Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-01
Courtship Of the Elder A dams.

mouth Meeting Honse, and heard a sermon from
the venerable pastor, Rev. Jacob Norton. About
the same time, made Mr.. Norton visit, and
became much interested III the old gentleman. |
mentioned my agreeable visits 10 an old lady of
the parish, whose acquaintance | had made
She informed me that Mr.. Norton was ordained
their pastor when he was about twenty-one years
of age, and that he had been with them nearly
forty years. She observed that most of his pres
ent parisbioneIs could remember no other PASTOR
but that she could well remember his predeces-
sor, the Rev. Mr. Smith, and that he and Mr.
Norton had filled the pulpit for the better
part of the last eighty years
"MT. Smith," said she, twas an excellent
man, and very fine preacher; but he had high
notions of himself and family-in other words,
he was something of an aIistocrat.''
One day, she told me the following anecdote
of old Parson Smith, and several other persons of
distinction.
MIR. Smith had two charming daughters. Mary
was the name Of the oldest, the others name
have forgotten. They were admired by the
beaux, and enved by the bellies of the country
round. But while the careful guardians of the
parsons family were holding consultation on the
subject, it was rumored that two young lawyers
i think both of the neighboring town Of Quin-
cy-a Mr.. Cranch and Mr.. Adams-were pay
ing their addresses TO the Misses Smith. AS ey-
Ct udis WOIlldus duu Cutlus Ol q country DdllSn
in New England, Is acquainted with whatever
occurs in the parsons family, all the crcumstan.
ces of the couriship soon transpIred.
Mr.. Cranch was of respectable family of
some note, was considered young man of prom
lse, and altogether worthy Of the alliance he
sought. lie was very acceptable TO Mr.. Smith
and was greeted by himself and his family with
great respect and cordially. He was received
by the eldest daughter as a lover, and was, in
fact, young man of great responsibility He
afterwards rose to the dignity Of Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas of Massachusetts, and
was the father of the present Judge Cranch, of
The District Of Columbia.
The suitor of the other daughter was John Ad-
ans, who aftaSwards became President of the u
States But at that time, in the opinion of Mr..
Smith and family, he gave but slender promise of
the distinction to which he afterwards arrived
His pretenslons were scorned by all the family
excepting the young lady to whom his addresses
were especially directed. Mr.. Smith showed him
none of the ordinary civies of the house; he
was not asked to partake of The hospaliies of
the table; and it is reported that his horse was
doomed to share with his master the neglect and
modification to which he was subject, for he was
frequently seen shiveriug in the cod and gnaw.
Ing the post at the parsons door, of long winter
evenings. In short, it was reported that the par
Il
acceptable, and that he would confer favor by
disseminating them. He told his daughter that
John Adams was unworthy of her that his father
was an honest man and tradesman, who had tried
to Initiate John in the arls of husbandry and shoe
! making, but without success; and that he had
sent him to college, as last resort. He begged
his daughter not to think Of making an alliance
with one so much beneath her
Miss Smith was among the most dutfu of
daughters, but she saw Mr. Adams through a me-
dunn very different from that in which her father
viewed him. She would not for the world offend
or disobey her father; but still John saw some
thing in her eye and manner, which seemed to
say, 'PerseUerep and on that hint he acted.
Mr. Smith, like good parson and an affec-
Tomato farther, had told his daughters, that, if
they married with his appreciation, he would
preach each OF them ,sermonlon the Sabbath
alter the joyful occasion; and that they should
have the privilege of choosing the text.
The espousal Of The oldest daughter, Mary,
arrived, and she was united to Mr.. Cranch in the
holy bonds, with the approval, the blessings, and
the henedctions of her parents and her friends.
Mr.. Smith then said, my dutilul child, am now
ready TO prepare your sermon for next Sunday
What do you select for your text?'
my dear father said Mary, Il have selected
The latter part Of the forty-second verse of Luke
lks
never be taken from her.
Very good, my daughter, said he, and SO
sermon was preached.
Mr.. Adams persevered in his suit, in defiance
OF all opposition 1t was many years after, and
on very different occasion, and in resistance of
very different opposition that he uttered these
memorable words Sink or swim, live or die,
survive or perishI give my heart and hand to this
measure But though the measures were differ
ent, the spirit was the same. Besides, he had
already carried the main point of attack-the
heart OF the young lady-and he knew the sur
render OF the citadel must soon follow After the
unusual hesitation and delay that attend such an
unpleasant affair, Mr.. Smith, seeing that resist
ance was fruilless, yielded the contested point
with as much grace as possible, as many pru-
dent lalher has done, before and since that time
Mr.. Adams was united 10 the lovely Miss S.
Alter the marriage was over, and all things were
settled IN quiet, Mrs. Adams remarked to her IA
Their, You preached sister Mary sermon on the
occasion OF her marriage. Wont you preach me
one likewise?'
Eyes, my dear gill; said Mr.. Smith, choose
your text, and you shall have your Sermon
WELL said the daughter, 4 have chosen the
thlrty.thrd verse of the seventh chapter of Luke
For John came, neither eating bread nor drink
ing wine; and ye say he hath devil .
Inc ola lady, my informant, looked me very
archly in the face, when she repeated this pas
sage, and Observed
'lf Mary was the most dutiful daughter guess
the other had the most wit
oa could moi ascertain whether the last sermon
was ever preached.
l. may not be inappropriate to remark, how
well these ladies justified the preference Of the
distinguished individuals who had sought them in
marriage. OF them, it will hardly be extrava-
giant to say, they were respectively an honor to
their husbands, the boast Of their sex, and the
pride Of New England
Mrs. Adams, in particuar-who, from the ee-
waited position in which her husband was placed
before the world, was brought before the public
eye-was supposed to hold the same elevated
rank with the gentle sex that Mr.. Adams did
among men; and she is reported to have render
ed her husband much assistance in his multiplied
lahors OF the pen.- Gin. Chronicle.
THE GREATEST LIvfNG CuR10sITY.- Weyes.
teTdaY visited The Caruliua Tutna uha aeo ,,,,.,,