The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-08
ITO BE CONTINUED.
A QUAKER IN LOVE.

The little Quaker community of Hills
boro had been invaded by two world.
lings that summer, which had so dis,
turbed its wonted quietness that Bro.
Cox had been forced to lament more
than once, "Alas, that this should be!
The days of our peace have gone"
Bro. Cox felt the trouble more than
the other members of the community,
for he knew that he was partly respon-
sible for it. To think that his nephew,
his only brothers son, should come out
to Hllsboro, and in these few short
months raised such acommotion among
the peoplei
But there was a redeeming virtue in
the young man which Bro. Cox dwelt
upon with a feeling of relief. Before
the saucy face and blue eyes of Ella
Stratton were seen in Hillsboro, Jack
Cox was as quiet and demure as the
most conservative Quaker.
True, he only attended meetings once
a week, and then it was generally out
of respect for his uncle; but he never
entered into the gay life which had
since shocked the sensibilities of the
Quakers.
Naturally, Bro. Cox took a personal
dislike to the new tenants of the de-
serted cottage on the outskirts of the
village, and he could scarcely conceal
his disapproval of the young girls ae
tions. He felt convinced that she was
at the bottom of all the trouble.
Her snowy dress, pink cheeks, blue
eyes and ripping laughterer suggested
the world too strong for the Quakers
to enjoy.
"She belongs to the world" Bro.
Cox said one day, as he passed her.
''She has no right out here among our
peaceful people. It will be we'll for us
when she leaves"
They were only summer tenants, and
consisted simply of Mrs. Stratton, her
daughter, and two servants. They did
not exhibit much wealth or finery, but
to the plain Quaker their dress and
general appearance seemed altogether
out of propriety.
Then the way Ella laughed, and
tramped over the fields or foot or rode
on horseback, shocked the good house
wives. Jack Cox had known the fam
lily in the city, and he soon joined Ella
In these rides and walks.
1t was from such a simple beginning
that the trouble arose. The old entice-
ment of woman had led the young man
astray, and he was soon looked upon
as being as great a sinner as the fair
temptress.
The two were practically ~ostracized
in the community, and the upright
Ouakers passed them with only a nod
and simple word of greeting. Ella
only wondered, but Jack shrugged his
shoulders.
Bro. Cox was inclined to be more
Ienient than the others. His fields
stretched nearly out to the cottage OF
the Strattons, and he would often stop
in his work to glance at the red house.
One day he paused in his labors, and
looked up to discover the bright face
of Ella Stratton. She vas leaning on
the fence which separated the two
grounds.
Don't you get tired of work, Mr..
Coke" she asked, in a sweet voice. II
do, dreadfully, and you are older than
l am"
The good Quaker Strengthened him
self I'D to his full six feet. He was
still a fne-looking man of City, with
gray locks, a calm, noble face and dark
eyes.
"Work keeps us from mischief" he
answered, seriously.
81 know that, and I suppose you
think 1 ought to be at work now, ana
not standing here to bother you" she
replied.
sit would be better for you," vas
the rather unexpected reply.
The girls cheeks colored a little a.