Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-06
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THE WELL THE ROCK.

"Why, father, what's the matterwith YOU p
9elRachel Woolcoot asked this question. and
setaSsown 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 trousers of tow-cloth.
and he CROPPED his way like little child, or a
man suddenly struck blind
"Yes, father, what is the matter?" queried
the alarming voice of Mrs. Woolcoot, as she
ran out of the bed room where she was laying
out the weeks ironing.
81 guess Pm kinder shaky, wife. Won't
you bring me a cup of water-quick"
A moment later Mrs. WoOlcoot returned,
her mug filled to the brim with the clear Ii
quid, which her husband seized with his great
hands, but they shook so that he could hardly
convey it to his lips, while Rachel stood look
ing at her father in dismay.
''He says he was taken about an hour ago
in the field; it is fit, like" whispered the
girl to her mother.
"Mercy on us, how in the world did it
come on father?" cried the pale little woman,
and she peeped into the sunburnt but CHASTITY
face that now rested against the old oak chair.
''Father, you've run against some trouble"
Mrs. Woolcoots wifely heart could not be
deceived long
Don't don't, mother!'
The man put up his hand deprecatingly, a
great groan heaved up from his iron chest
Mrs. WOolcoot's face grew pale, as did her
daughters, but was only for a moment.-'Is
aac," she said, taking his great hand in both
OF hers, ''you know when you took me, a
young inexperienced thing, twenty three years
ago, with nOthin' but the pasture lot in Cows
Lane, to bring you for my portion, l promised
to stick to you, a true and loving wife, to the
day when death should part us. Il reckon |
have tried to do it, Isaac. We've had bright
times and some sorrowful ones since we've
walked the same road. but reckon the good
ones have outweighed t'other, and we've pull
ed together in all things, and never had hard
word or a hard thought for more than mint
agin each other. I've been the mother of
your children, of themthat's in heaven as well
as them that's on earth, and it's the first time,
Isaac Woolcoot, that you ever hid your heart
from me, or carried cloud in your breast
that your wife didn't share"
She was not much of talker, little Mrs
WOOlcOOt, but now her true womans heart
fired her lips with native eloquencc, as she
stood there still with tears in her eyes, and
the brave smile about her pale mouth
Farmer Woolcoot looked at his little wife
and for moment the man forgot everything,
little womans breast.
"Its true, Massa, every word you've said.
You've been the blessedest comfort and help
mate that ever man had; you've taken the
heaviest side of my burdens, and borne with
my faults, and I've felt have never deserved
such blessin' as you, any more'n frail NOR
tai man does an angel to walk by his side, and
it isn't for myself half as much as for you l
care; but it comes tough to give it up" And
the mans head sank down heavily
Got to give it up, what, father! Don't
hold it back any longer"
''Ihe old homestead, Massey, where you
and have lived so many years, and tried to
bring up our children in the fear of God"
''Our home, Father!'
Mrs. WoOlcoot cried the words out sharp
ly, as though there was great pain and amaze
ment in them.
'S' ''That's it, mother. Seth Rogers has got
hold Of an old deed of land which belonged to
his grandfather fifty years ago, and learned
it this afternoon for the first time. The or
chard and the old house itself, every timber
of which has the face of an old friend, will
have to 60"
go, what'll become of us all % said Rachel,
as she sank down and burst into tears. An
hour ago her heart had been like a country
full of fragrance and sweet songs, and far
reaching mountains of delight; and now the
mist has arisen from the sea and blurred out
all the goodly prospect, and the winds dashed
and the storms gathered over the young girls
life.
Mrs. Woolcoot took it quietly. The tears
ran over her faded cheeks as she moaned out,
40, it is hard, hard, father!'
''ThatS it, Massey, I'm gettin' past my prime
al. L,,.I.
new roof to shelter my head in old age. You
know with my rheumatic and the children's
sickness, and death and failures in the crops,
l never was forehanded."
Gle WON'T 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 elong-
ated in a look of solemn anxiety
''Not bit, daughter; Seth Rogers heart
is as hard as Pharaoh's."
''Well, Isaac, we must look to the Lord in
this great trouble; He is on our side, and that
is better than all that bad mans money"
''That't it, mother; them words of yourn
are amazing comforting to man in sorrow"
AT this moment cracked, tremulous voice
was heard at the door.
''What do you think l came across this
blessed day in the garrett"
''Why, granny, how did you ever get over
here? ?" they all exclaimed, as crooked and
withered old woman hobbled into the kitchen.
She carried a pipe in her mouth and a staff in
her hand, and wore an old brown silk bonnet
and blue gown of linsey woolsey.
es, it amt often | get down here, child
rem, but was so Illustrated l couldn't sleep
till telled you," painted old Mrs. Woolcoot,
as she sank down into the arm chair which
her son vacated for her own use.
1--WE are IN peck of trouble, granny" in
terposed Joseph, who was fond of delivering
news, whether good or bad.
"What's the matter, Isaac? Massv seems
to me you all look mighty struck down"
"You tell granny, MOTHER" and Mr.. Wool
coot turned to his wife.
The old woman leaned back in her char.
and listened to her daughter in laws sad sto-
ry, while an occasional wreath of smoke curl
ed up slowly from her pipe, and,tears ran over
her withered cheeks.
When Mrs. Woolcoot ceased, her mother
took her pipe out of her mouth, laid it care
fully in her lap, and clasping her wrinked
hands together, sat still, evidently in deep
thought. She shook her head frequently, and
at last she bowed it as though she had settled
some purpose in her own mind, and then she
turned to her son and said:
"Im sorry for you Isaac, for know that il
will come like death on you to give up the ole
homestead, and am sorrier for Massey, for q
woman's heart clings closer than mans tc
the spot where she's lived ever since her hus
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