Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-03-22
The Well in the Rock.

why, father, what IS the matter with yOn!'
Rachel WOolcoOt asked this question, and
Get down the large loaf of rye bread from which
she was cutting some slices for supper.
The father came into the loom, the large,
stalWart man, in his farmers trOwHeTs Of tOR~
cloth, and he CROPPED like little child, or man
suddenly struck blind
yes, father, what is the malterp queried the
alarming voice of Mrs. Woolcoot, % she ran
out Of the bedroom, where she was Just laying
away the weeks ironing. I
4 guess I'm kinder shaky, wife. Wont you
bring me cup Of water -9uick!'
A moment later Mrs. WoolcoOt returned,
her mug filed to the brim with the clear liquid,
which her husband seized in his great hands.
but they shook so that he could hardly convey
il to his lips, while Rachel stood by, looking at
her father in dismay.
He says he was taken about an hour ago,
in the ields; it's fl, like whispered the girl
to her mother.
Mercy on US! how in the world did it come
on, fatherl' cried the pale little woman; and she
peered into the sunburnt but ghastly face that
now rested against the old oak chair. Father,
you've run against some troubled
Mrs WOolcoot's Wifely heart could not be
deceived long.
- -
The man put up his hand deprecatingly,
but great grOaR heaved up from his iron
chest.
Mrs WOOlcOOt's face grew pale, as did her
daughters, but it wss only for q moment
She bowed down under the unknown blow
which had prostrsted her husband. Isaac,
she said taking his great hand in both Of hers,
HyOu know when you took me, young, in
experienced thing, twenty three years ago, with
nothin' but the little Pastur lot in Cows Lane
to bring you for my portion, promised to stick
to you, g true and loyin' wife, to the day when
death should part US. / reckon i have tried
to do it, Isaac. We've had bright times and
sorrowful uns since we've walked the same
road but reckon the good uns have out
weighed t'other, and we've pulled together in
all things, and never had hard word or a
hard thought for more than q mint ag'in each
other. I've been the mother Of your children,
of them that's in heaven as we'll as them that's
on earth, and it's the first time, Isaac Woolcoot,
that you ever hid your heart from me, or car
ried 3 cloud in your breast which our wife
didn't share
She was not much of talker, little Mrs.
WOolcoot but now her true WOman's heart fired
her lips with native elOquence, as she stood
there with the still tears in her eyes and the
brave smile about her pale mouth.
Farmer WoolcOot looked at his wife, and for
a 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 a man had; you've taken the
heaviest side of my burdens, and borne with
my faults, and I've allus felt l never deserved
] Il F-ai1
tai man does an angel to walk by his side; and
care: but it comes tough to give it up And
the mans head sank down heavily.
Got to give up what, father! Don't hold il
back any longer
The old homestead, Massy, where you and
have lived so many years, and tried to bring up
our children in the fear Of Cod
Our home, fstheTl
Mrs. WoolcoOt cried the words out sharply,
as though there dwet great pain and amaze
ment in them.
That's it, mother. Seth Rogers has got
hold Of an old deed OF land, which belonged N
his grandfather about fifty years ago, and
learned it this afternoon for the first time
The orchard, and the old house itself, every
timber of which has the face Of an old friend,
will have to GO
%, what'll become of US alp cried Rachel,
and she sank down and burst into tears. An
hour ago her heart had been like country full
OF fragrance and sweet songs, and far reaching
mountains Of delight; and now the miSts had
arisen from the sea and blurred out all the
| goOdly 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,
| %, It iS hard, so hard, fstterl'
That's it, Massey. am Rettiu'F past nv
prime now, and I've little hope of ever builds
| in new roof to shelter my head in its old age
/ You know what with my rheumatia, and the
children's sickness, and deaths, and failures in
the crops, never was fore handed
He won't show US any maIsy, viii he, faith.
err would in the soft, broken voice of Rachel
while Joseph stood by twisting his fingers
together, his rubicund visage elongated in a
look Of solemn anxiety.
Not bit, daughter; Seth Rogers heart is al
hard IS Pharaoh's.'
We'll, Isaac, We mp-t look to the Lord II
this great trouble; he's on our side, and that II
better than al that badman's money
'IhaSsit, mother; them words Of yO1Fn an
amazing comforting to man in sorrOw.'
At this moment a cracked, tremulous FoicI
was heard at the door.
'What do you think come aeross this bles
sed day up in my garrett