Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-02-06

either side of the road remind
ed him of the ocean which
had been SO near his old
home. He reached his destination
about noon. While he was waiting in
the village tavern for his dinner to be
prepared he saw some newspapers
lying on table near by. They were
welcome sight, for they were not so
common then as now. CHANGING over
them he found one published in the
town nearest the place he had left in
the East. 1t was three months old. but
that was late news in those days. How
names in even the advertisements;
some that he knew were dead and-ah,
yes, here were the marriages. But what
did this mean?
MARRIED-In the Friends meeting house.
near B.. Rachel Hatton and Enoch Pierce.
He read no farther. If her name had
been among those who had died he
could have borne it better. Scarcely
tasting the dinner, he went about trans
acting the business he must attend too,
and loading his purchases Into his
wagon he started homeward never GO
ing near the post-office. It would be no
use; Rachel was married to another
man-she had forgotten him.
Clouds obscured the sky; lightning
and thunder came, followed by "a drench-
ing rain. He little needed it; the day
of such beautiful promise had come to a
dismal ending in more ways than one !;
the sun had gone out of his life too.
Home again, but how changed; he
had thought SO often how it would seem
in tired from a days work she would
ho cfo >, i,,r IN tho door ~ x,olooroo
him. That was all over; it could never
be; and he must not think Of her even,
She was another mans wife now.
He went about his duties mechanical
ly, because he was not the man to sit
down weakly lamenting over the past.
He would dc what he could.
People wondered what had happened
to David Rich; he looked so i'll. On
meeting day they would look at him
with such solicitous inquiry, and some
would even say, "What ails thee,
David? thee looks like thee was not
WE'LL"
"Oh, yes" he would answer, "Ithink
have worked rather too hard these
long hot days; but | am well, thank
thee"
Sometimes he felt like giving up meet
ing on account of the curious chances and
outspoken sympathy, but he so often
found comfort here from earnest words
heard and even when they all sat the
long hours through with no spoken
words to break the silence he found
strange peace come to calm his troubled
heart.
Ten years went by; David Rich had
prospered in every way. A handsome
frame dwelling stood on the former site
OF the log cabin furnished in elegance
and comfort. Here he lodged, but he
boarded at the house Just over the way
with a good old Quaker pair who re-
garded him in the light OF son. He
bad made the passing years full of good
deeds. He was respected and honored
by ali. He had been offered high Off
cial positions, but had declined them all.
Polite and courteous to women at all
times, he had never paid marked atten-
tons to any.
The little community was in a hutter
OF excitement. Yearly meeting was in
progress, and quite company of
friends from the East were present to
assist in the proceedings. On the
calm First Day morning David Rich
himself with his customary care
and went to meeting. He sat on the
mems side OF the house with hat drawn
down over his eyes, alter the manner of
the people. Several women spoke.
One man offered up a petition Then
ensued short period of silence; when
a musical, strangely familiar voice from
the women's side of the house caused
David Rich to SO far forget himself as to
raise his head and look fairly at the
speaker. 1t was indeed Rachel,
looking little older but more
handsome; her race smooth, pink and
dimpled, looking very sweet beneath
that quaint drab satin bonnet. She
urged the people to be more jealous In
good works, following at all times the
promptngs of the spirit which speaks to
each W ling heart, directing weak hui
manity what to do, whittier to go, and
how best to live Alright, il the voice only
be needed. In conclusion, she said,
$ We little know, oh, my hearers, what
awaits us in this world of change. A
few weeks ago | had scarcely heard of
this settlement. A way opened Tor me
to come hither. | felt call IS from
above; there were no ties to bind me
there; so am here to teach or speak to
His people. | come gladly, and humbly
offer myself to do as the Spirit wills"
Soon meeting closed, and the Friends
crowded around those who had come
from abroad. giving them hearty well
come to their homes as honored guests.
David stood irreselute, but at last
made his way to Racheps side and ex-
tending his hand he said, 81 suppose
thee will remember an old friends
She knew him, and scarlet fame
leaped from cheek to brow. Recover
ing herself she said, well, David Rich,
where did thee come from. I little
thought to meet thee here.'
He answered 81 have lived near here
all the time, Rachel. But what is thy
last name; pardon me, for / have for
gotten"
She looked at him in amazement as
she said my last name? Why, I am
Rac ell Hatton still, of course"
Others crowded around and here the
conversation ended. The friends with
whom Rachel had journeyed were rela-
tives OF the kind old Quaker with whom
David b: arded; SO she naturally went
there and was surprised to see him
making himself at home there. After
dinner sie VAS standing on a north
porch looking AT the beautiful scene, so
new and strange TO her, when David
joined her. He said ooh, Rachel, tell
lo% wood