The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-05-12
Stealing a Bride

Ii colonial times there was d curious
on .om G. led bride stealing. Persons
wiz had L.; heen invited to the wed
dj-:te would watch for a chance after
the ceremony had been performed 10
ki.nap the bride. Placing her on d
hose behind one of their party, they
would gallop to a n~eighboring tavern
where they had ordered supper. II
they reached the tavern before the
br:!e had been rescued the night was
spent there in feasting and dancing,
AMI the bridegroom was expected TO
foot the bills.
Mary and Helen Harrington. daugh-
ters of an old colonial justice of the
peace, were very attractive girls. Mary
was engaged to an officer IN the BRUSH
army, and her parents, being tories,
We're we'll satisfied with the match, but
Helen's fiance. being ~outspoken IN n
domination of the axes the king lev
led on the colonies. was not acceptable
to her father, who declared that she
should never marry a man tinctured
with Il spirit of rebellion.
On the other hand, preparations for
liz liz IlSC VI Sople
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 endeayor-
ed to gain an interview with Helen,
hoping to 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
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 groom's regiment,
stationed at 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 We're bringing in
, the supper. Suddenly every candle was
extinguished, and there was a commo-
tion. 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 a 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 We're fleeing
! before them flashing their horses. At
t one point the pursuers came to
branches of trees piled in the road to
prevent their progress. That the kid
l 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. hen they ap-
preached a covered bridge which had
been packed with straw and which as
soon as the kidnapers had passed
through it they had set aire. Indeed.
the pursuers saw the sparks struck
from the flint for the purpose. By the
e time they reached the bridge it was
d afame, and they must 60 to a ford a
a good mile around. This decided the
t. race. When the pursuers reached 8
e tavern where the lady had been taken
and Mr.. Harrington went up on to the
d. porch his daughter came out to NEE,
d him. But instead of throwing herself
S into his arms she knelt at his feet
s. Then for the first time her father no
d tced that a man who followed her was
u young Truxell.
h "What do you mean by this?' e1
10 claimed the old man angrily.
ie Father said the kneeling girl. for
give me. l am married"
"Of course you're married and, thanL
heaven. to a loyal subject of the king
~ What! Helen! Do you mean
1T means. Mr.. Harrington" SAID
Tru1ell. that the bride is at home
III This is her sister, whom that clergyman
who is standing within has just united
u In wedlock to me. Our wedding suppe,
Is ready. Send for the guests at tn,
hall, and we will celebrate a doubl,
wedding here
Helen led her father to a room wher'
- they were alone and, winding her arm
about him, besought him to forgive he
~ and make the occasion a merry insteat
;, Of a mournful one. One circumstanc
=. was of great assistance to her. In tn
settlement pertaining to Mary's mar
riage Mr.. Harrington had been oblige,
to use EGO worth Of stamps that ha,
been rendered essential under tn
stamp act-an act which finally made
rebel out of he old Tory. At any rate
he forgave the young couple. and a
rode back to the hall, meeting messer
gers to say that the bride was safe an
yer II Was tha bridesmaid Who had hoo