The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-11-27

I0OY VHN0T0luY kkVNA ~ NeAoAk 48ll0I0NA
service ~ Frisnds' meeting. Thu tSrrn
Quaker, a. the historian Hume tails n Ia
really one Of ridicule, which has elunr Ia
the sect siuoe Its origin In England.
To a man OF the bustlihg nineteenth oen-
fury world, a Quaker meeting 10 novel and
refreshing. He leaves the place Inclined to
envy the stolid Quaker his transformations
service. He counts his change to find that
he has not been asked to give 70 ! dozen
needy charities or to increase the minis
ter's salary, for no collection Ii ever taken
at a Quaker meeting. The entire material
cost OF religion to y Quaker does not cx-
coed % or "a a year. The expenses conxist
only Of fuel and repairs. There u little to
repair save four brick wallis and the wooden
benches
Near New Wilmington, Pa, isa peculiar
community, whose members are known as
Amishmen. One of the younger and moro
radical OF the number recently astonished
the entire community by appearing at
meeting dressed In store Clothes" He
took off his hat, too, in meeting, which was
against the rules. But what scandalized
the good old Amishmen worst Of all was to
see that he had had his hair cut by a
worldly barber" Amishmen wear their
hair very long and shaggy and dress in
long tailed coats with no buttons, fastened
only by hooks and eyes from top to bottom.
Not one of his former friends would speak
to the young Amishman after his renova-
ton. The peddlers who visit the commu-
nifty to buy farm products have been ad-
vised not to purchase from him, and the
storekeepers have been requested not to sell
him goods-in fact, he is subject to a Sc
we're boycott, but still asserts his independ-
ence. He took a CARLOAD of apples to a
cider mill one day. but the millhands re-
fused to grind or press his apples and COM
PEELED him to take the load back home.
The ostracised young Amishman now de-
clares that he will the faith and
move to another part OF the state. His wi
father, who is q strict Amishmau, refuses
to condone his sons offense and will have
nothing to do with him.
On a high bluff, midway between Con-
shohocken and Manayunk, overlooking the
picturesque Schuylkill valley, is a Quaker
hermit's cave. A large balancing rock
forms the roof. while the chinLs along the
side have been stopped with small stones.
mud and dried grass. This cave is the home
of Joseph Dewess, the prophet" more ia
military known as "Old joe"
Thirteen years ago Joe took up his abode
there, in the beauty spot Of southern Penn
~sylvania. He had been a successful bust
ness man, had achieved . snug fortune and
deposited his money IN = Philadelphia
bank. He had chosen a handsome Quaker
City belle to become his bride. Then came
the crash. The bank failed, and Joe's
thousands were swept away. His mind
gave way under the terrible strain. A we'll
defined financial idiosyncrasy soon became
apparent, and visions OF fabulous wealth
fitted through poor old Joe's diseased
brain. He styled himself the prophet"
to consult whom meant a mans fortune.
A strip of rocky land had been saved
from his financial wreck. and it was there
that old joe went to live In his hermit cav
near C~onshohocken. A Quaker settlement
is near by, and upon this kind hearted folk
the hermit is largely dependent. When
the storms Of winter rage, a sturdy old
Quaker elder may often be seen trudging
along the rocky path that leads to the
prophets cave, with a bowl Of hot soup or
joint of we'll roasted meat.
Visitors to joss cave on taking their de-
parture often drop nickels or dimes into his
hand, but he never asks for aims. He has
been taught by his Quaker neighbors not
to accept money on Sunday and politely
refuses, reminding the would be giver that
it is 'the Lords day." So
Becky Vanderbilt was down to see me
the other. day." said old Joe recently to the
writer. 81 10. ~
''They come from the four corners Of the
earth to learn my system Of financed I am
in a charmed circle, charmed by gold! I
cast seven devils out Of a young lady the
other day-all by the power of gold. And
what do you think, her father gave me
only 81. so and seven Spanish cigars.
young man." he continued in his ram
bling way, you want to stop writing for
newspapers and make your fortune. I am
going to call a conference soon of Wander
bilt, Gould, Drexel, Barring and Sage, to di-
vide the worlds money. Some people say
Gould and Drexel are dead. but they are
not, for the rich never die. l like you, and
you must have money. You just be on
hand, and I'll see that you get q good
share" ID
left old Joe in good humor as I hurried
to catch my train, promising to be on hand
at the division of the spoils.
These are a few peculiarities noted among
the old school Quakers. With quaint hos
pitality they make a stranger feel at ease
among them, while not neglecting their own
secular duties. They are born, raised
and die in the same town, often in the same
house. Recognizing above all the univer
sal God, they live thrftily and devoutly,
simply and contentedly. They pass down
to the ebb tide Of life in happiness and
ease. When they die, let us believe with
Keith that it il well with their souls.
ks TINKER