Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-10-07
THE WELL IN THE ROCK.

Rachel woolcoot asked this question. and set
down the large loaf Of rye bread from which
she was cutting some slices for supper.
The father came into the room, the large,
stalwart man, IN his working trewsers Of tow
-eioth, and he groped like a little child, or a
nan suddenly struck blind
~ esi father, what Is the matter ?" qperied
the alarming voice Of Mrs Woolcoot, ss she
rsa out OF the bedroom where she was just
laying away the weeks ironing.
II guess I'm kinder shaky, wife. Won't
you bring me cup Of water-quick ~ . --
moment later Mrs. Woolcoot returned
her mug filed to the brm with clear elaret,
wbfch her husband seized in his great hands
but they shook so that be could hardly convey
Il to his lips, while Rachel stood by, looking at
her father in dismay. : =
"Ho says he was aken about an hour ago in
the field It's fit Likes" whispered the girl to
Mercy on us. how IL, the world did IL come
on. father !'' cried the pale little woman, and
she Peered into the sunburnt but CHASTITY face
that now rested against the old oak chair.
Father, you've run against some trouble ~
. Mrs WoOlcOot's wifely heart could not be
deceived long - . IF. -,
Don't, don't, mother
The man put up his hand deprecatipgly, but
great grosn heaved up from his iron chest.
Mrs Woolcoot's face grew pale, as did her
daughters, but it was only for n moment.
''Isaac," she said, taking his hands in both of
hers, you know when you took me, young,
inexperienced thing, twenty-three years ago
with nOthin' but the pastur' lot in Cows lane
TO bring you for my portion, promised to stick
70 you, true and loyin' wife, to the day when
death should part us. / reckon / have tried
to do it, Isaac. We've had bright times and
sorrowful uns since we've walked the same
road, but L reckon the good uns have out
weighei tother, and we've pulled together in
all things, and never had q hard word or a
hsrd thought Tor more than mint agin each
other I've been the mother Of your children,
Of them that's in heaven as well as them that 8
on earth, and it's the first time, Isaac Wool
coot, that you ever hid your heart from me, or
carried cloud in your breast which your wife
didn't share +"
She was not so much Of a talker, little Mrs.
IN oolcoot, but now her true woman's heart
fired her lips with native eloquence as she
stood there with the still tears in her ewes and
the brave smile about her pale mouth.
Farmer Mooleoot looked at his wife, and for
moment the man forgot everything but the
. true heart which beat for him in that little
wOman's breast.
It's true, Massy, every word you've said
You've been the blessedest comfort and help
meet that ever n IN had; you've taken the
heaviest side Of my burdens, and borne with
my faults, and I've allus felt never deserved
= such blessin' rs you, any more q frail NOR
tai man does an angel to walk by his side; and
-St isn't for myself half as much as for YOU +
care; but it comes tough to give il up - And
the man head sank down heavily.
Got to give up what, father Don't hold
IL back any longer" -st - I
- The old homestead, Massy, where Won and
have lived so many years. and tried to bring
up eur children in the fear of God
"0ur home, father IN 51 f1TT
Mrs. WooleOot cried the words out sharply
as though there dwelt great pain and amare-
ment in them.
,,o.bo- Gal
hold Of an old deed of land, which belonged to
his grandfather about fifty years ago, and
learned n this afternoon for the first time
The orchard, and the old house itself, eycry
>, timber OF which has the face Of an old friend
will have to 60"
.'0h, whatlI become Of US aIl1'i cried acbel.
= and she sank down and burst into tears. An
hour ago her heart had been like a country full
OF fragrance and sweet songs and ar-reacbing
mountains of delight; and now the mists had
arisen from tho sea and blur ed out all the good
Iy prospects, and the winds lashed and the
storm gathered over the young girls life
Mrs. WOOlcoot took it quietly. The tears ran
over her faded cheeks, as she moaned OUT
ssz ''Oh, it is hard-so hard, fsther.''
.7isfl. That's il, Massy. L am gettin' past nv
prime now, and I've little hope of ever buildini
new roof to shelter my head in its old age
You know, what with my rheumatis, and the
children's sickness and deaths, and failures in
1. the crops, never was forehanded "
He wont show Us any mercy. will he
father wound IN the soft, broken voice of
Rachel; while Joseph stood by, twisting his
fingers together, his rubicund visage elongated
In look Of solemn nxiety.
Not BIT, daughter Seth Rogers's heart i,
as hard rs Pharaoh - 80 =
-"Well, Isaac, we must look to the Lord In
this great trouble; he's ON our side, and that i.
better than all that bad ma, IS money"
That's ii, mother; them words of yourn are
amazing comforting 70 man in sorrow.,'
AT this moment cracked, tremulous voice
s,was heard at the door.
What do you think I came across this
blessed day, up in the garrett"
why, granny, no" did you get over here9''
they all exclaimed, rs a crooked uithered old
woman hobbled into the kitchen, She carried
"a pipe in her mouth, staff in her hand. and
wore an old brown silk bonnet, and a blue
gown Of hnsey roolsey. 3h4 -
.'Yes, it ain toften get down here, children,
bat L was so frustrated 1 couldn't sleep till /
telled you," painted old Mrs. Woolcoot, as sh :
sank down into the armchair, which her son
vacated for her own use. ~ =
80 = We are in peck Of trouble, granny" in
terPosed Joseph, who was very fond of de:iy-
ering news, whether good or bad.
r.. !" hats the matter, Isaac Massy seem,
TO me you all do look mighty struck down.
us -. You tell granny, mother" And Mr.. Wool.
q eset turned 20 his wife 80 >. -. :
Ir1eThe old woman leaned back in her chair
and listened TO her rdaughter-in-law's sad story,
while an occasional wreath Of smoke curled .
slowly from he r pipe, and the tears ran over
her withcrcd leeks = = =
When Mrs. Noolcoot ceased her mother took
her pipe out Of her mouth, laid it carefully In
her lap, and clasping her wrinkled hands to-
gether sat still, evidently lost in deep thought.
u she shook Der head frequently, and at iast sbe
bowed Il rs though she had settled some ON r.
poseAin her own mind, and then she turned N
4 her sbn, and said: .-s- ID IEI-'-T =
Pm sorry for you, Isaac for L know len
> cone like death on. yOu to give up ths old
homestead, and I'm sorrier ior Massy. for A
wOnlan's heart clirgs tighter than mans to
the spot where shss lived ever since her hus
band brought her. young, inexperienced gal,
TO his home. I'm sorry for you all, children,
put I've nothing 20 offer you but the little red
house your grandfather built on the land the
's~n give him when he fought the Indians 80
-oraTely at Neck Bridge-ff wust comes to
Wqs,, you can take that, with the two strips of
medder land and the pasture Iot.Y .',nsfs 2
guess Wen have to turn in there o little
while, mother, answered her son, /" leastwise
I'LL the Lord shows Us where 10 turn about, Tor