Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-09-09

rems of the elderS-women who mad
pinned and wept, and bore upon their
faces the traces of an uneXtinSuishable
horror Belated wanderers upon the
mountains spoke of gangs OF armed
men-masked, Stealthy and nolseleSs-
who fitted by them in the darkness.
These tales and rumOrS took substance
and shape, and were corroborated and
re-corroborated, until they resolved
themselves into a definite name. To
this day, in the lonely ranches of the
West, the name Of the DANTE Band,
or the Avenging Angels, is a sinister
and ill-omened one.
Fuller knowledge of the organization
which produced such terrible results
served to increase rather than lessen
the horror which it inspired in the
minds Of men. None knew who be-
longed to this ruthless society. The
names of the participators in the deeds
of blood and violence, done under the
name Of religion, were kept profoundly
secret. The very friend to whom you
communicated 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
terrible reparation. Hence every
man feared his neighbor, and none
spoke of the things which were nearest
his heart.
One fine morning John Ferrier was
about to set out to his wheat fields,
when he heard the click of the latch,
and, looking through the window, saw
a 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 visit BODIED him little
good-Ferrier ran to the door to greet
the Mormon chief. The latter, how
ever, received his salutation coldly,
and followed him with a stern face in
to the sitting room.
Brother Ferrier," he said. taking
seat, and eying the farmer keenly from
under his light-colored eyelashes, 1.-THE
true believers have been good friends
to you. We picked you up when you
were starving in the desert, we shared
our food with you, led you safe to the
Chosen valley, gave you a goodly share
of land, and allowed you TO wax rich
under our protection. Is not this so"
"It is so,'' answered John Ferrier.
In return for all this we asked but
one condition-that was, that you
should embrace the true faith, and
conform in every way to it's usages
This you promised to do, and this, if
common report says truly, you have
neglected"
'And how have I neglected it,"
in expostulation. ''Have I not given
70 0f
tendad at the Temple? Have [ not"
Where are your wives" asked
Young, locking round him. Call them
in, that / may greet them"
ut is true that / have not married"
Terrier answered. But women were
few, and there were many who had
better claims than /. / was not a
lonely mani had my daughter to at
tend to my wants"
1T is of that daughter that / woul'
speak to you" said the leader of th>
Mormons. ''She has grown to be the
flower of Utah, and has found favor
in the eyes of many who are high in
the land"
John Terrier groaned internally.
''There are stories of her which ]
would fain disbelieve-stories that she
is sealed to some tongues. What is the
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 Gentle, she
commits a gricvous sim This being
so, it is impossible that you, who pro-
fess 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 de-
cided in the Sacred Council of -Four.
The girl is young, and we would not
have her wed gray hairs, neither would
we deprive her of all choice. We cid
ers have many heifers, but our chill
dren must also be provided. Stanger-
son has a son, and Drebber has a son,
and either Of them would gladly wei
come your daughter to their 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 timer" he said at
last "My daughter is very yor'g;
she is scarce Of an age to marry"
(To be Continued)