Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-06-24
FAITH CoNvERsE,s VISIONS.

gwen 10 the concerts OF Jne WOrlu-a
her mother was before her. Faith hat
what worldly folk call beauty and grace
and though / made her dress demurely
she was never without u trinket a rib
bon, or flower in her hair. Yet sh,
was obedient and loving; she dutifull,
attended the preaching of the word witt
me; and when my eyes were dim a
night she was willing to take the blessed
book and read an edifying chapter o.
my choice to me.
Until Faith was Is we two lived com
fortably together on my slender income
and nothing happened to disturb the
wonted serenity of our lives. Then
there was change. We dwelt in 3
seaport town, the greatest man of which
was Squire Bradish He was its largest
ship-owner, and otherwise wealthy and
prosperous. Hewas childless widowel
of so, and lived with a housekeeper and
servants in a great house that overlook.
ed the bay His deep bass led the sing.
ing at meeting; though not a member
he was regularly there, and he was
charitable, kind, and good. Therefore
| was surprised-nay, was delighted
when he told me one day that the sub.
ject of taking another wife had been
much on his mind of late, and that
Faith Eldridge was the one whom he
wished. And he said that perhaps il
would be better if would first make his
desire known TO her. | gladly did SO
the same day. She was amazed; that
| had expected; but she gave positive
refusal, and | was more vexed than
can tell In vain did | remind her OF
the 'squire's riches, his position, his
goodness. She shook her head decided
ly. am not given to anger, but wrath
at that time was to be justified.
Tell me this instant, | said (and |
think stamped my fooD, what this
folly means! Have you lover9n
She colored.
''Iell met
Don't be angry with me, Aunt
Rachel. she said. II wanted to tell
you before, but did not dare. am
betrothed to Earl Converse, the master
of Squire Bradish ship Conqueror
We shall be married some time-I trust
We became engaged just before his ship
sailed the last time. But butt loved
him before | ever saw him.
The girl seemed to be losing her
senses. | stared at her. but indignation
kept me silent.
She broke out in wild talk that made
me SILVER
"There are things which / can't cx-
plain to you, aunt" she said. ''You
wouldn't believe me if should tell you
/ see things in my sleep and | hear
voices that tell me truly of much that is
to happen. When the great storm came
last December that wrecked so many of
our ships and drowned so many sailors
of our town knew it weeks before the
news came home. | could have told
the name of every wrecked ship and
drowned sailor, but the people would
have thought me crazy-as you do now.
The Westinghouse burned up three
year ago and had seen it all in my
sleep two nights before. Months ere !
met Earl Converse he came to me in
my visions. | Saw linn as plainly as
see You now, ANA Hucw chat he was to
be my husband. You can't believe it
nobody would bun Earl he does. No
matter, it is tsue
In pity 70 be rirl, fearing that some
devil had pc session OF her, | said nc
more Just then Next day | saw the
squire and told him. He listened
asked me many questions. and appeared
thoughtful. But he agreed with me
that something was strangely troubling
the girls mind. lie hoped it would
soon pass away, and he hoped thai
Faith might also be cured OF this silly
fancy for a poor shipmaster, and b,
willing to take the first man OF the town
for her husband.
The Conqueror came into port on hel
return voyage Il few weeks after my
talk with Faith, and rs there was ne
sinful secret 10 be longer kept, Captain
Converse came openly to our house. liz
was proper enough young man; ht
never swore like most seafaring men
In time, no doubt, he would be fore
handed, and had not the squire Spoken
out as he did, ] might have been salts
fed with him as Faiths future husband
As it was put up my voxation and KEEP
silent.
a few days before the Conquero
sailed again Faith told me that she hat
promised Captain Converse that witt
my consent she would marry HIN on hi
return. Had not my mind been mad
up from my sense of Christian duty, he
wistful voice and lmploring eyes nigh
have shaken my resolution. But | die
not yield, and leaving her in tears
went TO tell the news to Squire Bradish
He became more thoughtful than eve
/ when Ire heard IL. and knitted hi
hrows
| vcnturcd TO make a suggestion,
WAS 50 anxious, and perhaps | spok
sinfully and uneharitably.
Suppose You discharge him iron
your service" | said. chat would de
stroy his income, and they could no
marry.
He looked at me euriously, and di
not speak for long time. Then h
! said:
Il have been thinking of that; but
will not do. Poor rs he is. they Nigh
marry now. in spite of us. No; we wi
let him 70 out again in the Conquerol
That win separate them for som
months, and give us time 10 contrive.
Some time after the sailing Of he
! A0f "a NhNNA NStA - = tAetN Nttsttff-C 2
| Faith Her cheerfulnCss departed. Sh
grew peasire and silent; once l foun
her ia tears. could not speak TO he
OF the old, distressing subject. for
estrangod us. feared still more 70
her mind. and treated her with tn
greatest kindness. Her eyes thanko
me, and she always kissed me no'
| upon going to bed And more thai
/ ever did | pray that peace and serenity
as Of old, might rest upon our home.
/ One might there was rap at tn
door. My niece was ont among he
flower-beds. and | answered the RAP
The caller was Squire Bradish.
where is Faith?"
Itoid him.
u hayo had news. Miss Rachel Sh
must hear it. Please call her in. =
She came in. with her sunbonnet i
her hand, not AZ al agitated by tn
. Z fgrxt,f-.,f - ALL