fore
hGa6
rSou let 60 my father" said I, "or
IN fireg'
Tnaen Rafus iss "a. md 'fsthsr