San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-12-05
A QUAKER MEETING.
Why Dick and Dorothy Were Too Late
20 Attend Ono.


"Theo may have tho horse to take friend
Richard TO meeting, Dorothy" said my
father, but ! will not have junketing
about the roads ON tho Lords day for
naught but thy own pleasure"
u have always wanted 10 60 to Quaker
meeting" said Dick, giving me q tender
look lit must DO very interesting place
OF worship"
Dick Howolls was of tho worlds people,
while was n Qnakers daughter, but oh J
how l did long 10 wear tho lovely bright
oolors saw on other girls. aud so into the
pleasures OF tho world about which my
brothers friend Dick had told mo 30 much.
My mother not being very well my father
would not leave hor to attend meeting that
first day, and my brother had gone to dis
tant meeting where pretty Quaker lass
had attraction.
whoa thore, Jenny" said my fathor
to tho old mare in exactly tho same tone he
had used to her when / was baby,
Climb in, Dorothy, Friond Richard,
thee will drive her gently mn thee please
| ''She shall have her own way, sir" nn-
swered Dick gallantly, rs he took up the
stiff leather reins 10 his Gloved tingers.
hope thee will have good meeting
his long white hair floating over his coat
colar--that coat whose skirt nearly touched
his heels, and which made him look like q
patriarch. Dear coat and dear wearor. Ii
was marriage garment he was not asham-
cd to wear.
Get up" said Dick, fiicker!ng fhe whip
over old Jennie, who laid one year back in
remonstrance. Now, where 10 that Won
Il ,,,l
He called me Dolly, No one else over
did.
"Ovor there in the hollow where the will
lows grow. You eau see the people going
in now. And oh Dick, the men all sit
on one side and the women ON the other.
and thsy worship in silence"
II don't doubt it," said Dick flppantly
Now if go with you, Dolly, l shall sit
with you that is part of my religion"
Oh, no, no, l cried in alarm, that would
never do. That would be like the worlds
people,"
1T is too carly said Dick, ignoring my
speech; 1--WE will drive along that shady
road where the trees meet overhead"
"That is Lovers Lane" said, and then
at the look he gave me l wished / had
held my peace.
VIC uTONc uiu tuO
was so sweet. and tho birds sang so blitholy
and there wasa heavenly ecstasy in our
hearts that we forgot about first day and
meeting, and when we turned and reached
the gray old building Dick looked at his
watch and said II was too late. We could
hear the voice of q prophecies who ut inter
vals cried out:
"Hearken and hear hearken and hear. "
'They are having good meetng," /
said reyerently.
80 are we." Dicks voice foil, and thoro
was a tremor in il.
How did you like the meeting friond?"
asked my father at dinner.
Every much, indeed" answered Dick.
"What quaint picturesque method of wor-
ship, 30 much simpler and better than ours.
Almost thou persuades mo to be Quakor
1t was service Of love-"
That afternoon sat with our guest IN
the front room, when we saw neiglibor
come in, md soon heard my fathers voice
raised in anger lie callcd me to him. My
mother had risen from her chair, and was
looking white and DISTRESSED.
''Did thee 90 to meeting this day, Doro-
thyp" asked my father with nm angry In
tonation of voice; answer me, yea or nay"
Hardly had my lips formed trembling
'Nay" when my lovers arm was around
my waist and his voice rang out;
Father Mother told you that it
sna service of love. In the presence Of
Tho ministers of earth and air and Gods
holy angels, Dorothy and were betrothed
his morning. She has promised to be my
welded wife, and so we were too late for
meeting.
There was a storm, but it blew ovor. We
nave been very, very happy, but Dick al.
ways says he was defrauded out of the only
,hance he ever had TO attend Quaker
Meeting. Detroit Free Press.