The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-08-05
"A WINTER
PROPOSAL
lOriginal.l

ter. lie commended my honorable nc
ton in speaking to him rirst but In
formed me that he had other plans for
her.
THAT must be splendid" she said.
Splendid! Why sof'
Think OF the exciting episodes be-
tween lovers with an ax hanging over
the mans head!'
Then you DO not approve of the
interference Of parents in such mat
ters?'
Il didn't say that But how arc
marriages arranged in that country
when man wants girl-without
speaking to her-hc goes to her par
ems and asks for her hand
And suppose they refusc:'
Then there ia no hope for him.
Unless he hos great courage and
would rather die than lose her.
Certainly
But surprising the parents are will
ingi"
I'm that case they inform the girl that
she Is sought in marriage. Possibly
she may never have seen tho sutton
or may not even know his name. On
an appointed day the girl, her parents,
friends and the sutton meet at feast
and the man and maiden especially ill.,
terested are placed opposite each other
at table. SO that they can look each
other over and converse"
II wonder what they talk abouti'
remarked Clara musingly.
after the banquet all go to On open
space where what they call the race
for wife takes place. The usual dis
lance is about n quarter Of q mile, and
the girl is given start of third Of
the course. IL she wishes she can
easily reach the goal before her s,litor
In that case 1t is plain she doesn't
want him. If she does want him she
will make SO poor race that he can
catch her."
We walked on meditatively. didn't
know what Clara was thinking OF, nor
did she know what / was thinking OF.
Nevertheless l felt that our thoughts
Were not far apart
"Supposing." said; "supposing that
you were n girl
That's not hypothetical; it's an ax-
iom."
who had n lover
"Well!" she said softly.
--"an1 that lover should propose to
you the Laplanders' race for WIFE,
Would you CONSENT"
TO marry hlIa:"
mo, no-you know what l mean
TO the racer
"Oh, yes! IF he wanted to ask me
to be his wife in that fashion would
have no objection to giving my reply
in the same way"
Snow brings Il singular stiffness, ana
as we ceased speaking nil about us
was as silent as we. paused and
turned TO look down upon the frozen
landscape, while Clara trudged on.
What straight piece Of road" she
called. pointing before her her voice
sounding loud above the stiffness. I
went to where she was standing and
looked at the bit Of road she referred
to. 1t was straight as an arrow, and
at its farther end was bridge.
"Just the place for foot race"
said.
To this there was no response.
Would you like to try which Of us
can reach that bridge first?" l asked
Il don't mind" she said under her
breath
We'll, since you are girl, must
give you start. Go as far as you like,
while l stay here. When you arc ready,
wave your hand.'
Without word she started on. but
slowly, oh, SO slowly. 1t seemed to
Inc she would never get to the starting
point. She walked half the distance.
then, after as much delay as she could
ma an excuse for, waved her hand
and started to run.
There was great change in her mo
tions the moment the race began. In
deed she ran so fast that | thought II
would be impossible for me to catch
her, though l am fleet runner. Was
she intending to reach the bridge be-
fore me? No. Soon her speed began to
slaeken. increased mine. Then she
started forward again. Jagged. Once
more she lessened her pace. and I
taking heart. ran on like the wind
She was within hundred yards Of the
bridge, two hundred, when she made
another squirt. She came within ton
feet of the goal and stopped short
When l came up with her she turned
and threw up her arms In token of
surrender. l clasped her, and she 10,
them fall upon my shoulders.
We did not break the wiuter stiffness
by word. Nor was there sound of
bird or beast or human being. Whether
seconds or minutes passed I do NOT
know. l only remember that VIC wore
recalled to our surroundings by n far
distant Jingle Of sleigh bells rinrjna
soft and clear. Then we turned and
walked on. 49,
When went again to Clara's ~.
ther to ask for her hand, l had learned
mat instead of being her master to
dispose OF her as he chose, he was he,
save and obeyed her slightest wish
In tue matter of marriage he would
never have arranged II match for her
except with u prince OF tho blood y
" bOm hp rvc,tl1 l,,..