Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-11-10
THE SEXTON'S STORY.
Many Memories Recalled Beside an
Open Grave.

For some time had heard the omi-
nous muttering OF the distant thunder.
but had been so absorbed with the
beauties of the scenery that had not
realized the fast approaching shower
till the first great drops which herald
the coming tempest battered around
me, now and then one striking me and
going through my thin summer coat.
] looked up and saw that ! was just
passing the gate OF country cemetery,
and u short distance from the gate l
cspied u clump OF trees, under which
thought might find temporary shelter
from the dash Of rain that / knew
would soon be upon me.
Passing through the gate, | went up
the pathway short distance and dis
covered rustic house in the center of
the group of trees which had seen
from the road. ! started toward this
house, when flash of lightning nearly
blinded me.
When / recovered from the shock,
the clouds had gathered 50 thiclsly that
pccred into darkness as | approached
the rustic house. AZ | was entering
the door an apparent apparition arose
before me, aud started back at the
sight of an old man. all in white, with
II long, snow-white beard and hollow
eyes, who looked as IL he might be
tenant of one Of the old graves near by.
but welcome from him, uttered in
very pleasant voice, treasured me, and
| entered just as the shower burst in
all its fury.
A.. h., ,lI
he said:
"Rather'a dismal place TO be caught
in thunder shower, isn't it,"
"Well, yes" answered, lit Is so. ]
am glad have company. But how
happened you to be here ut this time,
II ! may asf?'
"Why, certainly you may ask such Il
question. am here to prepare place
for one OF my tenants. You see / have
been sexton of this cemetery for forty
years, ind / have come to look upon all
the inmates ms my tenants"
looked little way from where we
sat, and the pile of fresh earth indicat-
ed the place where he had made pre-
| paration for the new tenant.
Another binding fash of lightning
made me involuutarily start, and as the
peal OF thunder which followed died
away I said;
Forty years, that's II long time.
suppose you could tell some interesting
stories from your experience herc?'
yes" answered the old sexton; "if
had the faculty Of storytelling l
could find enough 10 make many stor-
| les"
Whose grave are you making ready
now?" | queried.
"NIrs. Trescott's," he said, in n mus
ing manner, and l asked:
And who might Mrs. Prescott bc?'
The old sexton sat in study for II
moment, and then replied:
"Who was Mrs. Prescott? We'll. III
have TO begin at the beginning. Sixty
years ago Thomas and Robert Ed
munds came to this town from Eng
land The two men were brothers and
had married sisters. Thomas, the cid
est, was widower with one daughter,
three years Of age. Roberts wife was
an invalid, and their family consisted
of son, also three years old.
These two brothers built those two
houses that you can get glimpse OF
over tho tops of the trees yOndcr. The
houses stand side by side, and in the
rear between the two stands n garden
cr'- house, where lived Richard Tres
colt, gardener whom the Edmunds
brothers had brought with them from
England. Richard Trescott's wife was
q thorough lady, and they had one son,
Richard, Jr., four years Of age.
"rhc two brothers built the large
wooden mill which You passed just be-
low here, and for many years the busi-
ness went on. The brothers intended
that Edward and Alice should wed at
nu early age, and the property thus be
kept in the family.
"Richard Prescott had been gardener
for the family for many years in Eng
land, and had succeeded his father, and
so he had grown up with the brothers.
It was only natural, therefore, that lit
tie Richard should be the playmate OF
Edward and Alice.
IAN was well for several years, but
when the cousins were twelve or thir-
teen years of age a slight trouble com
menced. Edward had hnsty temper
and an ovcrbcaring disposition, and so
on account OF his superior standing anC
the knowledge that Alice was his in
tended wife, Jealousy was aroused 10y
the strong friendship between Alice
and Richard, and this jealousy had fire.
quent outburSts.
Young Richard was manly fellow
and stood Edwards insults in cain
and quiet manner, never rescnting any
OF his indignities
MATTERS went on thus until Edward
and Alice were sixteen, and by thi'
time the young man had become 30 Elk
asperated that he told his father OF tn
state of affairs. Thomas was soon in
formed, and a stormy scene ensued
The result was that Richard Trescot
was obliged TO leave the employ Of tn
brothers and SO leave the town.
"Soon after this, Thomas, tho eide
brother, was taken seriously i'll, and
fe airing that he might not live 10 &c
the union Of his daughter and her cout
" in, he endeavored, by the most urgen
!, persuasion, 10 make her promise tina
his desire should lie realized on he
twenty-h first birthday.