The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-10-25
THE QUAKER WIDOW.
By BAYARD TAYLOR,

W huullhihS TOunQ lne lllaCS ana through the
apple trees.
think he loved the Spring not that he cared
for flowers; most meh
Think such things foolishness-but we were
first acquainted then,
One Spring: the next he spoke his mind the
third was his wife,
And in the Spring (it happened so our chill
dren entered life.
He was but seventy-fvc; did not think to
lay him yet
In kennett graveyard, where at Monthly Meet
ing first we met.
The Fathers mercy shows in this It's better
Picked out to bear the heavy cross-alone in
age-than he.
We've lived together fifty years it seems but
one long day,
One quiet Sabbath of the heart, till he was
called away;
And as we bring from Meeting time a sweet
cOntentment home,
So, Hannah, have store Of peace for all the
days that come.
VI.
l mind (for can tell thee now) how hard it
was to know
If had heard the spirit right, that told me
should go;
For father had a deep concern upon his mind
that day,
But mother spoke for Benjamin-she knew
what best to say.
Then she was still they sat awhile at last
she spoke again,
/" The Lord incline thee to the right /" and
thou shalt have him, Jane !"
Ny father said. l cried. Indeed, twas not
the least of shocks,
For Benjamin was Hi3ksite, and father Or
thodox.
thought of this ten years ago, when daugh-
ter Ruth we lost;
Her husbands of the world, and yet ! coult
not see her crossed.
She wears, thee knows, the gayest gowns, she
hears hire.ing priest
All. dear the cross was ours =; her life,s hap
py one, at least.
Perhaps she'll wear palmer dress when she's
as old as i
Would thee believe it, Hannah ? once felt
temptation nigh
My wedding gown was ashen silk, too simple
for my taste;
wanted lace around the neck, and ribbon
at the waist.
How strange it seemed to sit with him upon
the women s side
| did not dare to lift my eyes felt more fear
than pride,
Till, lin the presence Of the Lord" he said,
and then there came
A holy strength upon my heart, and could
say the same.
XT.
used to blush when he came near, but then
| showed no sign;
With all the meeting looking on, held his
hand in mine.
1t seemed my bashfuIness was gone, now l
was his for life;
Thee knows the feeling, ,Hannah-thee too hast
been a wife.
XII.
As home we rode, saw no fields look halfso
green as ours
The woods were coming into leaf, the mead
ows full of flowers
The neighhors met US in the lane, and every
face was kind
Tis strange how lively everything comes back
upon my mind.
X[TI
I see. as plain as thee sits there, the weddiug
dinner spread;
At our own table we were guests, with father
at the head
And Dinah Passmore helped us both.-'twas
she stood up with me,
And Abner jones with Benjamin, and now
they're gone, all three.
It is not right to wish for death the Lord dis
poses best
HIS Spirit comes to quiet hearts, and fits them
for His rest;
And that He halved our little flock was mer-
ciful, see:
For Benjamin has two in heaven, and two are
left with me.
KY.
Ensebins never cared to farm-'twss not his
call; In TRUTH
And | must rent the dear old place, and go to
daughter Ruth.
Thee'n say her ways are not like mine-young
people nowadays
Have sadly fallen off, think, from all the
good old ways.
But Ruth is still Friend at heart she keeps
the simple tongue,
The cheerful, kindly nature, we loved whep