Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-10-14
CHAPTER w.

interview with the Mormon prophet,
John Ferrier went in to Salt Lake
City, and, having found his acquant.
ance who was bound for the Nevada
Mountains, he intrusted him with his
message to Jefferson Hope.
In it he told the young man of the
imminent danger which threatened
them, and how necessary it was that
he should return.
Having done this, he felt easier in
his mind, and returned home with a
lighter heart.
AS he approached his farm he was
surprised to see a horse hitched to
each of the posts of the gate. Still
more surprised was he on entering
to find two young men in possession
of his sitting room.
Both of them nodded to Ferrier as
he entered, and the one in the rocking
chair commenced the conversation.
Maybe you don't know u.s." he
said. "This here is the son of Elder
Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stangerson,
who travelled with you in the desert
when the Lord stretched out His
hand and gathered you into the true
fold"
''As He will all the nations, in His
own good time" said the other, in a
nasal voice: He grindeth slowly but
exceedingly small"
1--WE have come" continued STAN
gerson, "at the advice of our fathers,
to solicit the hand of your daughter
for which ever of us may seem good
to you and to her. AS l have but
four wives and Brother Drebber here
has seven, it appears to me that my
claim Is the stronger one"
NAY, nay, Brother Stangerson,"
cried the other; ''the question it not
how many wives we have, but how
many we can keep My father has
now given over his mills to me, and
I am the richer man."
"But my prospects are better" said
the other, warmly. when the Lord
removes my father l shall have his
tanning yard and his leather factory.
Then I am your elder, and am higher
in the church"
"It will be for the maiden to de-
cide," rejoined young Drebber, smirk-
ing at his own reflection in the
glass. I'VE will leave it all to her
decision"
During this dialogue John Ferrier
had stood fuming in the doorway
hardly able to keep his riding whip
from the backs of his two visitors.
Look here" he said, at last, strid'
ing up to them, when my daughter
summons you, you can come; but un
til then, l don't want to see your
faces again"
The two young Mormons stared al
him in amazement. In their eyes
this competition between them foI
the maiden's hand was the highest
of honors both to her and her father
There are two ways out of the
room," cried Ferrier; there Is the
door, and there is the window
Which do you care to use?"
His brown face looked so savage
and his gaunt hands so threatening
that his visitors sprang to their fee1
and beat a hurried retreat.
The old farmer followed them tt
the door.
LET me know when you have set
tied which it is to be-" he said, sar
donically.
You shall smart for this!" Stan
gerson cried, white with rage. "Yol
have detied the prophet and the
Council of Four. You shall rue it tt
the end of your days."
THE hand of the Lord shall b'
heavy upon you," cried young Dreb
ber. He will arise and smite you.
Then I'll start the smiting." ex
claimed Ferrier, furiously, and h
would have rushed upstairs for hi
gun had not Lucy seized him by th'
arm and restrained him.
THE young, canting rascals!" h
exclaimed, wiping the perspiratiol
from his forehead; Il would soone
see you in your grave, my girl. thai
the wife of either of them"
And so should /, father" she an
swered, with spirit, but Jefferson
will soon be here"
"Yes. 1t will not be long before h
comes. The sooner the better, TO
we do not know what their mex
move may be-"
1t was indeed high time that som
one capable of giving advice and he'll
should come to the aid of the sturd
old farmer and his adopted daughter
In the whole history of the settle
ment there had never been such
case of rank disobedience to the au
thority of the elders. If minor error
were punished so sternly, what woul
be the fate of this arch-rebel?
Ferrier knew that his wealth an
position would be of no avail to hin
Others as well known and as rich a
himself had BEEN spirited away be
fore now, and their goods given owe
to the church.
He was a brave man, but h
choI tal