Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-07-16
A WINTER
PROPOSAL
tOriginal.l

IuuI Is pulllSlcu Win Nhc 6iS"os's
severity is marrying a girl against her
parents wishes"
l glanced sidewise Mt Clara to see
how she took this statement. l had
been to her father to ask his permits
sion to pay my addresses to his daugh-
ter. He commended my honorable ac-
ton in speaking to him first, but In
formed me that he had other plans for
her
THAT must be splendid" she said.
"Splendid! Why SOP"
"Thnk of the exciting episodes be-
tween lovers with an ak hanging over
the mans head!'
"Then you do not approve of the
interference Of parents in such mat
ters?'
II didn't say that. But how are
marriages arranged in that country"
"When man wants a glrl-withOut
speaking to her-he goes to her par
ents and asks for her hand"
And suppose they refuse"
"Then there Is no hope for him."
"Unless he has great courage and
would rather die than lose her"
"Certainly."
"But supposing the parents are will
ingT
"In that case they inform the girl that
she is sought in marriage. Possibly
she may never have seen the 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 in
terested are placed opposite each other
at table, SO that they can look each
other over and converse"
II wonder what they talk about?'
remarked Clara musingly.
after the banquet all go to an open
space where what they call the race
for wife takes place. The usual dis
lance Is about quarter of mile, and
the girl Is given a start Of third Of
the course If she wishes she can
easily reach the goal before her sutton.
In that case 1t is plain she doesn't
want him. If she does want him she
will make so poor a race that he can
catch her"
We walked on meditatively. didn't
know what Clara was thinking of, nor
did she know what l was thinking Of
Nevertheless I felt that our thoughts
were not far apart.
"Supposing," l said: "supposing that
you were a girl"-
That's not hypothetical; it's an az
iom."
-"who had lover"
"Well?" she said softly.
land that lover should propose to
you the I4aplanders' race for Wife
Would you consent"
ITO marry him?"
mo, no-you know what I mean
to the racer
"Oh, yes! If he wanted to ask me
have no objection to giving my reply
in the same way"
Snow brings singular stiffness, and
rs we ceased speaking all about us
was as silent as we. / paused and
turned to look down upon the frozen
landscape, while Clara trudged on.
what a straight piece Of road!' she
called, pointing before her, her voice
sounding loud above the stiffness. /
went to where she was standing and
looked at the bit of road she referred
to. 1t was straight as an arrow, and
ut its farther end was bridge
"Just the place for a foot race" I
said.
To this there was no response.
would you like to try which of us
can reach that bridge firstf" l asked.
II don't mind" she said under her
breath.
well, since you are a girl, l must
give you start. Go as far as you like,
while stay here. When you are ready.
wave your hand"
Without word she started on, but
slowly, oh, so slowly. 1t seemed to
me she would never get to the starting
point. She walked half the distance,
then, after as much delay as she could
find an excuse for, waved her hand
and started to run.
There was a great change In her mo-
tons the moment the race began. In
deed she ran so fast that 1 thought 1t
would be impossible for me to catch
her, though am fleet runner. Was
she intending to reach the bridge be-
fore me? No. Soon her speed began to
slacken. l increased mine. Then she
started forward again. l Jagged. Once
more she lessened her pace. and l,
taking heart, ran on like the wind.
She was within hundred yards of the
bridge, l two hundred, when she made
another squirt. She came within ten
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 let
them fall upon my shoulders.
We did not break the winter stiffness
by a word. Nor was there sound of
bird or beast or human being. Whether
seconds or minutes passed l do not
know l only remember that we were
recalled to our surroundings by n far
distant Jingle of sleigh bells ringing
soft and clear. Then we turned and
walked on.
When | went again to Clara's IA
ther to ask for her hand. had learned
that instead of being her master, to
dispose of her as he chose, he was her
slave and Obeyed her slightest wish.
In the matter of marriage he would
never have arranged match for her
except with prince of the blood"
l.. Co