The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-06-09
FAITHS VISIONS.
She and Her Lover Were Not
Parted in Death.

Ihave always lived in a New England
village. and have ever sought to be a
religious, God-fearing woman. 1t is
due to myself to state these things, be-
cause what I have here to set down is
extraordinary and out of the common.
Some of it regard as at variance with
sound Christian precept, but am in no
way responsible for it. I merely relate
some curious facts concerning my late
niece, Faith Converse, and her late hus-
band. Her mother is my youngest sis
ter. Both her parents died in her in
fancy, and her nurture and admonition
became my charge. She grew up good
girl in the main, but too much given to
the concets of the world-as her mother
was before her. Faith had what world
ly folk call beauty and grace; and
though | made her dress demurely, she
was never without trinket, ribbon or
flower in her hair. Yet she was
obedlent and loving; she dutifully at
tended the preaching of the word with
me; and when my eyes were dim at
night she was willing to take the blessed
book and read an edifying chapter of my
choice to me.
Until Faith was eighteen we two lived
comfortably together on my slender
income, and nothing happened to dis
turb the wonted serenity of our lives.
Then there was change. We dwelt in
a seaport town. the greatest man of
which was Squire Bradish. He was its
largest ship-owner, and otherwise
wealthy and prosperous. He was a
childless widower of fifty, and lived with
a housekeeper and servants in a great
house that overlooked the bay. His
deep bass led the singing at meeting;
though not member he was regularly
there, and he was charitable, kind and
good Therefore l was surprisad-naY,
was delighted he told me one
day that the subject 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 per-
haps it would be better if would first
make his desire known to her. I gladly
did so the same day. She was amazed;
that had expected; but she gave pos
tive refusal. and was more vexed than
can tell. In vain did remind her of
the squirrels riches, his position, his
goodness. She shook her head decided
ly. l am not given to anger, but wrath
at that time was to be justified.
Tell me this instant" / said (and I
think | stamped my FOOT, ''what this
folly means! Have you lover?'
She colored.
"Tell mer'
"Don't be angry with me, Aunt
Rachel" she said. 81 wanted to tell
you before, but 1 did not dare. 1 am
betrothed to Earl Converse, the master
of Squire Bradish's ship Conqueror.
We shall be married some time 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 a wild
talk that made me shiver.
There are things which l can't ex-
plain to you, aunt she said, You
wouldn't believe me if should tell you.
see things in my sleep and I 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 l 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
years ago-and l had seen it all in my
sleep two nights before. Months ere /
mt Earl Converse he came to me in
my visions. saw him as plainly as l
Sc, you now, and knew that he was to
DC my husband. You can't believe
IT; nobody would, but Earl-he does.
No matter, it is true.''
IN pity to the girl, fearing that some
devil had possessed her, / said no
more just then. Next day saw the
squire and told him. He listened,
asked me many questions, and APP
peared thoughtful. But he agreed with
me that something was strangely troub-
ing the girls mind. He hoped it would
soon pass away, and he hoped that
Faith might also be cured of this silly
lancy for a poor shipmaster, and be
" ling to take the first man of the town
ior her husband. The Cohqueror came
INTO port on her return voyage a few
weeks after my talk with Faith, and as
,here was no sinful secret to be longer
Kept, Captain Converse came openly
10 our house. He was proper enough
young man; he never swore like most
seaiarlng men. In time, no doubt, he
would be forehanded, and had not the
squire spoken out as he did, l might
nave been satisfied with him as Faiths
iatllre husband. As it was put up my
sexatlon and kept silent. A few days
oe1ore the Conqueror sailed again Faith
toid ME that she had promised Captain
converse that with my consent she
would marry HIM on his return. Had
not my mind been made up from my
sense of Christian duty, her wistful
VOC and imploring eyes might have
shaken my resolution But | did not
sleid, and leaving her in tears l went
70 LAIi fha o. I'll II