Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-08-07
A DETERMINED BEAU.

You who think that mankind to-day in
respect to certain elementary emotions, has
changed greatly from the type of that day
or the day long before it, when marriage
was made by capture, may read and change
your views
With that as a preface, here is the proof
of the proposition:
In Oregon there lived a yourg girl with
three large strapping brothers and her
father and mother The brothers. it was
current opinion in the locality, could whip
their weight in grizzly bear. AS they were
called chips off the old block it was
to be assumed that the father was of the
same type.
In this family the daughter, Margaret
Black, was regarded as the idol-also the
slave Margaret was to be worshiped so
long as she obeyed. When she wanted to
disobey then she was to be ruled. 1t was
another case of Lorna Doone.
Margaret's obedience was not a matter
of dispute until one day when she happened
to walk farther than usual into the great
woods around the Black home and lost her
way. She walked and ram through the I'M
derbrush without finding a familiar path
until she was thoroughly frightened little
girl. Then she wofully sat down facing the
In this predicament she was found by a
young man who carried a rifle under his
arm. He was not lost. That was evident
He smiled when the girl confessed that
she was. OF course he would take her
I home. Then they both laughed, and the
work which forms the basis of this story
was done.
Il am Roland Lee" he said. "Why,
live within ten miles of your home"
To walk ten miles and more out of the
! way just to see that pretty girl found her
way home was nothing-not in Oregon.
After that the disobedience of Margaret
began. 1t would have been something
wonderful the way they managed to meet
in the woods if that were not as old a way
as the story itself is old.
When the three large brothers and the
father who claimed Margaret discovered
this they found that was reason enough
to oppose it, They found they did not like
Roland Lee. They discovered an un-
imagined number of reasons why he would
not do, all of which were communicated to
Margaret, only to be received in the usual
fashion The more they urged the more
the girl decided that he would do.
Finally the family brought matters to a
crisis by locking Margaret in her room.
You may have read Dorothy Vernon of
Haddon Hall" That explains how such
course of action does not bring the de-
sired results. 1t is not necessary to read
it, You may be able to imagine that it
would not.
Lee walked about the woods for some
time without finding Margaret before he
learned that she was a prisoner. He also
learned that he was the cause of it. Being
young man OF decided convictions, upon
which he was accustomed TO act prompt
ly, he followed his usual custom in this
case. He went to the nearest town and
secured minister.
81 want you to marry me- he said.
'With pleasure" said the clergyman,
"but where is the BRIDE"
well have to get her. Can you stand
a long drive?"
The minister said he could. Lee got his
rifle and they set out for the Black home.
Lee and his clergyman walked up to the
door and knocked. The eldest brother
threw open the door, revealing the whole
family seated at the table. Margaret had
been allowed out of her room to eat dinner,
and she had been sitting silently, refusing
to discuss her love affair with her jaiers
The three large brothers and the father
had threatened to thrash Lee on sight if
he came near the house. and when Margaret
saw him appear suddenly in the doorway
she jumped from her chair. expecting to
see her lover set upon by the fighting
brothers and put in a condition for the un-
dertaker
Nothing of that sort happened Lee was
too quick for them Before one could
move, he had his rifle in position where it
could be used rapidly and effectively.
Gust stand where you are, please he
said. Mr. Black, will you sit down again.
Thank you. Miss Black will you come out
doors: Now, if any one moves toward a
gun, there'll be trouble.
Il just wanted a moments talk with
Margaret. | heard that she was keeping
the house so | had to come here to see
her l understood that you were looking
for me, so | thought l would avoid trouble.
Margaret, I just wanted to ask if you
will marry me-"
Yes" said the 'dsobedent Margaret.
81 will. ! won't be a prisoner any longer
/ won't stay in this house, and | will marry
him."
Then, if your brothers and father will
just step outside" said Lee, and pointed
the rifle toward each in succession. In
certain parts of the west a gun play usually
means business and not bluff So the three
brothers and the father came outside.
"Now, if you will just move about so feet
away" said Lee, and they moved.
| The minister had been standin ing through
this proceeding, rather startled man, but
one who was beginning to see the part he
had to play.
81 secured a license before I spoke to
you," said Lee to the clergyman. Here
it Is. Now, Margaret, if you are ready
The witnesses will please keep quiet and
remain standing"
Margaret came out of the house and
stood before the minister hand in hand
with Lee, who used his left to keep the
rife pointed in the direction of the wit
nesses.
Under these conditions the marriage cere
mony was performed. When it had been
concluded Lee kissed his wife hastily. a:
the rife had to be kept on the rest of the
, family, and then began to plan a retreat
The minister was told to drive the carriage