The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-10-29
Gtmperante
A Romance Of the Granite State---A
Strange Narrative.
BY REV. j. 3. coeswnLL, A. M.

Before were by frosts extremitie
The sweetness and tle pr praise were thine'
Which in thy garland should hl were mine
ee M s" Iit sSSa9 sGo Environments"
Women all have, or may have, opportuni-
ties for usefulness in their lives. The Chris
tian religion has placed women in higher
spheres of labor than former generations as
signed to them AS the centuries pass there
Ia still found wider range of occupations
for women. Progress is the law of knowl-
edge and Christian experience. Eva, An
nette and Ellen, were the brave and hope
full sisters of our hero, William Forest. Each
had her characteristics of mind and general
aptitude. The oldest was tall, large and
muscular She was active in her daily en-
ployment, and had an earnest matter-of-
fact way that at once convinced one that she
was no idier or tritier. AT school she was
noted for her strong memory She could
master more general history and repeat it
clearly to her teacher, than any other scholar
at school. She borrowed of her pastor
" PrideauXs History of the Times between
the Old Testament and New Testament Dis
pensations." This book she read carefully.
She was now sixteen years of age. When
she returned the book, DIR. Parish asked her
If she had read the book through. She then
gave an outline of this great work which
even Biblical scholars and learned divines
have passed over with little attention. 1t
was as pleasing as it was surprising to Dr.
Parish to hear so much of this history re-
peated. She also evinced an understanding
as well as knowledge of what she was repeat
ing On inquiry, she said My method is to
read from thirty to fifty pages at a time;
then | write off upon paper the general facts
of my reading. In my duties of the day
find time to think over what ] have read.
When l cannot recall what | have read, l
refer to my notes which | keep upon the
mantel-piece, so as to be handy to consult.
In this way | master what desire to re-
member" Why!" exclaimed DR.. Parish,
"you are quite philosopher"
AS Eva was the oldest of the sisters, she
often had the care and oversight of the other
children. She aided her mother in all house
hold duties. Her strong arm was often
needed in outdoor affairs on the farm. Her
general good Judgment was often needed in
the home, and also by the neighbors, in any
difficult or benevolent labors. When she
arrived at twenty-five years of age, it was
reported that Deacon John Jones had often
spoken words in her praise. Now this Dea-
con Jones was young widower, having
lost his wife a few years prior to the time
of which | now write He used to look
across the church at times at her, if accounts
can be relied upon which .gossipy people
were fond of relating. And also when he
went by her residence he often paused and
looked at the flowers in the front yard, as if
he were fond of flowers; when certain old
maids said that they just knew that Deacon
Jones was not so very fond of flowers!
When Miss Eva accidentally came out and
spoke a few words with the deacon, he al
most forgot that he had started for his mail,
and that he had no intentions of stopping to
converse with any one. But the deacon soon
found that Miss Eva was about,-yeS the
most suitable person in all the world to
become his wife. After a courtship of about
two years. Qhey formerly took time for
cOurtship, and then married for life) the
worthy couple were formally published in
the church. The town clerk rose up one
Sunday after the sermon, and with voice
of Stentor, said, " Deacon John Jones and
Miss Eva Forest intend marriageH' At this
the young people looked pleased and the
old maids instinctively put their hands up
to adjust their false curs, and then they all
left the church with much decOrum of man.
ner In due time the couple were married.
All the people of the town said, THAT is
good match; the deacon has obtained a
good wife, And such she proved to be.
Dr. Parish had warm supporter and an
efficient helper i'll Deacon Jones wife. She
was long remembered in that community
for her abundant labors in every Christian
enterprise.
Annette Forest became a school-teacher.
She was very quick to learn, and had fond
ness for instructing the children placed un
der her care She was accustomed to teach
summer months only, as it was the Gus
tom to have male teachers to teach and floe
the scholars in the winter. The schools were
short and the scholars We're small, as the
older ones were retained at home for theil
labor in the field or the kitchen But not
school and the times in which she lived
Annette was a noble teacher, and far aheaC
of the generation to which she belonged
Her methods had not then become as com
mon as now. She had blackboard anC
taught the pupils to draw maps of the New
England States She had method of teach
ing by object lessons which won the favor o
both scholars and parents. Indeed her pu
pills had clear idea of whatever she laugh
them, and could explain things far bette
than scholars
few years spent in teaching the summe
schools, she opened a select school in TIL
the next town, which she taught for tv
years in succession. Then an event occur
red that led to the close of her prosperou
school. DR.. Parish had a nephew that wa
just about to enter the ministry. He cam
to visit his uncle and spend few weeks il
the summer. He preached once or twice TO
his uncle, and the old people said that tn
young man was sound in the faith and bad
fair to become useful preacher. Durin
his stay he visited the select school that Ar
nette was teaching. Having gone once h
concluded to go again and visit the schOo
At his first visit he made some excellen
remarks and then offered prayer. But i
subsequent visits, his remarks were all mad
to the teacher, if the children have reporte
correctly in this matter. To be brief in thi
narrative, Rev. Timothy johnson did nc
pay his attention to Miss Annette Forest fo
two years. He pleaded the necessity {
going to his parish sooner, and having
helpmeet in his sacred and parochial du
ties. He therefore proposed to marry Mis-
Annette after a brief acquaintance of thre
months. Mrs. Deacon Jones told her siste
that as he was a relative of Rev DR. Parish
and was of good family, she could not Sc
why they could not marry with only tire
months courtship. Her husband objecte
at first, and said it was a grave innovatio
upon pleasant and time ;honored custom
But after a time he yielded to his wife
sensible view of the case. In few week
the select school closed, and the teacher BIT
came the bride of Rev. Timothy johnson
and moved away to engage in duties tina
gladdened many a home in her husband
parish. The Rev. Timothy johnson live
many years with his wife, and never regret
ted that he had married as he did. Childre
and grandchildren have recorded their piet
and labors in the cause of their Holy II,
deemer.
As for Ellen, the youngest sister, she b,
came the Dorcas of the family and til
whole region round about her native tow
Coats and all kinds of garments she mad
with great skill. No one exceled her i
that line of business. She never married
She was once engaged to be married to
worthy young farmer. He was taken sic
of fever and in q few weeks he died TIL
event was terrible to Ellen. She monrne
his loss and felt that God had thus signifie
to her that she should remain single in life
III lnh A flor a m aha haa