The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-01
For the National Era.
SOLOMON PEPPERELL's THANKSGIVING
BY MARTHA RUSSELL


CHAP. /.
Squire Pepperel was n well-kcpt man-an
exceedingly well-kept man. and a rather we'll
favored man. too as no one would deny, that
saw him, as he leaned over his front gate on
Thanksgiving evening" and watched the car
rage that bore his only son and heir back to
the busy life of the city. True, he was swar-
thy, almost. as an Indian, and there was hard
ness about the lines of his face that might sug-
gest to person of sensitive nerves and quick
apprehension, the idea Of logged obstinacy,
not to say cruelty, and a striking fullness about
the ears and throat, that reminded one Of the
animal but then, such people run away with
thousand fancies, and Squire Pepperell was
very respectable man.
He had been keeping Thanksgiving that
day, and certainly no man among us had more
reason to be thankful. At least so said the
good gossips, as they referred to the time when
he had started in the world, with only the
clothes on his back and those none Of the best
and compared it with his present position F.; and
certes, if success in the accumulation of prop
erty be the criterion of prosperity they were
right or, if keen, shrewd brain heart of
stone, conscience of the accommodating quail
tiles of gutta percha, and hand of iron, are to
be set down as the choicest gifts in Gods great
catalogue of blessings. then they were right
He had never doubted or rather in the whole
sixty years of his existence. had never given
himself time to doubt but what they were, and
actually seemed to think that in working out
the problem of life, with money for quotient
he was fulfilling the highest destiny of man.
Yes he was IA very respectable man =; every
thing about him, from the bold region Of self
esteem and firmness, which rose like cold snow
covered promontories from a sea Of stiff iron
gray hair to the toe Of his well-polished boot
indicated it--and very popular man witbal,
az was exceedingly natural, seeing he owned
all the land between Spenccrs farm and the
Min river, to say nothing of his money invest
ed eIsewhere--had been elected twice to the
State Legislature paid the heaviest town tax
of any one in the place, and, though not "a
professor" always bought one of the highest
seats in church, and had at several times du-
ring late years, manifested quite an interest in
the subject of religion; 50 much so, that seve-
raj good. honest souls among us entertained
strong hope that he might yet become "a
burning and shining light in the church." and
his great property pay its legitimate share
towards all benevolent objects. 1t must be
confessed. however that there was here and
there an old person, gifted with stubborn
memory, which would not let them forget or
fail 20 remind Others, how that wealth had
been obtained But these were old-fashioned
people. whose notions Of right and wrong were
A. old fashoned and musty as Themselves;
therefore. few needed their words. Besides,
Squire Pepperell was so "public-splrlted at
least. 80 the younger and more ambitious por-
ton Of our community asserted; and who does
not know that the possession Of the somewhat
indefinite virtues included under that general
head, cover multitude Of private sins!
aHadnt the Squire subscribed more than
any one else towards the new graveyard fence;
and hadn't he said, repeatedly, that IT Jem
Morgan would only pull down or move on hrs
forlorn. looking cd barn near the south corner
If the common. by the bridge, that he would
level the spot plant it with shade trees, and
build new bridge at his own expense, II the
town would not move in the matter Ana
hadn't his son, Mr.. William, sent handsome
donation towards purchasing an organ tor the
church,"
What could such people as old Job Harris