Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-09
From the Wilkes-Barre, Pa, Times
QUEEN ESTHER'S ROCK.
They spoke not a word,

Il
But like dumb statues breathless stones
Stsred on each other, and looked deadly palei'
KING RICHARD
ssSee, sec, what q treasure l have found in
Aunt Matty's satchel,'' cried our little pet
Bell, holding up piece of redish stone, which
her busy fingers had drawn forth from the re-
motest corner of large velvet sack, to the no
small disturbance of sundry broken pipes, balls
of thread, and bits of antiquated gowns, the
last sad relics Of Aunt Matty's former glory,
and whose soiled and nutilated forms were in
the habit of being treated with rather more
ceremony than the lawless young rummager
had used in endeavoring to obtain the object
of her present wonder. ssYou will tell us all
about it" continued she teazingly, show Cap
tain Syinmes sent it to you all the way from
the north pole, and how-ssMy dear, my dear"
interrupted the old lady, ssI'd put it right a.
way back again where found it; and be care
full, too; it's something am pretty saving of.
though don't like to look at it much tits
piece of QUEEN EsTHER's Rock
She put kind of low, marked emphasis up
on the last words, which made me raise my
eyes 10 see what could be the important sim
gularity in question. There was nothing re-
markable in its appearance to distinguish it
from any other fragment of common rock, save
that two or three dark glossy spots of the color
Of blood, were discernable on the surface.
'sAnd pray what may be the history of the
marvellous thing, which you dignity with
royal appellation," 1 asked, :swho is Queen
Esther3" 1 spoke pretty loud, as usually
do, and was surprised to find myself answered
by deep moan of distress from Aunt Matty's
insane companion, crazy Rose, as she was call
ed, and one whom had never seen give the
least evidence of rational understanding
"Miserable creature exclaimed Aunt Matty,
IN reply to my enquiring looks, spoor misera-
bic creature, that she is, nothing has ever
seemed to penetrate the midnight cloud which
has for more than forty years hung over her
once brilliant mind, save that name, the most
detcstable of names, Queen Esther and hea-
ven knows, she has reason enough to remem-
Der that"
The reader would perhaps like to know more
Of the history Of the persons here introduced,
and the relationship existing between them,
than the above brief items have developed.
And as am always quiescent in receiving ia
vors from others, and (Franklin iike) believe
in the doctrine of reciprocity, will very ac-
eommodatirgiy relate all the few particulars
with which report had then made me acquaint-
ed, and the story appended may furnish the
rest.
Mat.y Somers or rather Matilda Somers as
1t is said she was christened, was my fathers
eldest sister. And dearest, I might say too,
for ho oil rol- a,,f har -, of fho
premest affection. She had ever since my
earliest recollection, resided il the same old
picturesque cottage, with slate-colored doors,
yellow blinds, long old fashioned front stoop,
with splendid row of blue painted dove houses
suspended against the wall and the whole
doves, doors and windows, sweetly shaded by
thick clustering hops and mock oranges, with
only an occasional opening for the sun. She
possessed one of the kindest hearts imagina-
ale. But as have heard that the like express
s;cn is frequently made by those young por-
tionless Misses, vino are in hopes of receiving
small jointure on their marriage day, from
some half crszed maiden aunt by dint of fiat
terys1 would just mention Gin order to clear
myself in the readers eye, of the charge OF
Sc Eshress) that nay own dear Pa is quite Gil
rard in point of wealth, and should make
choice to suit him, which calculate by all
means to do, shall be abundantly supplied
with this worlds goods, without resorting to
any measure toprocure them, save that being
q very obedient child. And now that have
given this explanation, can again boldly look
you In the face, and say with positive empha-
Is, that Aunt Aatty was one OF the kindest