Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-03-16
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The Puritan Of 1868.
A STORY WORTH READING.

1t was in the early part of October, -
that the Rev. Mr.. Allan started to walk to
Farmer Ovens over the hills. He had tC
cross two low spurs on the Green Mount
aims. aud as he climed to the top0f the sec
ond the rich valley of the Otter Creek lay
spread out before hun. AT any other time
he would have stopped to admire its gen
tie undulations; its great flower garden OF
forest trees, riellin every color and hue ;
its silver threads winding their way to the
waters of the Champlain, and the glorious
autumn light which lay like a golden man
tie over them all Bat this afternoon he
seemed oppressed by the beauty which sur
rounded him. He looked upon it with eyes
misty from tears There was Il dull, heavy
weight upon his hcart-a weight which cv-
on the low, feryeut prayers that he had ut
tered so increasingly since noon. had failed
to move. Between him and that landscape
we might almost say, between him and the
mercy seat. there moved slight, tall boy,
with laughing blue eye, clustering brown
hair, ana lips ALWAYS ready with merry
pleasant word. To day, there was Bcnnle,
nutting under the fare, brawny arms oI
the huttcrnut tree; throwing his line into
the little brooks, that came bahlng down
from the steep mountain side driving his
COWS along the narrow lootpath standing
with Blossom under the bright maple, and
shouting with pride and joy as she wreath
ed her pretty face in the gay leaves.
"Oh. Bonnie Bennic!" Mr. Allan
hardly knew he was calling the name. nm
I'll il came back to him with such an empty
mucking sound, from the heartless echo
"almost Mr.. Allan thought, startling
himself hy the seeming lnpiety OF the
words-'a almost as il there were no great
kind Father over us all.
As he came near Father Owens house
he saw his oxen yolied to the plough, He
knew they had been there since the tcle
graph came. Mr.. Owen had read it i'll tn,
field, had gone to the house and forgotten
them, and 10 one had dared to put then
up. He was man fully capable of tax
ing care of his own affairs under any cir
cumstanccs. never having been known be
fore to forget
Mr. Allan beckoncd to an Irishnan wh'
WAS passing, and asked him to take carr
of them. The man came with an awe'
look upon his face, as II even there lie stoot
| in tl;e presence OF great sorrow, and with
out the least noise 0beyed.
Mr.. Allan walked on slowly toward th'
house. lie had kuoWt Mr. Owen for ma
nv year, and he kGow him well. Indeed
there was peculiar bond of sympathy be
tween the two men. in all his large par
ish, there was not one upon whom the min
ister relied 9s he did upon this strong, stur
dy farmer Many and many an hour h
had walled by his side when he was up
turning the brown earth, and discourse,
with him on topics which would have sound
Cd harsh and repulsive to common ears
! but which were fraught with deep and vi
| tai interest 10 them. Mr.. Owen was Il di
rect descendent Of the Puritans, and every
| drop OF blood in his veins was tinged will
as strong and true "blue," as If he him
self had landed in the Maytlower. IL
| took naturally to the sterncr doctrines o
/ religion, while Mr. Allan, rersed in all tn
modern lore, questioned and doubted
| The keystone of Mr.. Owens theology wa
/ the sovereignty of God:-"Shall not tn
Judge of all tho earth do right !" Thi
was the man upon whom God had nov
laid his hand so heasily; and Mr.. Allai
! felt that il the trial brought no murmur, NJ
! TtDtIllDH against tHdl 'ooNcitlSi, tic SUI
old faith were indeed n rich one in Wticl
10 live and die. lie knew one element il
this war was Puritan. Sons of the Round
heads filled up the ranks of the Northern
army. They marched to battle to strain
of the old tunes that fingered III the nurse
" and sanctuary from the day that Crom
ge,l aud his soldiers chanted them OF
Marston Moor. All down the aisles o
Time came tramping to the music maile,
men. bearing on their shields the two word
Liberty and Equality. They trembled OF
Mr.. Owens lips with his parting blessing
to his boy. Would he remember them
and would they comfort and give hin
strength nol0
Where there is afllietion in house. tn
minister is at home. Mr.. Allan entere'
without knocking, and made his way to tn
large, old fashioned kitchen in which h
was sure of finding the family.
There, by u table, with his folded arm
laid heavily upon it. sat Mr.. Owen. Iii
wife was in "a small rocking chair by th
fire, and Blossom, young girl, sat between
them.
Mr.. Owen rose to welcome HIM; so di,
Blossom but the wife did not notice him
she sat still, rocking herself to and fro
looking at the blazing wood.
Mr. Allan put a hand in the brawny on
that was held out toward him, and laid III
other on Mr. Ovens great heaving breast
My friend" he said, chow is it with tn
/