The daily Alaskan., 1905-06-19
Stealing a Bride
torrinall

In colonial times thcrc was curious custom called bride stealing. Persons who had not been Invited Co the we'd ding would watch for chance after the ceremony had been performed to kidnap the bride. Placing her on a horse behind one Of thelr party, they would gallo2 Co nelghborlng tavern where they had ordered suppoe if they reached the tavern before the bride had bceu rescued the night was spent there In feastlng and dancing, and the bridegroom was expected to foot the bills.
 Mary and Helen Harrington, daugh' tcrs of an old colonial justice Of the peace. were very attractive girls. Mary was engaged Co an officer In the British army, and her parents, being Tories were well satisfied with the mach, but Helen's iance, being outsrokcn In rpn- demnation Of the taxes the king lev ted on the colonies, was not acceptable to her father, who declared that she should never marry a man unctured with a spirit ot rebellion.
 On the other hand, preparations for the marriage of Captain Hln0helwooi and Mary Harrington were being made with great satisfaction Co alL though Truxcn and Helen could not but be cast down at the contrast between their own condition and that of the hapnv pair. In vain TruxeIl cndcavor- ed to gain an interview with Helen, hoping to persuade her Co clopc with him. But she was so closely watChed that communication was impossible.
 Preparations for Mary's welding having been made and the wedding day arrived. guests from an the coun- try roundabout were assembled at liar, rington Hall to take part In the tes- tlvltles. Captain Hnchelwood wore his scarlet uniform, Mary a white satin gown beautifully trimmed with lace Her sister was her only bridesmaid There was a plentiful sprinkling Of redcoats from the grooms regiment stationed at Boston, who held their heads very high among the plainer young men who were soon to meet them at Concor1, Lexington and Bun ker I'm. The ceremony had taken place the bride and groom were re- ceivins congratulations, and the negro cooks in the kitchen were bringing In the supper. suddenly every candle was extinguished, and there was commo tion. amid which voices cried;
 Bride stealers"'
 'The bride has been stolen-
 'Mount1'
 'They're galloping awsyv
 There was clattering of horses hoofs, growing fainter In the distance Under the sheds horses and vehicles which had brought the guests were standing, and a number Of the men headed hy the brides father and her husband, mounted and dashed away after the kldnapers. A full moon illu- minated the landscape and at every straight stretch of road the pursuing party could sec those who were fleeing before them flashing their horses. At one polnt the pursuers came Co branches of trees piled In the road Co prevent their progress. That the Kid nspers were not delayed was because, having prepared the ohstrucuons them selves when they came to them they took a bypath around them. Dismount- ine. the pursuers soon cleared the road and were oG again. Then they ap- nroached a covered bridge which had been packed with straw and which as soon as the kidnapers had passed through 1t they had set adre. Indeed inc pursuers saw the sparks struck from inc flint for the purpose. Ky the lime they reached the bridge it was afame, and they must go to ford a rcod mile around. This decided the race. When the pursuers reached tavern where the lady had been taken and Mir. Harrington went up on to tho norch his daughter came out to mee' him But instead of throwing herself into his arms she knelt at his Feet Then for the first time her father no ticed that man who followed her was young TruXell.
 what do you mean by thisF eN claimed the old mar angriE.
 Father" said the kneeling girl TOT give me. I am married
 "Of course you're married and mans heaven. to loyal subject of the king What Helen! Do you mean
 Ut means, Mir Harrington, sal' Truxer. that the bride is at home This is her sister, whom that clergyman who Is standing within has just united