The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-04-10
CHAPTER /.

OF the many historic valleys whicl
lie in the great state Of New York tina
Of the Waikiki river is perhaps tn
most romantic.
| Winding through the counties O
Orange and Ulster, 1t is inclosed on tn
west by the rugged Shawangunk rang
of mountains, a vast amphitheater O.
rocks, piled into the most fantasti,
shapes and Astounding in picturesqu,
lakes and beautiful ravines. On the sum
nit of Sky Top, the highest peak Of the
range, lies the far famed Lake Mohonk
surrounded on all sides by marvellous
precipices. On the tops Of mountains
farther south are situated Lake Mime.
waska and Long pond. both remarkable
for the depth and clearness Of their wa.
ter and the sublimity of their rocky
shores.
Apart from the natural beauties Of
the region history and tradition have
invested it with peculiar interest.
Every lonely road has its tale of TRACE
dy every narrow mountain pass it's
story of encounter with Indian or Tory
bandit, and every rock bound lake its
legend. 1t was from an unlettered
chronicler of the valley, spinning his
rude but picturesque yarns to group
of Preside listeners, that am indebted
for the facts embodied in the following
narrative:
At the base of the Shawangunk
mountain, in Orange county there
lived at the outbreak Of the Revolution
a well to do farmer whose name was
Price. His little family consisted Of
himself, a comely daughter named Ia
die and talented and handsome young
man, Edward Robin, whom he treated
like a son, although he was but farm.
hand in his eiaploy.
Now, inasmuch as the young people
were thrown constantly into each 9TH
er's company. with few other associates
of their own age, it was but natural
that u tender and enduring affection
should develop and ripen between them.
Either Mr.. Price was lacking in obser-
walton, or else the lovers deported them
selves with great discretion during their
courtship. But the fact remains that
the first intimation the old man had Of
their mutual regard was when Edward
Robin boldly asked him for the hand of
his daughter in marriage
The request fell upon him like thun-
derholt.
"Iou impudent young scoundrel!"
he exclaimed in a towering passion.
"Give you my daughter? I'llsee you to
the devil first. ="
In vain the young man pleaded his
cause. In vain did Zadie join her en-
treaties to his The old man remained
immovable.
"You can't have my daughter, sir,
and that's the end of it, he cried an
grily.
And, to prove the finality of his de-
cision, he drove the young man from
his presence, ordered his daughter to
her room and forbade their speaking to
one another again. Having thus assert
ed his authority over his little house
hold, he lighted his pipe and locked
himself up in the kitchen to puff his
fury away in tobacco smoke.
"What, throw the gal away on such
pauper, he pondered, "when she can
have old Caleb Shurker for husband?
Shurker is the richest farmer this side
Of Goshen, and I've done well to put
stop to this nonsense.
The thought that he had acted wise
ly in separating the lovers operated to
cool his rage, and ere he had finished |
his second pipe he had entirely recover
ed his equanimity. In one important |
matter, however, he failed to exhibit
the wise foresight for which he was
noted-he did not discharge Edward
Robin from his employ. In fact, he
could not well manage his farm with
out him.
And SO it happened that, although
the lovers studiously avoided holding
any communication in his presence they
found means Of carrying On clandes-
tine courtship behind his back. This
prudent conduct on their part complete
~ lulled the old mans suspicious, and
he relapsed into his former unobserving
ways. In fact, Zadie carried her decep-
ton to such length that she apparent
y consented to receive the addresses of
Naleb Shurker, concession which was
highly gratifying to her avaricious ia
her. Unskilled as he was in the cum
hing duplicities of love, he was con-
'inced that the young people had sub
nitted meekly to his will But it was
lot long before he was rudely awakened
rom this error.
One morning, about month after
lis refusal Of Robins suit, the young
nan was not found at his chores. Mr..
Price was surprised at this, as he was
Invariably an early riser So he went to
lis room and knocked
There was no response.
He opened the door. The room was
mpty, nor did the bed bear evidence of
aving been occupied during the night.
he old mans eyes dilated, and his
over jaw dropped in blank amazement.
IA pretty how'd We dol" he mutter-
1 suspiciously, then hurried off to the
Dom occupied by his daughter.
On reaching it he did not pause to
mock upon the door, but flung it open
nth loud bang
Then the truth broke in upon his
lind so suddenly that he staggered and
asped for breath, for Zadie's room
rs without an occupant. The bed was
and the pillowshams still in
lace. A chest of drawers, with its COM
open, showed plainly that it
ad recently been riHed Of its contents,
nd various articles of feminine attire
y here and there upon the floor where
ley had been thrown when discarded {
? their owner. !
1t was evident that the lovers had
oped.
At first Mr.. Price was SO dumfound-
by the discovery that he stood speech
IS and trembling in the doorway ,
hen. as he gradually awoke to full ,
alization Of the deception which had !
'en played upon him. he began to d
We like one possessed ;.
Hoodwinked! Deceived! Played for ="
lla,nod aid fool ~ ba r,,roJ ,h,l,;n,