The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-05-03
A Historic Marriage
BY Mary Johnston.
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THERE is no more romantic incident

"HERE is no more romantlc lncluenl
in the early history of Virginia
than that connected with the boat load
of maidens which came from England
to be mated to Virginia settlers. 1t is
upon one of these strange marriages
that Mary Johnston's latest book, ITO
Have and to Hold" published by
Houghon Miffin & Co., is founded. The
following chapter from this book de-
scribes the marriage of her hero and
heroine, and in a way describes all of
that bit of romantic history in James
town history. Before the ar
rival of yesterdays ship there had been
in this natural Eden Qeaving the saw
ages out of the reckoning) several
thousand Adams, and but some three
score Ewes. Andfor the most part, the
Ewes were either portly and busting
or withered and shrewish housewives,
of age and experience to defy the SER
pent. These were different. Ninety
slender figures decked in all the brav-
cry they could assume; 90 comely
faces, pink and white, or clear brown
with the rich blood showing through;
90 pair Of eyes, laughing and alluring,
or downcast with long fringes sweep
ing rounded cheeks; 80 pair of ripe red
lips-the crowd shouted itself hoarse
and would not be restrained, brushing
aside like straws the slaves of the mar
shall and his men, and surging in upon
the line of adventurous damsels.
"Way for the governor!" cried the
marshal. SHANE on you, my mas
ters! Way for his honor and the wor-
shipful council!"
The three wooden steps leading
down from the door of the governors
home suddenly blossomed into Grim
son and gold as his honor, with the
attendant councillors, emerged from
the hall and stood staring at the mob
below.
The governors honest moon face
was quite pale with passion. what a
devil Is this?" he cried, wrathfully.
"Did you never see a woman beforef
Where's the marshal? I'll imprison
the last one of you for rioters!"
Upon the platform of the pillory,
which stood in the center of the mar
ket place, suddenly appeared man Of
gigantic frame, with strong face
deeply lined and a great shock of griz-
zled hair-a strange thing, for he was
not old. knew him to be one Master
Jeremy Sparrow, minister brought
by the Southampton a month before,
and as yet without charge, but at
that time I had not spoken with him.
Without a word of warning he thun.
dered into psalm of Thanksgiving,
singing it at the top of powerful and
vet sweet and tender voice, and with
fervor and exaltation that caught the
heart of the riotous crowd. The two
ministers in the throng took up the
strain; Master Pory added husky
tenor, eloquent of much sack; present.
ly we were all singing. The audacious
suitors, charmed into nationality, fell
back, and the broken line reformed
The governor and the council descend
ed, and with pomp and solemnity took
their places between the maids and
the two ministers who were to head
the column. The psalm ended, the
drum beat laundering roll, and the
procession moved forward in the di-
rection of the church.
Master Pory having left me, to take
his place among the brethren OF the
council, and the mob of those who ha.
come to purchase and of the curious
idle having streamed away at the heels
of the marshal and his officers, | found
myself alone in the square save for the
singer, who now descended from the
pillory and came up to me.
Capt. Ralph Percy, if / mistake
not?" he said in a voice as deep and
rich as the bass of an organ.
THE same" | answered. And you
are Master Jeremy Sparrow"
Yea, silly preacher-the poorest,
meekest and lowliest of the Lords
servitors."
His deep voice, magnificent frame
and bold and free address so gave the
lie to the humility of his words that |
had much ado to keep from laughing.
He saw, and his face, which was of a
cast most martial, flashed into smile,
like sunshine on SCARED cliff,
You laugh in your Sleeve" he said,
good -humoredly, land yet | am but
WHAT 4 pIOltSS W Dt. III l'll IL l. an a
very Job, though nature hath seen fit
to dress me as Samson. Il assure you,
! am worse msfitted than is Master
Yardstick yonder in those Falstaf1ian
hose. But, good sir, will you not go TO
church,"
The long service of praise
and thanksgiving was well-nigh over
when first saw her.
She sat some ten feet from me, In the
corner, and so in the shadow of tall
pew. Beyond her was a row OF milk
maid beauties, red of cheek, free of eye,
deep-bosomed and beribboned like
Maypoles. l looked again, and saw
and sea rose amongst blowzed pop
pies and peonies, a pearl amidst glass
beads, Perdita in ring Of rustcs, a
nonparella OF all grace and beauty
AS / gazed with all my eyes, ] found
more than grace and beauty in that
wonderful face-found price wit. fire,
determination, finally shame and an