Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-07-11

wagon called by Quakers 'sleathern conXe-
nence," was brought out, and awayssthey
drove with the package of white lawn, which
was to be a present from the bride to her.
dear friend; on the seat between them.
Peter discoursed volub.y. Bessy answered
quietly. At last the wire bridge was crossed,
and Paramount lay before them. Soon they
neared Friend Ann's home
When this was in sight Bessy spoke:
Friend Peter, thee sees that white build
ing with green shutters?'
"Aye, verify do /.
''Thee will oblige me by taking this pack,
age and delivering it to friend Ann, with mE
good wishes. Meanwhile I will hold the
reins. [ do not wish to alight.
Friend Peter obediently took the package
and departed
He stayed ten minutes. wien h&eturn-
ed horse, wagon, and lady-loveYwere gone.-
He rushed about distractedly. LNoAone had
seen anything. Dobbin could we run
away. The earth might have yswal-
low them but there was no sig of such an
event Peter waddled home. They were NOT
there. The Quaker mother said
sBe not alarmed they will return soon ,
But the day passed with no sign. So did
Saturday. Then, though they were Quakers,
they were terrified
But at ten o'clock OF Saturday evening a
noise of wheels waseheard. Rushing out they
found she wagon, mulatto boy, and note
but no Bessy
In terrible anxiety they tore open the mis-
Sive. 1t was as follows:
Dear Parents and Respected Friend Peter:
I hope you have not been alarmed [ am
well, and hope this will find you the same.
Mother knows, presume, th at it would not
be easy to marry if one felt no call to do So
| had no call to be united to Friend Peter
had call to.marry John. There is no need
of the ceremony of passing meeting amongst
worlds people, SO | am already Friend Hub
bard.
1t will be satisfactory to me to know that
nobody is angry. I shall be read from meet
ing, of course. That expect. But, moth
er, thee knows thee married father when thee
knew he was Hicksite and thy folks Orthodox,
and there is not so much difference.
Suggest to friend Peter the worthy widow
Ann Billings as wife. She is a better
housewife than |. And let me know soon
that I may be forg given, for I ain in grief on
: account of your alarm and annoyance
Your loving daughter,
BEssY HUBBARD.
Friend Ephraim twisted his thumbs friend
Hannah folded her hands friend Peter open.
slowly . @ '''''''' "
At length Hannah said
Call thy mother, Ephraim.
And Epbriam brought the old lady down
stairs. Nobody said word.not ono. They
gave her the note. She read it, folded it, put
her spectacles on the table, and sat quiet
fifteen minutes, half an hour, an hour. Then
she arose and said:
81 have call to speak. When the prod
igal son returned the father killed the fatted
calf. Bcssy is naughty child; but verify
she desires forgiveness.
Let Hannah take leathern convenience
and fetch her and John home; and let Peter
pass meeting with Ann Billings, who is a
godly woman, and seems WE'LL"
!. Nobody made any answer Everybody a.
rose to do the old woman's bidding.
Ephrain got out the wagon; Hannah got
into it; Peter went away and in Quaker fash
ION popped the question to the widow, and on
the Sabbath passed meeting with her. And
Bessy and her husband came home that night
AS for the wedding, 20 one repented that,
tor John ]e' adopted plain language and clothes,
. went to meeting regularly, and in time became
partner in the cheese AID butter business.