Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-06-20
FAITHS VISIONS.

village, anu nave ever SDuRIll u ne a
ligIuus, GOdfearing woman IL ia due tn
myself TO state these things, because what
have here to set down Is extraordinary
and out Of the common. Some Of il | RI
gard as at variance with sound Christian
prccrpt, but am In no way responsible
for IT, merely relate some curious facts
concerning my late niece, Faith Converse
and her late husband
Until Faith was lS we two lived com
furtably together on my slender income
and nothing happened TO disturb the
wouted 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 pros
porous He WAS a childleSs wdOwer Of 50
and lived with housekeeper and servants
. in great house that overlooked the bay.
His deep bass led the singing at meeting:
though not a member he was regularly
there, and he WAS charitable, kind and
good. Therefore | was 5urprised-nay. !
was delighted-when he told me one day
that the subject OF taking another wife
had been much on his mind of late, and
that Faith Eldrdge was the one whom he
wished. And he said that perhaps il
would be better II would first make his
desire known TO her.
4 ! gladly did 80 the same day. She was
amazed; that | expected; but she gave q
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 decidedly.
am not given to anger, but wrath at
that time was to be justified Tell me
this instant, | said and think stamped
my FOOT, what this folly means! Have
you a lover"
She colored.
Tell me!r
Don't he angry with me. Aunt Rachel"
she said; Il wanted TO tell you before, but
! did not dare | am bet othed to Earl
Converse the master Of Squire Bradsh's
ship COnquerOr. We shall be married
some tine-I trust We became engaged
just before his ship sailed the last time
But-but-I 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 shiver
There are things which | can't explain
Z to you, aunt" she said. "You wouldn't
believe me IL | should tell you. | see things
{ III my sleep, and hear voices that tell mr
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 meeting
house burned up three years ago, and /
had seen 1t all in my sleep two nights be
fore. Months ere | met Earl Converse he
came to me in my visions. ] saw him
plainly as ! see you now, and knew he was
to he my husband. You can't believe it;
nobody would, but EarI-he does No
matter, 1t 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 appeared thought
full. But he agreed with me that some
thing was strangely troubling the girls
mind. He hoped II would soon pass
away, and that Faith might be cured of
this silly fancy for poor shipmaster, and
be willing to take the first man OF the
town for her husband.
The COnquerOr came into port on her re
turn voyage, a few weeks after my talk
with Faith, AMI as there was no sinful Sc
Cret to be longer kept, Capt. Converse
came openly To our house. He was a
proper enough young man; he never
swore like most sea-faring men: in time.
no doubt he would be forehanded, and
had not the squire spoken out as he did,
| might have been satisfied with him as
Faiths future husband. As it was, put
up my veXation and kept silent.
\ few days passed before the COnquerur
sailed again, Faith told me that she had
promised Capt. Converse that with my
consent she would marry him on his re-
turn. Had my mind been made up from
my sense Of Christian duty, her wistful
voice and implOring eyes might have
shaken my resolution But | did not
yield, and leaving her in tears I went 70
tell the news to Squire Bradish. He be
came more thoughtful than ever when he
heard it, and knitted his brows. vent
ured to make a suggestion, l was 50 anX
ious, and perhaps | spoke sinfully and un-
charitably.
Suppose you discharge him from your
service" said; that would destroy his
income and they could not marry"
He looked at me curiously and did not
speak for long time. Then he said:
Il have been thinking Of that; but it will
not do. Poor as he Is they might marry
now, in spite Of us No, we will let him
60 out again IN the COnqueror. That will
separate them for some months and give
us time to contrive.'
Some time after the sailing Of her lover
l observed a great change in Edith. Her
cheerfulness departed. She grew pensive
and silent; once found her in tears. !
could not speak to her Of the old, distress
ing subject, for 1t estranged US. l feared
still more for her mind, and treated her
with the greatest kindness. Her eyes
thanked me. and she always kissed me
now upon going to bed. And more than
ever did pray that peace and serenity, as
of old, might rest upon our home.
One day there was a call from Squire
Bradish.
Where was Faitht" he asked.
Out about the flower beds" said
Il have bad news, Miss Rachel She
must hear it. Please cali her in"
She came in with her sun-b0nnet in her
hand, not at all agitated by the 'squlre's
call.
There is sad news to-day, Miss El-
bridge he said. Can you bear it'"
She fixed her eyes intently upon him,
but showed no emotion
THE Conquerer has just rounded the
lower point. A swift cutter coming up
brought me letter from the mate. II
tells me that Capt. Converse was drowned
on the 14th OF June in mid-ocean"
| looked to see her scream or faint. She
did neither, with her hands lying loosely
in her lap she sat there-a far-away look
in her eyes, which seemed to see neither
of