Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-10-14
PART II-Chapter IV-Continued.

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 to5his mouth, for
this was none other than the great
Brigham Young himself. Full of trep-
idation-for he knew that such Wis
it BODIED him little good-Ferrier ran
to the door to greet the Mormon
chief. This latter, however, received
his salutation coldly, and followed
him with a stern face into the sitting
room.
Brother Ferrier," he said, taking
seat, and eyeing the farmer keenly
from under his light-colored eyelash-
es, ''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
goodly share of land, and allowed you
to wax rich under our protection. Ls
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, II
common report says truly, you have
neglected"
"And how have 1 neglected it?"
asked Ferrier, throwing out his hands
In expostulation. Have l not given
to the common fund? Have l not at
tended at the temple? Have l not
Where are your wives?" asked
Young. looking round him. Call
them in. that l may greet them"
"It is true that l have not mar
ried," Ferrier answered. But women
were few, and there were many who
had better claims than l, 1 was not
lonely man; 1 had my daughter to
attend my wants"
1T is of that daughter that I would
speak to you," said the leader of the
! 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 Ferrier groaned internally.
There are stories of her which l
would fain disbelieve-stories that
she is sealed to some gentle. This
must be the gossip of idle tongues.
What is the thirteenth role In the
code of the sainted John Smith? Let
every maiden of the true faith marry
one of the elect, for If she wed gen.
tile she commits grievous SIM. This
being so. it is impossible that you.
who profess the holy creed, should
suffer your daughter to violate 1t.
John Ferrier made no answer, but
he played nervously with his riding
whip.
Upon this one point your whole
faith should be tested-so it has been
decided 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 elders have many wives, but our
children must also be provided.
Stangerson has a son and Drebber
has a son, and either of them would
gladly welcome your daughter to their
house. Let her choose between them.
Tney are young and rich and of the
true faith. What say you to that?"
Ferrier remained silent for some lit
tie time with his brows knitted.
You will give US time" he said at
last. MY daughter is very young
she is scarcely of an age to marry"
"She shall have month to choose.
said Young, rising from his seat. cat
the end of that time she shall give
her answer"
He was passing through the door
when he turned with flushed face and
flashing eyes.
ut were better for you, John Fer
rier," he thundered, that you and she
were now lying blanched skeletons up
on the Sierra Blanco than that you
should put your weak wills against
the orders of the Holy Four!"
With a threatening gesture of his
hand. he turned from the door, and
Ferrier heard his heavy step scrunch
Ing along the shingly path.
He was still sitting with his elbows
upon his knees, considering how he
should broach the matter to his
daughter, when a soft hand was laid
upon his, and, looking up, saw hel
standing beside him.
One glance at her pale, frightened
face showed him that sne had heard
what had passed.
"I could not help it," she said II
answer to his look. His voice rams
through the house. Oh. father
father! What shall we do?"
Don't you scare yourself" he an
swered, drawing her to him and pass
ing his broad, rough hand caressing
ly over her chestnut hair. "Wel
fx 1t up somehow or another. Yol
don't find your fancy kind O. lessenins
for this chap. do you?"
A sob and a squeeze of his hant
was her only answer.
mo. of course not. I shouldn'
care to hear you say you did. He
a likely lad, and he's a Christian
which Is more than these folk here
in spite O. all their praying ant
preaching. There's a party startin,
for Nevada tomorrow, and I'll manag
to send him a message letting hin
know the hole We are in. If l know
ANYTHING o. that young man he'll b.
back here with a speed that woul'
whip electro-telegraphs
Lucy laughed through her tears a
her fathers description.
when he comes he will advise u
for the best. But it is for you that
am frightened, dear. One hears
one hears such dreadful stories abou
those who oppose the prophet: some
thing terrible always happens t
them"
But we havn't opposed him yet,
her father answered. 1T will be tim
to look out for squalls when We dc
We have a clear month before us; a
the end of that. guess we had bes
shin out of Utah"
Leave Utah?"
That's about the size OF 1t.
"But the farm?"
I've will raise as much as we ca
In money, and let the rest go. To te