The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-11-14
Uncle Joseph's Wooing.

meeting house for many years was
that of Uncle Joseph, for thus was he
known by the young and old who fre-
quented our religious gatherings.
He occupied the second seat in the
mems gallery, and it was with him
that the elder shook hands in sign
that Friends should separate, when it
seemed likely that the spirit would
move no others to utter gentle words
of blessing or stern warming against
the tempter.
As children we regarded Uncle JOS
eph in the light of a patriarch, al
though j now know that his years at
the time of which write had scarce
reached the limit of half century.
He was comely man, straight and
tall, his smooth -shaven face beaming
with good nature, and his soft blue
eye lighted with sympathy, but he was
not intellectual. Slow of movement
and uncertain in expression, his hear
ers we're often troubled to follow his
excellent thought, and it was no I'M
common thing for my parents to re-
fer to his ministrations as being ''la-
bored" We had consciousness, bas-
ed perhaps upon accidental knowl-
edge, that he was uncommonly well to
do, and also that there was consider
able feeling in the society that Sarah
Sidney, with her clear insight and
facile speech, would be fit life COM
panion for the good man. But time
wore on, and there seemed no likeli-
hood of realization of this desire.
I can remember one occasion when
the subject really assumed the impor-
tance that is usually given to gossip,
but it was so lovingly and conscien-
tiously touched upon that Twas great
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 distance, and among
the children little unaccustomed
duties were distributed. 1 was fire.
quently desired to remain for 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 a
pleasurable duty, for Friends never
forget the young, and as each one
grasped my little palm she did not
neglect to speak an encouraging word
to me.
On the occasion to which 1 have
alluded meeting broke up somewhat
later than usual. 1 hurried home,
warmed my chilled fingers and ran up
stairs, where bright fire was burning
on the hearth. l glanced about to see
that the wood box was full and looked
out of the window, where my eye
rested upon short line Of carriages
all bent in the direction of our home.
First came father aud mother, grand
father and three younger children,
then vehicle well known TO me as
that of Elias Chase from Derry Quar-
ter, and thus 1 counted them off as
they drew up beside the horse block.
missed Sarah Sidney, who gener-
ally came with Thcophilus Baldwin,
family, and, having seen her placid
face in its usual place on the seat be-
meath the gallery, fronting the meet.
ing, / was at II loss to explain her alb.
sence. She was tenderly attached to
mother, and could not believe any
light matter would take her to an.
others table.
A gentle voice called mo to my
duties:
'Why, Katherine dear, thee mus
have been very spry to get home be
fore us. / was pleased to see thy in
terest in the meeting today"
The good woman kissed me ant
thanked me for the little aid / wa
able to give in unpinning her shawl
Directly afterwnrd, sweet Jane Spen
Ger came tripping up the stairs. Sh
was frequently spoken OF as exhibit
ing ''oyermuch arlor' in all her goo,
WORKS, but we children loved the Gu
! thusiastlc little woman.