St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-03-22
Selected Sfnru.
SHE HAD A CALL TO MARRY.

dwelt at the corner of Chestnut and
- streets a certa ain dealer in cheese
and butter, by the name of EphraIm
Prout. He had made a fortune in
the trade and was widely respected.
His aged mother was one of those
distinguished personages who take
their seats upon the platform in the
meeting house, and occasionally, say
once in six months or so, have call
to speak"
And his wife was an industrious
body, as young looking as her own
daughter.
As for that daughter, words can
not describe her. Nature, in pity
for the prejudice which doomed her
to wear sad-hued garments all her
life, had showered upon her all the
brilliant tints upon her palette.
Friend Ephraim's daughter was fair
to look upon.
Perhaps she knew it: for she had
looking-glass, but not one word of
hatterv had she ever heard.
So, week after week, first day
found Bessy at meeting; second day,
busy with household affairs, while
her mother superintendent the wash
ing; third day, ironing; fourth day,
baking: and so on, till the seven
were recounted.
She was twenty-tOur. Twenty
four and not married. Have YOU
asked Friend Hannah Prout why,
she would have said, my daughter
does not yet bake bread as l could
wish, and l cannot allow her to
marry until that is well learned"
Young men who saw Bessy at the
meeting or in her fathers store were
not so calmly Indifferent. More
than one Quaker youth, with a
pleasant appreciation of Bessy's
beauty and thrifty consideration of
her ia ther's wealth, were like Barkis
"willin." But on none of them did
the paternal eye fall with favor.
Ephraim Prout and his wife
Hannah had already selected a
husband for their child. That
husband was to be one Peter Potter,
a widower of forty, who talked and
occasionally preached, and owned
three blocks of Arch street property,
squares" in the parlance of the
Ph1ladelphians.
Often She acquiesced in the maternal
opinion that Friend Peter was a
worthy man. And probably she
would have as calmly acquiesced
that he was the proper husband to
select, when the time came, but for
one unlucky circumstance.
About the middle of Decem ber, just
when Bessy's loaves were beginning
to merit approval, Selma Grief was
married. After passing meeting and
going through the other ceremonies,
the new-made couple gave a house
warming. and thither. of course,
went Bessy, Bessy's mother and
father and Friend Peter.
Thither also came young man Of
the worlds people, one Mr.. John
Hubbard, who wore black coat, a
pair of patent leather boots and
stovepipe hat, and who was regard
ed by the youthful Friends with
feelings of mingled admiration and
terror.
OF course, there was neither sing
ing nor dancing, but they played,
the forfeits being generally kisses.
Mr.. Hubbard enjoyed himself amaz-
ingly. He managed to kiss Bessy
oitener than any one else, and that
night walked home with her.
Questioned by her mother, Bessy
answered:
Il thought it but right to allow
him lest he should think Friends
proud"
So maternal solicitude was put at
rest, and no suspicious were awaken
ed by the fact that Mr.. John Hub
bard soon took an interest in butter
and cheese, conversed with Friend
Ephraim on those subjects with
great animation when they en-
countered each other at that
Friends store, and managed to be
invited home to tea because he
could not leave Friend Ephraim
until he quite comprehended the adj
vantages of the new patent churn.
One evening, Hannah cut the loaf;
and, smiling, turned to her daughter
and said:
'Bessy, thee makes bread as well
as thy mother"
That afternoon was one to be
remembered. The time had come
when Friend Peter might be graf
flied. His wife was ready for him.
A conference was held between the
father and the anxious widower re-
speeding Bessy's pecuniary prospects,
should her future spouse die first,
and the courtship commenced.
The three sat before the fire
Euhraim twiddllng his thumbs,
Hannah darning stockings; 1.-THE
-Bessy-knitting
Ephraim began.
"Bessy."
eyes, father"
Thou art fit to manage a house
of thy own"
~ think so, father"
in fact, it is time thee should
marry"