“In the meantime, it was whispered about that the Professor and Miss K. were there for the purpose of being married.  This, the people of Fulton determined at once, should not be done in that town.  They, therefore, assembled several hundred strong, and appointed a Committee to wait upon the party, which they accordingly did, and informed the Professor that he must leave town, and the young lady that she must go home, to which request they both acceded without hesitation.

“The above is, as we have been informed, a full and true statement of the affair which has created such an excitement throughout the country.”

* * * * *

The reader will see that the article appears as an editorial—­another evidence that it is “conscience that doth make cowards of us all.”

Should Mr. King ever see this little book, and wonder how I found him out, I will simply inform him that I chanced to be in the neighborhood of the Journal Office, when he went in with his piece; and further, I have the guarantee of the Editor.

I now subjoin an extract of a note which I received from Miss King, on the afternoon of February the 12th:—­

“Fulton, Friday Morning, Feb. 11th.

  “Professor Allen,—­
     “Dearest and best-loved Friend:—­

“I am much better this morning; and if I could only see you for a few hours, I am sure I should be quite well again.  I have been trying to persuade father to let me go to Syracuse this morning and see you, but he thinks my health is not in a state to admit of it now, but has promised me faithfully that I may meet you at Loguens, on Tuesday of next week.

* * * * *

“Professor—­When I saw that article in the ‘Syracuse Journal,’ holding you up in such a ridiculous light, and laboring to make such false impressions upon the mind of the public, my soul was on fire with indignation.

* * * * *

“I need not tell you again that I love you, for you know that I do; yes, and I always shall until life’s troubled waters cease their flow.

“All communications that I receive from, or send to, you, are read by father; for I am a prisoner, yes, a prisoner; and when you write to me—­if you should before I see you—­you must say nothing but what you are willing to have seen.  I shall manage to send this note without having it seen by any one.

* * * * *

“When I see you, I will tell you how much I have suffered since I saw you last, and how much I still suffer.

* * * * *

“Ever yours,
“Mary.”

[The italicising of the above is my own.]

* * * * *

This little note was the only communication which I had received from Fulton, containing any account of the doings of the King family, since the letter written to me by Miss King, announcing that our engagement must be broken.  Though short, it was satisfactory.  It assured me that Miss King,—­though she could be persecuted—­could not be crushed.