The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1909-03-18
EARLY IOWA ROMANCE.
An Interesting Incident as Told by General
j. b. Weaver

The Mexican war was technically
Terminated by the treaty of Guada-
loupe Hidalgo, concluded Feb. 2, 1S4S,
though the military power OF Mexico
had been broken by the splendid victo-
ries OF Scott and Taylor near the close
Iof the year 1S47. AS a consequence
the whole population, including the
school children, were filled with the
military spirit, from the least to the
greatest. About the close or the lat
ter year there came to our town Cap
tain Wilson, fresh from the field. He
brought with him his sword, pistols
land a handsome uniform which he had
worn in the service, Being a clever
fellow he soon became the pride OF
the town and his word was law. We
will now lose sight of the captain for
a short time, but we shall meet him
again later on.
AT this time there lived south OF
our county just across the state line
In Missouri, a comfortable farmer, well
supplied with sheep. cattle and horses.
HE had several wagons and his cabin
were ample and attractive
beyond what was usually found on the
frontier. Furthermore there was in
the family a beautiful auburn-haired
girl, about IS years Of age, as blithe
and bonnie a lass as ever tripped
across the downs or gathered wild
flowers from the heather. ~
North. some six miles in Davis
lcounty, Iowa, lived a young swain by
the name OF John Paris. Ale was
patching on splendid claim of about
fifty acres of timber and about one
hundred and ten acres of adjoining
lprairie. John was just 81, tall, strong
and ;resolute, He was extremely poor
but, rich in good health, physical en-
ldowments and power of will. Nothing
discouraged or daunted him. He
knew he could pillow, plant and cult
| vate, and that providence would dc
the rest.
| This knowledge made him master oil
himself and OF his environments. But
John had heart. He had spent more
than one Sabbath evening at the hos
pitable cabin of the rugged old farmer
land had chatted with the bonnie au
burn.haired girl The old gentleman
while very courteous and hospitable
Informed the neighbors, John included
THAT he expected to move west to Utah
the next spring. The farm had already
been sold and things necessary for the
Tedious journey were slowly accumu
lating. The daughter mentioned hel
Fathers purpose and John bluntly in
tquired why he was going to Utah.
4 f5 She Was Eighteen.
Emeline, for such was her name,re
lplied: II guess father is Latter 'Da.
iSaint and wants to live among the PEG
lple of his faith. But do not think hi
fought to go, and wish he would aban
ldon the idea" p. @'..-EI' 3. .. '.i.'..'
AZ How old are you, Emeline?" in
fquired John. t'E t+ett1t'.%s "a" b. .
| Her face flushed as she replied, L"
am Is past, and do not want to go an!
further west, but father seems deter
mined and presume we shall have t
Submit. Mother is not settled in mine
about 1t, either"
i fiie hour had arrived for John to re
Turn TO mis- cabin and so he babe Eme
lline cordial good evening and mount
led his horse for home, but first made
an engagement to return the next Sun
lday afternoon.
/ The week was spent in fall breaking
las 1t was called. The tough sod wa.
turned upside down to the depth o
about six inches and left to Absorb
1.-THE moisture and to freeze during thu
winter. Somehow Johns claim began
Ito take on a new charm, and he de
Iclared there was not another chap il
IAN the country who had it's equal. .Ey
lerything about it was perfect and hi
lstrong hands were fully able to MAKE
lit bud and blossom AS a side joi
lJohn dug we'll during the week, wall
led it with stone and constructed a vel
sweep to life the water He said h,
located the well close t" the cabin 81
1.-THE women would not have to carry th'
Iwater so far. The human heart L
lfull OF the prophetic and our noble
Impulses are creative The week hat
lbeen one of severe toll, but our herr
had been buoyed up by visions which
none but the initiated can fully under
istand. He longed every moment TO
lthe Sabbath to come. Accordingly
lhbout 2 o'clock on that day he mount
led his horse and rode away to tn,
thome of the young lady He was re
Iceived with cool gentility by tn,
father and mother, but with charming
Though half concealed cordiallty b!
jEmelino
During the afternoon they took ;
horseback ride and Jonn made it con
Ivenient to visit his claim and treated
Emeline to a cool drink from the new
lwell He pointed out the lines ant
1.-THE lay OF the land. As they rode
away Emeline remarked that it woult
make beautiful home and that 1t wal
so nice to have that big elm tree RICH
| In front of the door. John, with un
lahected simplicity, asked how sh,