The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-06-22
Peletiah Perritt's Cider.


Our misfortunes are sometimes angels in
disguise, but they are not always thus ap.
pareled. Tranquility under afi1iction cannot
be commanded in every event of life, how
ever necessary it may be on all occasions to
strive after that equanimity which becomes
a man or woman, no matter how severe the
present trial Of patience or fortitude. Listen
to the unhappy story of Peletiah, son of Or
rim X. Perritt, Of South Lttleton, as related
by himself
In the remembrance Of some sorrows,
whatever the duration of life, we never out
grow ourselves. Whenever attempt to re-
call the incidents.in my somewhat excep-
tional career, one particular day of my ex-
istence rises up before me, and will not be
forgotten, or even lightened of its burden of
pain. With shame and confusion look
back upon the past, for that one terrible day
of gloom overshadows my career and OBJ
scures the sunny hours which, in the course
of nature, come at intervals to every male
and female descendant of Adam. l can
think with calmness of many sad circum-
stances that have befallen my lot-circum-
stances full of peril and horror; but that
particular disaster to which l refer has
blotted out all feeling with regard to other
scenes that might, disconnected from my
grand catastrophe, have darkened life
time. Oh, that I had died young, while
yet stranger to public modification; q
modification to "unbrace the strongest
nerves and make the stoutest courage
quail"
The day Of my calamity, forty years ago,
dawned like many another day in ripe
October. The morning that ushered in the
Sunday on which was to suffer was one of
radiant lovelinesS, and, as l walked along
alone to our modest little house of worship
in the country, all the trees seemed hanging
out their banners of beauty. How well do
l recall the scene of surprising brilliancy
on that gorgeous autumn morningl had
started early, that l might move slowly
over the road, and, allured by the splendid
lights and shadows, made detour of over
mile beyond the church, in the direction
of beautiful hillside, on one of whose
slopes resided my fathers lifelong friend,
Colonel Bijsh Peabody, as he was univer-
sally denominated in that part of the coun-
try.
The colonel was standing by his garden
gate, enjoying the still security of that
peaceful Sunday morning. His pipe rested
between his lips and emitted only at inter-
walls gentle puff of smoke. Seeing me ap-
proach from the woody roadside, he looked
a hearty welcome, and exclaimed:
"Glad to see you, Peletiah. How's your
futher and all the folks at homer"
I answered this kind inquiry, and de-
clined his earnest invitation TO "walk in,"
as was hurrying to the meeting house for
the morning service.
"Well," said the old man, " the least you /,
can do is to take long couple of bottles of
my best cider to your father, who is laid up |
TO home with roomatizum."
Now, if there was one liquid in the world |
that father hankered after when he did not |
feel "exactly right" it was the colonel's
bottled cider in October, for he said, Pea
body's was better than his'n or anybody
else's cider in the whole country"
At first hesitated about taking along the
delectable fluid, for should have to convey
it in my coat-tail pockets to church with
me, and elude, as best might, the vigilant
eyes of Deacon Treadwell and old Miss
Patience Libby, both of whom sat in full
sight of our pew.
However, when the colonel, who saw my
reluctant response to his invitation, ex-
claimed, "Don't be proud, Peletiah p l hast
ily pocketed the cider, and, thinking of my
Iather's prospective delight at dnner-time,
moved with Alacrity over the hillside to
meeting.
The bell had ceased tolling when ar
rived at the door, but waited outside until
lfter the first prayer" and then gided
noiselessly on my toes to our family pew.
Ny brother and sister had taken their seats,
eaving my place unoccupied against my
arrival. Mother remained at home to keep
'ur dear old father company in his suffering,
md read the most comforting chapters in
he Bible to him during his worst
Daroxysms.
My long walk had predisposed me to
lumber, but l stood up as usual in sing
ng time" cutting in with full force when
We came to And that shall kindle ours"
n the proper place for the tenor voices. II