The daily Alaskan., 1907-02-09
Stealing a Bride
IOriginal.l


 the ceremony had been performed to kldnap the bride. Placing her on horse behind one of their party, they would gallO2 to a neighhorlng 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- ters of an 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 we'll satisfied with the match, but Helen's tianCe. being outspOken in con demnation of the taxes the king lev led on the colonies, was not acceptable to her father, who declared that she should never marry man tnCtured with a spirit of rebellion.
 On the other hand, preparations for the marriage of Captain Hlnchelwood 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 10 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 liar ringtOn Hall to take part in the fes. tivitieS. Captain Hinchelwood wore his scarlet uniform, Mary white satin gown beautifully trimmed with lace. Her sister was her only bridesmaid. There was q plentiful sprinkllng of redcoats from the groOms regiment. stationed at Boston, who held thelr heads very high among the plainer 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 a cOmmc tlon, amid which voices cried:
 Bride stealersw
 "Thp bride has been stOlenw
 Mount"
 They're gallOpinG away
 There was clattering 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 kld- napers were not delayed was because having prepared the Instructions them selves. when they came to them they took & bypath around them. Dismount- ing. the pursuers soon cleared the road and were of again. Then they ap- proached a covered bridge which had been packed with straw and which as soon as the kidnapers had passed through 1t they had set aflre. Indeed, tp? pursuers saw the sparks struck tecm the flint for the purpose. By the lime they reached the bridge it was aflame, and they must go to a ford 6 good mile around. This decided the race. When the pursuers reached tavern where the lady had been taken and MT. Harrington went up on to the porch his daughter came out to meet him. But instead of throwing herseT into his arms she knelt at bis feet. Then for the first time her father no- ticed that man who followed her was young Truxell.
 What do you mean by thiS: eA- claimed the old man angrily.
 Father" said the kneeling girl TOT give me. I am married"
 "Of course you're married and, thank heaven, to a loyal subject of the King What! Helen! Do you mean
 Tt means, MT. Harrington said Truxeu. that the bride is at home. This is her sister, whom that clergyman who Is standing within has just united in wedIock 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 a room where they were alone and, winding her arms about him, besought him to forgive her and make the occasion merry Instead of a mournful one. One circumstance was of great assistance to her. In the settlement pertaining to Marys mar riage Mir. Harrington had been obliged to use f20 worth of stamps that had been rendered essential under the stamp act-an act which finally made a rebel out of the old Tory. At any rate he forgave the young couple, and all rode back to the hall, meeting mesSen-