Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-07-28
4 Centennial Romance.

thusiastic couutrYmen, 10 submit nitle
sketch Of ccHtenniai romance, which found
room, budded and blossomed, in the heart Of
one of Massachusetts, earliest governors,
proving that no matter how full and earnest
may be the purpose that inspires the heart
and life of the most Jealous, the tiny god y
can ever find room TO set up his banner, on
which Ia transcribed in letters Of light,
" I'eni, ridi, rici."
William Bradford who became second
governor Of Massachusetts,, after the melau-
choly death OF Governor Carver (who soon
slept by the side Of his wife and only child),
was born at Ansterfield, Yorkshire, England,
March, 1855. His father and mother died
when he was quite young. He was tenderly
cared for by his grandparents, and subse-
quently by an uncle. His family was among
the yeomanry Of England, and very respect
able. lie was reared TO agriculture. When
quite ycung he assumed the care Of his own
landed estates, and enjoyed his occupation
in eultivatirg and Identifying them and,
though much of his time he was busy with
his mon in the field, he still found opportu-
nifty 10 be quite student. lie became pro
ficieut in the Latin, Greek and Hebrew Ian
guages, and was familiar with the German
and French, which he spoke iluently. He
had embraced the faith Of the Purtans, and
at seventeen years of age was one of the
company who made an effort 10 escape to
Holland in search of religious liberty, but
was unsuccessful having been betrayed, and
was, for a season, confined in the prison at
Boston, Lincolnshire, (from which the city
OF Bostos received its name). But though
religion and other momentous subjects
claimed his attention and seemed TO engross
all his mind there was one, less grave but
not less potent, that permeated his whole
being, and gave TO his life a halo of bright
ness. Love had taken possession of the
heart Of Young Bradford; and often when
he seemed most engrosscd in his books, the
golden curls and soft blue eyes Of Alice Car
penter were all he saw. His lands joined to
her fathers, and they had been playmates
and companions in childhood, he being but
a few years her senior. As time passed
rapidly away and she grew into womanhood,
her sunny curls turning TO a soft chestnut
brown she only became to the earnest,
honest heart of William Bradford more dear
and more beautiful; and yet he said nothing
to her Of the deep and earnest passion which
he never forgot, even in his sleep, till one
evening in autumn they had been enjoying a
long and pleasant conversation, leaning over
the hedge that divided their lands, when
Alice told him she was soon to go TO London
to reside with a relative. This was a very
sad announcement to him.
The Carpenter family had in former time
received the title of knighthood, but they
were comparatively poor, and William de
termined to know his fate and ask Alice OF
her naughty old father, hoping his owl
worth and broad lands might induce tn,
father TO accept him as suitable match foi
his portionless daughter. But he was mis-
taken. lie had never before had occasion L
fathom the pride OF the strange old man
| His religious belief alone would have been
sufficient barrier, had there been no Other
and he was haughtily dismissed. There wa
last sad meeting OF the lovers across tn
hedge that night, and the moon looked dow
| on two heavy hearts and two fearful faces a
they both turned to their homcs-the one Il
wet the pillow with her tears the other t.
walk his room in bitter repinings at the fate
which seemed to be settling on bis life in
clouds and thick darkness forgetting for the
time to listen to the still small voice which
was whispering, Come unto me all ye that
are heavy laden, and will give you rest"
Alice was hurried off TO London, and aftel
a few years was married to Mr.. Southworth
man of wealth and honor Mr.. Bradford
sought alienation from his disappointment
in his books and farm, and subsequently
married Dorothy May, woman Of his Owl
rank and persuasion, who proved a genia
and faithful companion. After a few years
we find them abandoning their pleasant
home for he was one Of the first advocates
for the removal of the little band of Puritan'
TO America; and next we see them upon the
tempestuous ocean, in the cabin of the May
flower. After arriving in Cape Cod harbor
Mr. Bradford set out with small party t.
explore the coast, and on returning wa
panied and afflicted to find that during hi
absence his wife, Dorothy had fallen from
the ship and was drowned. He deeply
mourned her loss, for she had proven a gooc
wife, and they were mutually attached. H'
bore this second disappointment OF his lif,
with Christian fortitude. lie had no leisnr,
to sit and brood over his grief, for life will
him was now warfare with cold ant
hunger, for he shared in all that the colonist
suffered.
! Mr.. Bradford was now over thirty years o
age, "A man OF rare piety and dignity OF man
ner; and when, fow months after their Al
rival, Governor Carver died, he was electe'
Governor of the little colony position h
ably filled for more than thirty years. AM
while with fatherly care he tenderly watche'
all the interests of the little colony, ther
was a blank in his household, and none kne'
better than himself how he realized thence
Of woman's ready sympathy, and he wa
often annoyed at his own inability to kee
his thoughts from wandering across tn
"deep blue sea-" The love he had che
ished for Alice had never died out Of hi
heart. True. ithad been sleeping, and Will
the husband of another, had never wishe
himself other than what he was but no.
that they were both free-for Alice too, wa
left alone. having lost her husbapd--ho ofte
said 10 himself. 9 wonder if she remember
the lover of her youth !? and even il she di,
would she not think IL too great sacrifc
Ia share his fortunes in the wilderness 2"
Men are not like women, and will wait
lifetime without knowing their fate, whe
II can be decided by a single word. So
resolyed 10 write and ask Alice. and in ii
snrino of 1923 the letter was sent across Il
} Atlantic. lie faithfully set before her a
the INVITATIONS and sacrifices she would |
called upon 10 endure, saving, as an equiv
liant for this. that he had only the love of q
honest heart to offer her. and requested he
II She Thought fayorably of his propasal,
take massage in the first shin that would sa
for America. as he was too occupied TO con
: IN Encland for her. fearing the colony migl
suffer during his absence.
Time always go heayy-fooied TO the wal
Ina, nassed sloulv 10 tbe Governor. but lat