Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-27
DAILY SHORT STORY
[originaLl
STEALING A BRIDE

custom called bride stealing. PERSONS
who had not been invited TO the wed
ding would watch for a chance after
the ceremony had been performed TO
kidnap the bride. Placing her on 4
horse behind one Of their party, they
would gallop to a neighboring tavern
where they had ordered supper. If
they reached the tavern before the
bride had been rescued the night was
spent there in feasting and dancing,
and the bridegroom was expected to
foot the bills.
Mary and Helen Harrington, daugh-
tiers of an old colonial justice of the
peace, We're very attractive girls. Mary
was engaged to an officer in the British
army, and her parents, being Tories,
We're well satisfied with the match, but
Helen's fiance. being outspOken in con-
domination of the taxes the king lev
led on the colonies, was not acceptable
20 her father, who declared that she
should never marry man tinctured
with a spirit of rebellion.
On the other hand, preparations for
the marriage of Captain Hinchelwood
and Mary Harrington were being made
with great satisfaction to all, though
TruXell and Helen could not but be
cast down at the contrast between
their own condition and that of the
happy pair. In vain TruXell endeavor-
ed to gain an interview with Helen,
hoping 10 persuade her to elope with
him. But she was so closely watched
that communication was impossible.
Preparations for Mary's wedding
having been made and the wedding
day arrived, guests from all the coun-
try roundabout were assembled at Har-
rington Hall to take part in the fes-
tivities. Captain Hinchelwood wore
his scarlet uniform. Mary a white satin
gown beautifully trimmed with lace.
Her sister was her only bridesmaid.
There was n plentiful sprinkling of
redcoatS from the groom's regiment,
stationed ut Boston, who held their
heads very high among the palmer
young men who We're soon to meet
them at Concord, Lexington and Bun
ker Hill. The ceremony had taken
place. the bride and groom were re
ceiving congratulations. and the negro
cooks in the kitchen were bringing in
the supper. Suddenly every candle was
eXtinguished, and there was a commo-
ton, amid which voices cried:
Bride stealers"
1.-The bride has been stolen"'
Mount
They're gallOping away!"
There was a Gathering of horses
hOofs, growing fainter in the distance
Under the sheds horses and vehicles
which had brought the guests were
standing. and q number of the men,
headed by the brides father and her
husband, mounted and dashed away
after the kidnapers. a full moon illu-
minated the landscape. and at every
straight stretch of road the pursuing
party could see those who were fleeing
before them flashing their horses. At
one point the pursuers came TO
branches of trees piled in the road to
prevent their progress. That the kid
naperS were not delayed was because.
having prepared the Instructions them
selves, when they came to them they
took a bypath around them. Dismount-
ing. the purSuerS soon cleared the road
and were off again. Then they APP
preached a covered bridge which had
been packed with straw and which as
soon as the kidnaperS had passed
through it they had set afire. Indeed,
the pursuerS saw the sparks struck
from the tint for the purpose. BY the
time they reached the bridge ii was
aflame, and they must go to a ford a
good mile around. This decided the
race. When the pursuers reached
tavern where the lady had been taken
and Mr. Harrington went up on TO the
porch his daughter came out to meet
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' ex-
claimed the old man angrily.
Father" said the kneeling girl, for
give me. ! am married"
"Of course you're married and, thank
heaven. TO a loyal subject Of the king.
What! Helen, Do you mean
1T means. Mr.. Harrington" said
TruxeH. that the bride is at home. |
This is her sister, whom that clergyman !
who is standing within has just united |
in wedlock to me- Our wedding supper |
is ready. Send for the guests at the |
hall. and we will celebrate double |
wedding here
Helen led her father to room where |
they were alone and, winding her arms |
about him. besought him to forgive her /
and make the occasion a merry instead |
Of a mOurnful one. One circumstance /
was Of great assistance TO her. In the
settlement pertaining to Mary's mar
rlage Mr.. Harrington had been obliged |
TO use $40 worth Of stamps that had
been rendered essential under the
stamp act-an act which finally made
rebel ont OF the old Tory. At any rate,
he forgave the young couple. and all
rode back TO the hall. meeting messen-
gers 10 say that the bride was safe and
IL was the bridesmaid who had been /
stolen. On reaching the hall they ate
one supper there, then went TO the tav-
arn, where they ate another.
The marriage that Mr.. Harrington
expected would be a blessing to him