The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-12-14
UNCLE JOSEPH'S WOOING.


One of the prominent figures in our
meeting house for many years was
that of Uncle Joseph. fo. thus was ne
known by The young and old who fire.
qucutcI our religious rather.ur~
lie occupied the second seat lu the
mems gallery. and it was with him
that the elder shook hands I'm Sign that
Friends should separate, when IL
seemed likely that the spirit would
move no others to utter gentle words
of blessing or stern warning against
the tcmptcr.
As children we regarded Uncle Jo-
scph in the light of patriarch. al
though l now know that his years at
the time of which l write had scarce
reached the limit of q half century
He WAS a cOmcly man, straight and
tall. his smooth-shavcn face beam
ing with good nature, and his soft
blue eyes lighted with sympathy.
but he was not intellectual. Slow
of movement and uncertain i'm expires
sion. his hearers were often troubled
To- follow his excellent Thought. and IL
was NO uncommon thing .or my parents
to refer to his ministratipn~ as being
'labored." We had consciousness
based perhaps upon accidental EuuvI-
edge. that hc was uucommouIy well
to do. and also that there was cpusid-
crab feeling IN the society that sarah
Sidney, with her clear insight and
facilc speech. would be fit life com
panjon for the good man. Eut time
wore on. and there seemed no II.cIi-
hood of a realization OF this desire.
| can remember one occasion when
the subject really assumed the i8nuor-
taucc that Is usually given to gossip.
but it was so lovingly and couacieu-
tiously touchcd upon that / was great
~ impressed.
Nv father and mother were in the
way of inviting many friends u dine
with them on monthly meeting day.
Quarterly meeting brought even more
persons from a distance, and among
the children little uuaccu~tumsIt duties
We're distributed. I was frequently
desired To remain for a time in the
front chamber and assist our S. omen
visitors IN removing their wra.- am
adjusting the cap crowns tina, often
met with disaster beneath tae stiff
bunuctS. 1t was always Il pi,'l- urs5bi,.
duty. for friends never forget the
young. and a. each one Erl~p.j my
little palm she did not neglect t.
speak an encouraging word L" nae
On the occasion u which / have al
Iudcd meeting broke mp ~om,E, hslf
later than usual | hurried ur-se.
warmed my chilled finger and --u uP-
stairs. where a bright fire wa burning
ON the hearth l glanced aa.ut L. .sr
that the wood box wa full amt booked
ont of tie window. where my eve
rested upon "a short line of carsia-.--
all bent iu thc direction of our home.
First came father and mother. grant
father and the three yuuurar chill
dreu. then a vehicle well known ju mr
as that of Elias Chase from Derry
Quarter. and thus ] counted them o-i
as they drew mp beside tin" horse block,
missed Sarah Siducv. who General
Iv ,,n,. with Thcophilus Haldt,.u-.
f.,miIv and having seen her p.aria
face i'm it~ usual place ON the seat bc-
Meath the ralIrrv. fronting tine meet
inc. I was at a loss to explain heg all
sence. She was tcudcl.ly attached To
mother. and could not believe amy
Io-ht matter would take her to an
others table.
4 gcntle voice called me tony duties.
Why. Katherine dear. tucc must
have been very SpUv To get home hr-
fore us / was pleased tp see thy IN
terast in the meeting to-day.
The rood woman kissed me and
thanked me for the little all ! WAS
able to give in unpiuuiug her shawl.
Directly aftcrward. sweet Jane ~n.,u-
Ger came tripping up the stairs. She
was frequently spoken OF "a oNhi. i.sIt-
ing "overmuch ardor" in all her GOOD
works, but we children loved the en-
thusiastic little woman.
% Katherine. | am glad To make use
of thy quick fingers My cap strings
are sadly awry. / have been most I'M
comfortable in them all thron-h the