The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-02-04
Marriage: A Lottery
BY Frank Brandram
= EoRGE WooDRUFF was easy.

other one word that will quite so ade-
quately characterize him.
He was what is known as easy go
ing;" easy, likewise, in his manners
and address; easy Of handling by those
requiring favor of any kind.
He was not fool by any means. His
naturally acute mentality had been
disciplined and strengthened by a lib
eral education; and, however easy he
might be in a general way, he had been
known, on some rare occasions, 10 in
dulge a noble rage at something par
ticnlarly mean or vile.
1t was this philosophical tempera-
nent, added to his good looks, and plus,
perhaps, his independence of toll, that
caused him to be the most popular
young man in Danville.
Danville was not very populous; and
there were none too many eligible
young men for the unusually large per-
oentage Of amiable, pretty and talent
ed maidens, who made the social life OF
that fair city particularly seductive 10
the stranger within her gates.
Perhaps, therefore, ii is hardly TO be
wondered at IL the usual relations be-
tween the sexes were in measure re-
versed, and Woodruff, instead OF court.
ing, found himself courted- BY the
young ladies OF Danyille.
Devoid OF egotism or vanity, il must
be admitted that Woodruff, neyerthe-
less, was somewhat of fiirt. Yet his
flirting was Of that harmless character
which springs from sheer good humor
from the desire to please and to be
pleased-from the unalloyed delight
which the masculine nature, when re-
fined, finds in the society OF the finer
sex.
But for all his innocence ofintention,
there was more than one maiden in
Danyilie who, in her own secret heart,
thought that George Woodruff had
treated her shamefully"- simply be
cause he had not married her!
One fine morning the femininity OF
Danyille was set all in "A flutter.
"What do you think" said Miss Dolly
DENLY, who was making morning call
on Miss Jennie Judson--and 20 min
utes after Miss Jennie Judson apostro-
phised her dearest friend Allie Allison
In the same formula; and so IL went
round: whatever in the world do you
think? George Woodruff is going to
rattle himself oft"
"To-whatl"
"Yesl Actually! Rattle himself"
But what for? For a season."
aNo-for tba church y
but is il to be some girls beau for
the season."
"No; you don't understand Whis-
per"
The strange. momentous secret was
whispered; and Miss Judsons only
commentary was contained in the ques-
ton:
who is selling the tickets?"
Miss DENLY was unable 10 youchsafe
information upon this important de-
tail, and hurried off in order TO convey
the news TO as many more of her friend 5
as possible.
Before sunset that day every unmar-
ried maiden in Danville under the age
of 80 was in state Of nervous excite
ment, produced by protracted and com
pick calculations OF her mathematical
possibilities Of success in the fateful
game OF draw impending.
Miss Matilda Murchison, who had
seen 40 summers IL she had seen sun
set, became so interested in the pros
pective race that she paid a visit to her
fathers lawyer, and asked him. ION be-
half OF a young friend Of hers. " IL win
ner in n case like this could insist upon
the delivery of the prize or, failing
that, recover damages for breach OF the
contract implied. On behalf Of her
young friend she appeared TO take Il
very much TO heart when the old man
OF the law replied, curtly:
Madame, all lotteries are illegal"
Well, about the lottery itself. II all
came about in this way:
The Church OF st. Stephen had been
for very long time badly in need OF
renovation and repairs. Ii was an old
church-one of the oldest In the state:
its seating accommodation was OF an
antiquated type, alike unslghtly and
uncomfortable; the old gallery, run
ming around three sides of the interior.
was likewise an eyesore; IL was never
occupied, and II cried aloud for re-
moval; the communion table was rick
ETY.; the pulpit steps creaked, the read
ing desk reeled and tottered nj a touch
of the hand; the heating apparatus was
worn out; the chimes no longer chimed,
for the bells were cracked; the organ
wheezed and hiccoughed In manner
scandalous 20 such a place; and bats
and owls held revels In these sacred
precincts.
The truth Ia that, with pastor and
congregation alike, such was their love
and reverence for the ancient struc-
ture (more than 200 years ago "dedl-
Gated to the worship and glory of God
forever'D, that they were 10th 10 Law
implonshandsupon masonry and wood
work that age and usage had consc.
Grated. But at last from Heaven itself
there came peremptory mandate that