The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1906-02-09
stealing a Bride
TOriginal.1

In COLONIAL times lnere Wds MINUS
custom called bride stealing. Persons
who had not been invited to the we'd
ding would watch for a chance after
the ceremony had been performed TO
the bride. Placing her on q
horse behind one Of their party, they
would gallop to u neighboring tavern
where they had ordered supper. IL
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 IN old colonial justice Of the
peace, were very attractive girls. Mary
was engaged to an officer In the British
army, and her parents, being Tories,
were well satisfied with the match, but
Helen's fiance, being outspokSn In con.
domination OF the taxes the king lev
led on the colonies, was not acceptable
to her father, who declared that she
should never marry man tinctured
with 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
happy pair. In vain Truxell endeavor-
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 We're assembled Mt 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 plentiful sprinkling Of
redcoats from the groom's regiment,
stationed Mt Boston, who held their
heads very high among the palmer
young men who were 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 q commo-
ton, amid which voices cried:
bride stealers"
"The bride has been stolen!'
'Mountv
"They're galloping away!
There was n gathering Of horses
hoofs, growing fainter in the distance
Under the sheds horses and vehicles
which had brought the guests wert
standing, and a number Of the men
headed by the brides father and bel
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. A
one point the pursuers came t.
branches Of trees piled in the road II
prevent their progress. That the kid
napers were not delayed was because
having prepared the distractions them
took bypath around them. Dismount
ing, the pursuers soon cleared the roa'
and were off again. Then they mp
! preached q covered bridge which hat
been packed with straw and which u
soon as the kidnapers had passe'
through 1t they had set afre. Indeed
} the pursuers saw the sparks struc
from the flint for the purpose. BY tn
time they reached the bridge 1t wa
afiame, and they must go to ford
D GOOD mile around. This decided tn
$ race. When the pursuers reached
j, tavern where the lady had been take
and Mr.. Harrington went up on to til
porch his daughter came out to MEG
him. But instead of throwing hersel
into his arms she knelt at his fee
Then for the first time her father NJ
ticed that man who followed her wa
n young Truxell.
O "What do you mean by this2' e.
claimed the old man angrily.
Father" said the kneeling girl. 40
!. give me. l am married"
q "Of course you're married and, than
heaven, to a loyal subject Of the KIM
What! Helen! Do you mean
!, 1T means, Mr.. Harrington" sal
s Truxell, that the bride is at hom
This Is her sister, whom that clergyma
who Is standing within has just unite
In wedlock to me. Our wedding suppt
Is ready. Send for the guests ut tn
i. hall, and we will celebrate q doub
wedding here"
Helen led her father to room whel
II they were alone and, winding her arm
n about him, besought him to forgive HI
n and make the occasion merry instca
Of a mournful one One circumstant
was Of great assistance to her. In IL
settlement pertaining to Mary's ma
- rage Mr.. Harrington had been oblige
), to use EGO worth OF stamps that ha
been rendered essential under Il
r stamp act-an act which finally made