The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-10-10
RAN AWAY WITH A SHAKER.
Good Luck Aided the Brave Youth and Dcmure
Maiden.
ILelrislnn .JoMrnal.l

PORTLAND, Me, Sept 2l.-It is well known
that the Shakers abstain from marriage. Others
may marry and have children if they want
TO, they say, but they find more happiness in n
conservation TO single blessedness and abstl-
nence. They keep up the membership OF their
community by adopting from time to time
men and women who have grown weary OF the
world, and homeless or neglected children.
They here find quiet, well-fed, comfortable
life, and just about enough work to insure
health, appetite and n sound sleep. They
must live on the Shaker system, however, and
renounco all worldly affections.
The visitor ut the Shaker meetings on Sum-
mer Sundays often gets interested in the fair
and demure young Shakeresses, who move SO
gracefully through the motions of the Shaker
dance, hardly venturing to cast modest
glance now and then at the onlookers. The
visitor wonders If Cupid's mischevous flame
ever burns in the breasts of these charming
young Shakeresses-if they succeed in Danish
ing altogether the promptings of passion and
entirely reconstructing human nature by put
ting on those long, single barreled bonnets
aud straight drab dresses. Now and then he
sees face that hTightens and Teddens when
| her eyes meet his-that seems eager, but
afraid; and he thinks her lips could tell of
| yearnings were the seal removed But there
is something in the gentleness and the calm OF
| Shaker life that molds these young natures
more effectualy than one would think posi-
| bic. Nothing else could do IL. In nearly every
| instance the young maiden remains satisfied
with the Shaker lot, aud cleaves to the Shaker
| life, forgetting the impulses she inherited from
! Eve, and rejoicing in vrginity.
Once in great while nature asserts herself,
| however, and demure maiden opens her
heart to the god of love. A case of this kind is
| reported this week, and has caused u sensation
| in this vicinity. One of the Shakeresses has
elOped with worldly youth, Will Knight by
| name, who must have possessed some of the
| plucky spirit of young Lochinvar 10 success
| fully WOO and win one surrounded by such
| watchtul guardians as the good old Shaker
addresses are said to be. Young Knight. whose
reputation is of the best, has been ut work in
the Shaker village, and by some means formed
an acquaintance with this girl OF sweet III, who
was extremely attractive, Notwithstanding her
| plain attire. According TO the customs and
| religion of the Shakers she was 2oalousy
! guarded, but by some unknown means these
two had laid their plans and carried them to .
successful issue.
On the eventful day, either by diplomatic
contrivance or provdential happening. the
maiden was sent on an errand which, As was
shown by after developments, took her past
| the spot where she was to meet her lover. She
| volunteered To take tho washing 20 the laundry
on her way, aud was unsuspcctiugly allowed TO
| do so, n younger girl being sent to help her
carry It, Before starting out, however, such
| part of her wardrobe as she wished 10 take
were slipped into the basket aud concealed
| beneath the clothes.
Before reaching their destination they are
met by knight, presumably Mt an appointed
| place, with team The girls wardrobe is
transferred from basket To carriage in twink
ling, the girl herself steps in. bidding the other
| finish the crrand, and they are off, but the one
| left cries out TO know where they going,
Mechanic Falls !" answered back tho young
| man.
. want to go, too" says tho child, almost
crying.
"All right I'll send another fellow after you
| Tomorrow" is the comforting assurance and
| away they Ro-pot 60 Mechanic Falls, but
straight across the New Hampshire line. where
| they made one. after which they return TO
the home OF Knights parents Ia Raymond.
On the discovery OF the girls departure
| search was made for her. Taking the false
scent her guardians went 10 Mechanic Falls,
| but of course they dindt find her. Suspicion
| pointed 10 the truth, however. and visit 90 the
| home of Knights parents WAS conArmatoFy.
| That ended IL The mischief had been doue
and could not W.T. repaired; and next Summer.
when the quaint Shaker services open. one esa
maiden will step through the swayiBg measures
| of the Shaker dance-oue pair OF eyes less will
steal Chances at tho visitors -onc drab bodice
less viii be vexcd with the worlds temptations,