The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-12-15
UNCLE JOSEPH'S WOOING
b. SARAH II. GARDNER.

81 SARAH II. GARDNER.
]
One OF the prominent figures in ou1
meeting house for many years was
that of Uncle Joseph, for thus was he
known by the young and old who fire
quented our religious gatherings.
lie occupied the second scat in the
mems gallery, md it was with him
that the elder shook ha ntis in sign tina
Friends should separate. when it
seemed likely that the spirit would
move no others to utter gentle words
OF blessing or stern warning against
the tcnpter.
AS children we regarded Uncle Jo-
seph in the light of patriarch, al
though now know that hi: years a
the time of which l write had scarce
reached the limit of n half century.
He was a con1ely man, straight and
tall, his s1ncoth-shaven face beam
ing with good nature, and his soft
blue eyes lighted with sympa thy.
but he was not intellectual Slo:v
of movement End uncertain in express
sion. his hearers were often troubled
to follow his excellent thought, and it
was no uncommon thing for my parents
to retcr to his niinistrations as being
fla boTed.' We had u consciousness,
Hascd perhaps upon accidental llnOvl-
edge, that he was uncommon1y we'll
to do, and also that there was coEsid
cradle feeling in the society that Sarah
Sidney, with her clear insight and
fac1le speech, would be II At life com
panion for the good man. But time
wore on, and there seemed 40 lil<cli-
hood of u realization of this desire.
eau remember one occasion when
the subject really assumed the impor-
lance that is usually given to gossip,
but it was so lovingly End conscien-
81 fsDr, c1NoS 7
ly impressed.
My father and mother were in the
way Of inviting many friends to dine
with them on monthly meeting day.
Quarterly meeting brought even more
persons from u distance, and among
the children little unaccustomedd duties
we're distributed. was frequently
desired to remain for a time in the
front chamber and assist our women
visitors in removing their wraps and
adjusting the cap crowns that often
met with disaster beneath the stiff
bonnets. 1t was always plea sura bic
duty, for friends never forget the
young, and rs each one grasped my
little palm she did not neglect to
speak an encouraging word to me.
On the occasion to which l have al
luded meeting broke up somewhat
later than usual. hurried home,
warmed my chilled fingers and ran up
stairs, where a bright fire was burning
on the hearth. glanced about to sec
out of the window, where my eye
rested upon a short line of carriages
all bent in the direction of our home.
First came father and mother. grand
father and the th.ee younger chill ;!
dren. then a vehicle we'll known to me I
rs that of Elias Chase from Derry
Quarter. and thus I counted them off |
r. IL l. H.
! missed Sarah Sidney. who general |
ly came with Theophilus Da1dwia's |
family, and, having seen her placid |
lace in its usual place on the scat be- !
,eath the gallery, from ting the meet |
ng, was ut Il loss to explain her ab- |
'cnce. She was tcnderly attached to |
mother, and l could not believe any
light matter would take her to an
,tl'er's table.
A gentle voice called me to my duties
'Why. katherine dear, thee must
rave been very spry to get home be-
ore us. was pleased to see thy in
crest in the meeting to-day"
The good woman kissed me and
banked me for the little aid was
BILE to give in unpinning her shawl.
Directly afterward, sweet Jane Spcn-
CIR came tripping up the stairs. She
vas frequently spoEen of as exhibit
ng "overmuch ardor" in all her good
forks, but we children loved the en-
husiastic little woman.
80 Katherine. I am glad to make use
f thy quick fingers. My cap strings
re sadly awry. I have been most un-
in them all through the
,eeting. Our breakfast was q, trifle |
ste this morning, and we had far to
rive"
One and another arrived, each with
thought of me. How thee grows,
hild,'' or: Thy mother is blessed in
CIR little helpers
The room was well-nigh full, when
ONE one asked the question that had
cen trembling on my lips:
Where is Sarah Sidney?''
No ono directly replied, hut after a
ornents reflection nearly all had q
or a little interest in her to
zrrcss.
''Mcthought her face bore traces of
1xiety this morning trnst she has
ct with no further financial disaster I
hes knows. Rhoda, she Is hcnevolen. |
surprising deErae In GRO whose