Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-11-20
49, The ==
Bridal Race.
By M.ude Swain Evans.
Z Copyrighted. 1897. BY c. H. Sutclifre.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,

<
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
81 want you to ride in the bridal race
with me, Frieda." said Wilhelm Roche
as he stood ready to mount Black
Nance after having delivered his sis
ter's wedding invitation to Farmer Die
trich's family.
az can't" answered Frieda Dietrich.
with regret in her eyes and voice. ia
tier has promised Anil Myer that l
shall ride with him."
"You wouldn't do that. Frieda?''
pleaded Wilhelm. 1--WE never told you
so but as long back as can remember
I'VE counted on your being my wife
some day. You won't ride in the bridal
race with any other man, Frieda? Tell
me that you won't" entreated Will
helm.
'Td like to ride with you, Wilhelm,
but I can't. must do as father says"
and the tears welled to Frieda's eyes
rs she turned and went into the house.
Detection and gloom took possession
of Wilhelm as he rode away.
~ don't belieye that Trieda really
cares for Myer," he soliloquized. HE
must be at least ten years older than
she is, but he's got his farm clear and
money In the bank, and of course that
talks with Dietrich. Myers got good
horses, and he stands a chance of win
ming the race with Nance out, and If
he doesr Wilhelm's face looked dark
and threatening and then perturbed as
his thoughts flashed back to winters
night when he. a half grown boy. sat
by the fireplace In STEMS large kitchen
and with bullying eyes and open mouth
listened to old Granny Stein tell weird
stories Of her fatherland. Just as WV
idly as he did that night Wilhelm could
see the old woman's face grow witch
like and uncanny under the flickering
freight as she told of a couple who.
after winning the bridal race, had dis
regarded the omen and had refused to
marry.
Love had changed to hate. and so
UllleT was tuC LEV PetcoAOh ShaI NhCy
travelled far away from their native
home in hope of never meeting again.
When twelvemonth passed the fire
man" gained possession Of their souls.
and constantly and increasingly he pur-
sued them, bringing them nearer and
nearer together until he succeeded in
driving them close enough to encircle
with his lightning. At first there was
great circle. but it grew smaller and
smaller until the man and woman met,
and then In fash and roar they
disappeared and We're never seen
again. Wilhelm knew that If Frieda
entered the bridal race with Myer
she would be irrevocably lost to him.
One morning shortly after Wilhelm
had carried the wedding invitation he
was in the Village. When about to get
his horse for the homcward trip he re
membered that his mother wanted
some things froin Funk's grocery. In
the store he found Dietrich and Myer.
Myer had brought in some farm prod
uce and was settling with Gus Funk.
the grocers boy.
Il owe you dollar ninety-seven, but
/ can't make it." said Gus, looking into
the money drawer. II have only one
ninety-five in change"
That's near enough, Myer." inter-
rupted Dietrich; take it and come on"
II don't know" replied Myer. "A
penny here and penny there and a
dollars soon gone. You put it down.
Gus, and pay me the next time" in
sisted Myer. following Dietrich out.
There's stingy man for you" re-
marked Gus to Wilhelm. III father
owes him an odd sum he'll always say,
Even 1t up. Funk; a few pennies don't
count and father will even it up"
You don't have money unless you
watch it. Gus. my boy" responded Will
helm.
There's limit" retorted Gus.
"Myer is an old miser. One time
picked up few apples from under his
trees. and he came out and swore he'd
have me arrested. Henry Rubb came
along and paid for them, and then the
old coward said ought to be punish
ed anyway, and he gave me kick
tnat made me sore for a week. | in
tend to get even with him for that kick
some day"
I believe you're just the fellow I'm
looking for. Gus" Wilhelm declared,
and he stayed In the store and talked
Tor nearly an hour. When he came
out he had smile on his face and he
mad regained his usual cheerfulness.
Each day until the wedding he curried
and brushed Nance until her coat
shone like velvet. Whenever he could
ne took the church road to his home.
and when there was no one in sight
ne urged his mare to her fastest speed
and guided her through bitches and
over all the rough places that he could
md along the road.
Its no use pulling at my coat, old
GIRL" declared Wilhelm as he brushed
Nance the morning Of his sisters we'd
ding day mo Won can't have oats or