The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-06-21
"What is that ?"
II don't know" lied Perkins.

"What is that ?"
II don't know" lied Perkins.
Before he could say anything more,
an answering whistle was heard in
front, and almost Immediately they
were surrounded by tall forms, half
dozen in all, and all wearing the
feathers and war paint of the Indians
of that region.
"Utter no sound" said one, who was
apparently the leader, in good English,
"and you will not be harmed"
"What is the meaning of this 7"
blurted Perkins, in spite of the warn
ing
Skillful hands grasped him and, in
spite of his struggles. bound and
gagged him securely, leaving his legs
free, so that he could walk. Miss
Willets wisely said nothing, but one
could see that she was in woeful
tremor.
Their captors led them from the
path and thru the forest, which seemed
almost impenetrable. Half an hours
march brought them to small clear
ing and, leaving the prisoners in the
center, their captors disposed them
selves around them, in order to shut
off any avenue of escape. The leader
seated himself on a log facing his
prisoners. The gag was removed
from Perkins mouth, but his arms
were still bound.
i you'll pay dearly for this, my fine
fellow" he said angerly. .What are
you going to do now you've got us
hereY ?"
"Hold your horses, my dear fellow,
and you'll soon know" was the re-
j sponse. This did not sound like an
Indian expression. Miss Willets was
speechless, partly from fright, and
t partly from curiosity. She had suf.
! fered no rough handling and she could
. not conceive the object of the proceed
/ ings. She was soon to learn. The
= leader arose and addressed them.
s "You have doubtless already sur
Q missed that we are not Indians. That
is true. The dress was adopted by us
4 for obvious reasons. A disguise Was
! necessary. Now, as to the object o1
/ Iyour detention, will state it briefly
= We are secret organization, known
;. as the society for the Promotion o.
i Matrimony. 1t has been noticed tha
:. the young people of this fair western
= land show marked tendency to re
Q main single, until they have reached
d middle age. We have endeavored t,
Q find some peaceable solution to thl
y deplorable situation, but nothing sat
g isfactory has suggested itself. There
q fore, we are compelled to resort t.
d force. Our system is simple. When
q ever we find young man and a younI
!, woman, apparently enjoying eac
d others company, but. neglecting tn
is one great object of life, we adopt th
Is method of coercion that you hav
ID just witnessed. The parties concerne
l. are confronted with an alternativ,
lO OltuCI W OO m0ll lCA eAuACO1oCOiy, v
Is to be held until suitable arrangement
le can be made. Now, here is our proI
ir osition to you. You can either b
ly married here and now, by ministe
g, whom we have at hand, or the gentle
a. man will be subjected to such PEI
suasive means as we have arranged
r What is your answefp"
y, Perkins spoke first. IF you thin
to for one moment that will ever col
so sent to your forcing this lady to MARI
be against her will, you are mistaken
Do with me as you please, but you wi
he answer for it in the end"
Miss Wiilets was in deep distres
be "You surely must be a lot Of lunatics
ne she said. "You have no reason
suppose that such union would be
ev happy one, and I would never be
of party to such proposal Please let
he go back"
or The leader spoke again: "If you q
iss both determined in your oppositio
there is nothing else to say. We, W
I'M prepare the means Of persuasion"
He gave some orders in 9 low tol