The Portland daily press., 1875-01-02
One Little Puritan.

before Sne was DOfn. DIE iOuuu IL AIMING
relics of old colony days. The sunbeams OF
morning long past fiickered through the gar
ret cobwebs onto her and over the then mus
ty worm-eaten treasures. Out of the leaves
of journal of Puritan times, she read page
after page which seemed to fill the air about
her as with the faint, sweet fragrance OF
passed wild roses. My grandmother is to me,
in turn, a memoir Of antiquity, yet the little
journal has not quite crumbled into dust
there is left to it yet suggestion of odor and
of color. Only if you put it by story OF to-
dav, it will be like the ghost of a white violet
in the presence of a heavy-breathed blood red
tulip.
Hope ALLERTIoN's DIURNAL.
Southampton August 9Th, 1920. All things
being made ready, we shall, by the good
providence of God, set sail to-day. 1t is mat
ter of much sadness to Aunt Priscilla, as also
unto myself, that sundry of our near friends
are in the lesser ship. We have, however,
great hope that both ships shall sail unto a
pleasaD: country; and that we shall salute our
friends upon dry land once more. My thoughts
go back to those we left at Delft Haven and
at Amsterdam, and my heart is heavy tn at
shall no more look upon their faces. Philip
Mather hath talked much with me of late. l
find it not wise to think too long upon his
words, for that they cause me distraction OF
mind, albeit there is certain sweetness in
the recollecting of them. He saith that he
shall sorrow for my departure, yet he asketh
me not to stay, neither doth he make as if he
would himself 60. have need to pray more,
for find within me movements OF vain
pride. 1t pleaseth me overmuch that Master
Philip hath likened my fearful eyes to the
blue heart's-ease with the dew thereon.
August 10th. 1t was cause for great sur
prise to me to find that of truth Philip
Mather was to sail with us yet when found
him of our company made little mention OF
my thoughts; only have said unto Prudence
Tinker certain sharp words that trouble me
to remember, the more not only because they
were not kind. but that there was therein a
shadow of an untruth.
She said sTel me, I pray thee, why, at
the last, Master Mather hath come with us %
81 kno,u not" answered, for I liked not
her black eyes TO so look through me. Gam
nv brothers keeper?" I have sinned in
the letter by perverting the words OF the Holy
Scripture; also in the spirit by allowing anger
entrance into my soul. 1t was meet that
Prudence Tinker should humble me by the
answer: "Nay, lay, Hope! trow it is not
at all as thy brother thou desirest to keep
him."
Prudence Tinker hath an handsome coun-
tenance, and many times her words are
smoother than butter; yet feel not drawn
out unto her in my affections.
August Goth. Aunt Priscilla watcheth ov-
er me and have no need offather or mother
care. To be right truthful, could wish she
guarded me not so strictly. From daybreak
even unto the going. down OF the sun, she
letteth me not out of her sight. l am now
again Joyful in my spirit. mourn not, mel
Their do greatly miss the friends left behind
me. had thought TO be weighed down with
heaviness upon their account. made men,
ton of this to Philip last night, as for a mo-
ment 1 met him on the deck. He was
pleased, wherefore l know not; moreover, he
said: .'Peradyenture thou broughtest thy
best friends with thee" I thought of Aunt
and also for that did expect she must in a
moment appear, as most assuredly she did
and looked not lovingly upon me either. She
reproacheth me for lght-headedness in so
talking to Master Mather-yet l have her
word that she disliketh him not.
Cape Cod, November 18th, 1920. After
long beating at sea, we have fell in with the
land called "Cape Cod" Philip Mather
saith it is so called as they take much fish.
We are not a little joyful at having come safe
to land, as our ships did meet with many bad
winds. ard in places did leak, which put us
to great fear. Outlines we did cry on; like
Peter: lord save, or we perish" Also
MANY of us were in a bad state by reason OF
boisterous storms which caused our inward
parts to heave and toss like the very waves oil
the sea, always filling our mouths with bitter
ness.
December 9th, 1920. 1t is decided that di-
vers of our number go to seek out fair
place for situation. Prudence Tinker made
relation to Aunt Priscilla that Robert Coppin
the pilot had knowledge OF a good harbor
eight leagues distant.
1921. April goth. Philip Mather hath
gone with Squanto and sundry of our people
to plant the corn. This morning had con-
versation with Peleg Bruster. His heart
seems greatly turned TO Molly Tabor, for the
which Prudence Tinker hath much grief, as
she had thoughts of him herself-at least
Aunt Priscilla doth say as much. 1 once had
a thought that Prudence looked upon Philip
Mather with favor, and this displeased me,
for that think they would not walk togeth-
er in unity. Prudence hath a bold spirit, land
Philip is not like unto other men, in that he
is finer in his inward nature, it it be that l
discern him Alright. have sorrow for Pru-
dence now, and shall strive to be softer
comforter unto her than Aunt Priscilla, who,
as ever, thinketh she hath good understand
ing of the whole matter. When we were
gathering fagots this morning, she gave Pru-
dence counsel to this effect: that she should
set her affections upon things above. much
fear Prudence was not soothed in the spirit,
for she muttered unto herself that certain
do well to keep other Scripture in mind that
which saith, 'Study to be quiet and to do
your own business"
May 18th. Philip hath given unto me a
ring which he saith is long in his family. 1t
has three blue stones, with small diamond
h the ceutre. 1t is like unto the forget me-
not. The inside of the ring hath small
locket wherein to put hair. 1t came about in
this wise: My spinning for the day being at
an end, was minded to 60 a little way into
the woods; for although Aunt Priscilla doth
warn me of danger, / can not think harm
will befall me, l like much the thunder of
the sea, and the roar of the wind in the tree
tops, which roaring also resembleth the noise
of waters. But this night at sunset there
was no tumult, and I remembered me of
wondrous chapters in the Revelation; for
saw upon earth and ocean light like as Of
glory. / sat me down to rest, being aweary
with much climbing over rocks and down fall
en- trees, for to pluck these fair little blossoms
which spring never brought to us at home. A
moment after, I was sore smitten with fear,
for behind me one lightly rustled in the thick
leaves and broke twigs under his feet !;
when no wild creature or saw
adventure Aunt Priscilla would say 1 made
rnmaidenly show of pleasure at his company.
He sat himself down beside me and we had
no need for speech whilst the first bright
ness faded off from the waves. In truth, it
was very like heaven unto me. After a
time he laid his hand upon mine and said ::
81 love thee, Hope Allerton, and desire thee
for my WIFE," What more he said there is no
use that 1 write; shall not forget it.
The manuscript is here so mutated that
much of it is illegib!e. We gather from it,
however, that sympathizing with Prudence
Tinker in her dependency, Hope entreats
Philip Mather ''to have pleasant converse
ton with her, and speak unto her wise
words of comfort" The next date of inter
est is
June Sd. Prudence Tinker hath strange
spirit! Aunt Priscilla made relation of her
behavior in this manner: "Yesternight, as
Philip walked with you down the path TO the
wood, took the Scriptures and sat me
down upon the door-stone to read. 4 little
time thereafter l lifted up my eyes and be-
held Prudence Tinker, with bunch of blue
posies in her nand; she stood under the big
elm and gazed after you. / called unto the
young woman, and made inquiry had she
planted herself there and did she think to
take root? Her countenance was not pleas
ont IN look IInon sO for her greater case I