Arizona republican., 1894-11-24
UNCLE JOSEPH'S WOOING.
BY SARAH H. GARDNER.


 known by the young and old who ire 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 warning against the tempter.
 As children we regarded Uncle Jo- seph in the light of a patriarch, al though I now know that his years at the time of which write had scarce reached the limit of half century.
 He was comedy man, straight and tall, his smooth-shaven face beam ing with good nature, and his soft blue eyes lighted with sympathy, but he was not intellectual. Slow of movement and uncertain in eXpres- sion, his hearers were often troubled to follow his excellent thought, and it was no uncommon thing for my parents to refer to his ministrations as being s'labored." We had a consciousness, based perhaps upon accidental knowl- edge, that he was uncommonly well to do, and also that there was consid- erable feeling in the society that Sarah Sidney, with her clear insight and facile speech, would be a fit life com panion for the good man. But time wore on, and there seemed no likeli- hood of a realization of this desire.
 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 was 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 a distance, and among the children little unaccustomed duties were distributed I 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. It was always pleasure ble 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 I have all luded meeting broke up somewhat later than usual I hurried home, warmed my chilled fingers and ran up- stairs, where a bright fire was burning. on the hearth. I glanced about to see that the wood box was full and looked out of tke window, where my eye rested upon short line of carriages all bent in the direction of our home. First came father and mother, grand father and the three younger chil- dren, then a vehicle well known to me as that of Elias Chase from Derry as they drew up beside the horse block.
 1 missed Sarah Sidney, who general ly came with Theophilus Baldwin's family, and, having seen her placid face in it's usual place on the seat be- meath the gallery, fronting the meet ing, was at loss to explain her ab- sence. She was tenderly attached to mother, and 1 could not believe any light matter would take her to an others table.
 Agentle voice called me to my duties.
 "Why, Katherine dear, thee must have been very spry to get home be- fore us. was pleased to see thy in terest in the meeting to-day"
 The good woman kissed me and thanked me for the little aid was able to give in unpinning her shawl. Directly afterward, sweet Jane Spen- cer came tripping up the stairs. She was frequently spoken of as exhibit ing "overmuch ardor' in all her good works, but we children loved the en- thusiastic little woman.
 70 Katherine, I am glad to make use of thy quick fingers. My cap strings are sadly awry. I have been most un comfortable in them all through the meeting. Our breakfast was trife late this morning, and we had far tc drive"
 One and another arrived, each witt a thought of me. "How thee grows child," or: Thy mother is blessed 1T her little helpers"
 The room was well-nigh full, whel some one asked the question that hac been trembling on my lips:
 'Where is Sarah Sidney?"
 No one directly replied, but after { moments reflection nearly all had . suggestion or little interest in her tC express.
 ''Methought her face bore traces O anxiety this morning. trust she hal met with no further financial disaster Thee knows, Rhoda, she is benevolen to a surprising degree in one who's purse is not lengthy, and it is there fore serious matter to be forced tt
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