Book 2 chapter 3, of a study in Scarlet by Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Book 2 chapter 3, John Ferrier talks with the prophet. Three weeks had passed since Jefferson hope and his comrades had departed from Salt Lake City. John farriers heart was sore within him when he thought of the young man's return and of the impending loss of his adopted child yet, her bright and happy face reconciled him to the arrangement.
More than any argument, could have done. He'd always determined deep down in his Resolute, heart. The nothing would ever induce him to allow his daughter, to Wed a Mormon. Such a marriage, he regarded as no marriage at all. But as a shame and a disgrace, whatever, he might think of the Mormon doctrines of on that one point. He was inflexible. He had to seal his mouth on the subject. However, for to express an unorthodox opinion was a
dangerous matter. In those days in the land of the Saints. Yes, a dangerous matter. So dangerous that even the most saintly dared, only whisper their religious. With bated breath lest something which fell from their lips might be misconstrued and bring down a swift retribution upon them. The victims of persecution had now turned persecutors on their own account and persecutors of
the most terrible description. Not to the Inquisition of Seville, nor the German Vega reached, nor the secret societies of Italy were ever able to put a more formidable Machinery in motion than that which cast a cloud. Loud over the state of Utah. It's invisibility and the Mystery which was attached to it made this organization doubly
terrible. It appeared to be omniscient and omnipotent and yet was neither seen nor heard the man who held out against the church vanished away and non-new with a, he had gone, or what had befallen him, his wife and his children, awaited him at home. But no, father, ever returned to tell them how he had fared at the hands of Secret judges. A rash word or a hasty Act was followed by Annihilation and yet non knew what the nature might be of this terrible power which
was suspended over them. No wonder that men went about in fear and trembling and that even in the heart of the Wilderness. They dared not whisper the doubts which oppressed them. At first, this vague and terrible power was exercised only upon the recalcitrance who having embraced the Mormon faith wished afterwards to pervert, or to abandon it soon.
However, it took a wider range. The supply of adult women was running short and polygamy without a female population on which to draw was a Barren Doctrine. Indeed, strange rumors began to be bandied about rumors of murdered immigrants and rifled camps in regions. Where Indians had never been seen fresh. Women appeared in the harms of the elders women who pined and wept and bore upon their faces, the traces of an unextinguishable horror. Belated Wanderers upon the
mountains. Spoke of gangs of armed, men, masked stealthy, and a noiseless who flitted by them in the darkness. These tales and rumors took substance and shape and were corroborated Andre, corroborated until they resolve themselves into a definite name. To this day in the lonely, ranches of the West. The name of the denied band or the avenging, Angels is a Sinister and an ill-omened one. Full of knowledge of the organization, which produce such terrible results.
Serve to increase rather than to lessen the horror, which it inspired in the minds of men non-new who belonged to this ruthless Society, the names of the participators in the Deeds of blood and violence, done, under the name of religion were kept profoundly secret. The very friend to whom you communicated, your misgivings as to the prophet and his mission might be one of those who would Come for that night with fire and sword to exact a terrible reparation.
Hence, every man, feared, his neighbor and non spoke of the things which were nearest, his heart one. Fine morning. John, Ferrier was about to set out to his wheat Fields when he heard the click of the latch. And looking through the window saw, a stout sandy-haired middle-aged man. Coming up the pathway. His heart leaped to his mouth for this was none other than the great Brigham Young himself. Full of trepidation for, he knew
that such a visit boded him. Little good farrier ran to the door, to greet, the Mormon Chief the latter. However, received his salutations coldly and followed him with a Stern, face into the sitting room. Brother farrier. He said, taking a seat and eyeing the farmer keenly from under his light-colored, eyelashes. The True Believers have been good friends to you. We picked you up when you were starving in the desert. We share our food with you laid.
You safe to The Chosen Valley, gave you a goodly share of land and allowed you to wax Rich under our protection. Is this not so? It is so and so, John Ferrier. In return for all this, we asked. But one condition that was that you should embrace the true faith and conform in every way to its usage. Has this you promise to do? And this if common reports is truly, you have neglected. And how have I neglected? It asked Faria throwing out his hands in expostulation.
Have I not given to the common fund. Have I not attended at the temple. Have I not? Where are your wives asked young looking around him. Call him in that. I may greet him. It is true that I have not married fairy answered, but women were few and there were many who had better claims and I, I was not a lonely, man. I had my daughter to attend to my once.
He is of that daughter that I would speak to, you said the leader of the Mormons. She has grown to be the flower of Utah and has found favor in the eyes of many who are high in the land. John Ferrier groaned internally. There are stories of her which I would Fain disbelieve stories that she is sealed to some Gentile. This must be the gossip of idle tongues.
What is the 13s? Rule in the code of the sainted Joseph Smith. Let every maiden of the true Faith. Marry one of the elect for if she wed a gentile she commits a grievous sin. This being so it is impossible that you who profess the holy Creed should suffer your daughter to violate it. John Ferrier made, no answer, but he played nervously with his riding-whip. Upon this one point, your whole face shall be tested. So it has been decided in the
sacred Council of four. The girl is Young and we would not have her wed. Gray hairs. Neither would we deprive her of all choice? We Elders have many heifers, but our children must also be provided stangerson has a son and driba has a son and either of them would gladly, welcome your daughter to their house. Let her choose between them. They are young and Rich and of the true Faith. What say you to that? Fairy remain silent for some little time with his brows
knitted. You will give us time. He said at last, my daughter is very young. She is scarce of an age to marry. She shall have a month to choose said young rising from his seat at the end of that time. She shall give her answer. He was passing through the door when he turned with flushed face and flashing eyes. It were better for you. John. Ferrier.
He thundered that you and she were now, lying Blanche skeletons upon the Sierra Blanco, then that you should put your weak Wills against the orders of the Holy for. With a threatening gesture of his hand, he turned from the door and Ferrier heard his heavy steps crunching along the shingly path. He was still sitting with his elbows upon his knees, considering how he should broached the matter to his daughter. When a soft hand was laid upon his and looking up.
He saw her standing beside him. One glance at her pale. Frightened face, showed him that she had heard what had passed. I couldn't help it. She said, in answer to his look, his voice rang through the house. Oh, Father, father. What should we do? Don't you scare yourself? He answered. Drawing her to him. And passing his broad rough. Hand caressingly over chestnut. Hair. Will fix it up somehow or other. You don't find your fancy kind of listening for this chap. Do you?
A sob and a squeeze of his hand. Was her only answer. No, of course not. I shouldn't care to Bear. You say you did. He's a likely lad and he's a Christian, which is more than these folk here in spite, all they're praying and preaching. There's a party starting for Nevada tomorrow, and I'll manage to send him a message, letting him know, the whole we're in. If I know anything of that young man, he'll be back here with a speed would whip Electra telegraph's. Lucy laughs, through her tears
at her father's description. When he comes, he will advise us for the best, but it is for you that I'm frightened, dear one. He is one. He has such Dreadful stories about those who oppose the profit. Something terrible, always happens to them. But we haven't opposed him yet. Her father answered. It'll be time to look out for squalls. When we do, we have a clear month before us. At the end of that, I guess we'd best Shin out of Utah. Leave Utah, that's about the size of it.
But the farm will raise as much as we can and money and let the rest go to tell the truth. Lucy. It isn't the first time. I've thought of doing it. I don't care about knuckling under to any man as these folk due to their Don profit. I'm a Freeborn American and it's all new to me. I guess I'm too old to learn if he comes browsing about this farm. He might chance to run up against a charge of Buckshot traveling in the opposite direction. But they won't let us. Leave his daughter.
Objected wait till Jefferson comes and will soon manage that in the meantime, don't you fret yourself my dearie and don't get your eyes swelled up else. He'll be walking into me when he sees you. There's nothing to be a feared about and there's no danger at all.
John Ferrier, uttered these consoling remarks in a very confident tone, which she could not help observing that, he paid unusual care to the fastening of the doors that night and that he carefully cleaned and loaded the rusty old shotgun which hung upon the walls of his bedroom. End of chapter 3. End of chapter 3.