The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-10-08

lOuUs 4hCh uO ooAo
times are preparing for my country. I
have a part therein. l thank God that He
has permitted me to be born in time to act
that part as He Intends"
"What were you saying, Nathan? You
speak so strangely, as though not to me at
all, but to some one invisible to me whom.
your eyes are fixed upon"
"Was I so absent-minded, Faith? Mind
it not. To be with you is peace for me,
and my mind has been filled with troub-
lous thoughts of late"
"What trouble, Nathan? You are always
sedate, but to-day you seem almost anx-
ious minded. Am not here by your side
now?"
But I should see your parents. This even
ing, when the sun is set, we will sit togeth-
er and watch the stars come out, as we
used to do"
Squire Lehingwell was pleased that this
young guest should be there. 1t had been
Nathan's custom, as he passed back and
forth between his home in Coventry town,
twenty miles away, and the college in New
Haven, to spend a night with these people.
The rigorous old man was well impressed
by the youths learning, sobriety of habit,
and by his manly rectitude of character.
So that, being a wise father, he had with
pleasure observed that an attachment had
grown that promised to give his tender
flower. Faith, a strong protector in good
time. On this day he talked much with
Nathan of the clouds that were gathering
over the country; of Sam Adams and his
stirring words, and of the brave deeds of
their brethren of the Massachusetts, colony
in Boston. The old Squire perceived that
Nathan was most seriously minded about
these things, and that an ardent patriotism
commanded him.. But when Nathan, with
unusual enthusiasm and excitement, said:
''Sir, God has a special part for me to do
was his manner that the old man was con.
WINGED as well, and he said: "Nathan, 1
believe it, and you will do it WE'LL"
1t happened that just before the hour for
the evening meal their old neighbor, Mr.
Benedict, came in.
Nathan" said Faith, Sour old neighbor
| and my big playfellow is here. Mr.. Bene-
| dict, the friend of whom l spoke has hap
| pened in upon u.s." and she presented these
two men by name to each other.
In after years, so long as she lived, re-
membered the girl this strange meeting
that took place before her. The young
men seemed for an instant to have seen
something in each other, some hint or
| premonition of what afterwards would
happen, some revelation that intuition
suggested, that caused them to be unmind-
| full for an instant of the formalities of the
occasion. The elder liked his piercing eyes
| pom the younger student, not rudely but
yet strangely, and then, recovering him
manly spite of his youth, returned the
strange glance with almost strained ex-
preston of inquiry. Then he returned the
salutation. Neither spoke. At the table con-
versation turned upon the threatened
| revolt of the colonies.
SIT will come" said Mr.. Benedict, land
what an opportunity for glory and for
brave exploit will there not be for our
vigorous young men. Is it not so?" he
asked of Nathan.
solemnity of tone, "and what opportunity
may there not be Of doing service for our
country"
The elder with as much display of con-
tempt as was possible for one to show who
cultivated good manners, turned to Faith
and said
"Your young friend is a dreamer"
But when they came to the parting with
him, Benedict said to Nathan. "Some-
thing tells me that we may be both heard
seized me as Mistress Faith presented me"
sit is strange that 1, too, was similarly
impressed" replied Nathan coldly.
In the early evening of the next day, as
Faith was seated where she had sat beside
him she loved on the evening before, she
heard a voice calling: "Faith, child.
Faith"
She knew the voice and she said: "What
is it, Nancy"
"Come walk with me-"
The young girl did as she was bid, fol
she was in the mood to hear what this
face and shaggy eyebrows might say te
her.
"Faith, Faith Lefingwell," said the ole
woman, Nathan was with you yesterday
"You know it, Nancy"
"Aud Mr.. Benedict, too"
"You saw him."
"And did these two men meet? Did yor
bring them together"
"Yes, Nancy"
"Then Nathan is the other one. 1 knew
T chOu1d eaa tha nfha Gonna with n1n
Faith"
The old woman led the girl to the ole
well. The setting sun threw an almos
weird and ghostly light upon the trees ant
fields.
"Look there upon the water of the well
Faith" said the old m
81 can not, Nancy. I was frightened
once"
"But you will not be harmed. Do t."
The girl, she knew not why, timidly dit
as she was commanded, but she suddenl,
started back: "'Tis the same awful fac
and form, Nancy" she said. "Let us g
"You nave seen it, then. That was wha
1 wished. Let me look upon it now"
The old woman bent low over the curb
M thus remained many moments. The
she arose and turning to the young girl
said:
sit has told me. 1 know"
"What, Nancy?"
"Manv strange things. Fame and infam,
were here yesterday. Both sprung in thi
is what it said of you, Faith Leffingwell
A great but evil one shall save her;
greater and a noble one shall be her lover
Think well of that, Faith. Therein is you
destiny"
"What does it mean, Nancy"
"You will live to learn. Tell me, did nc
Mr.. Benedict once save your life?"
"He did, undoubtedly
"Then the half is already told"
8 For many days the young maid pondere
over this mysterious oracle. She woul
sit drealnily, thoughtfully, at the distaf
: forgetting her occupation, SO that til
l wheel would revolve very slowly, and he
hands with the yarn in them fell into he
lap. Then suddenly she would awakel
and with a vigorous twist set the wheel
:. motion again. Blu though she reasone
that it was all absurd, yet the meaning
the oracle perplexed her.
:, Four years passed away. The war ha
come. The two men whom she had brougl
, together were engaged in it.. One, M
: Benedict, had already entered upon b
. humble soldier, whose missives to her wei
L full of courage and hope, and breathed 9
ardent patriotism. One day a messeng'
= rave Faith a letter. 1t was from Natha
: 1t was tender, almost sorrowfully so, bl
= he bade her be courageous though he W;
- 1 opouo y ShcSi oPoh - oSAO ~
one that his duty called him to accep
"This," he wrote, sis what God has S
] apart for me to do"
! i "He will do it, father" said Faith. "Ni
u than never falls" And the patriotic o
, man said: Chatham will do it, whatever
is"
p A week later Esquire Lefingwell soug
. Faith. "My child" he said, 'have you t
{ courage Nathan desired YOU to exercise
= 81 trust so, father; what need is there f
a itg".
= "Faith, if Nathan were required to gi
~ up all, even his life, for his country, VIII
:. them"
"Did-he-not assume that when he b
- came a SOLDIER"
~ "Would you have Nathan make the So
= rifice?"
~ eyes. No. l can not say. l do L
- know"
g. "But if it were for his country"
y, "Father, what is this news you have?'
70 "But this, nv child, A message I ha