St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-03-22
"Eriend-Iohn Hubbard"

Eyes, mother. He spoke OF think
ing we'll of me, and suggested that
our lives would be passed happily
together"
'Bessy, thee knows a female
Friend may not marry a young man
of the worlds people. Christie
Brown was read out of meeting for
so doing"
Yes, mother"
We'll, child, since the time has
come for thee to marry, thee will be
| glad 10 know that Friend Peter is
anxious for wife and prefers thee.
| Bessy turned pale.
Friend Peter is worth lot OF
money"
Yes, father"
also he is a Friend"
Yes, father"
"Consequently thee had better
marry him. 1t is now time for thee
! to retire Good night, Bessy."
Good night" with trembling
lip.
So it was settled. 1t never entered
into any ones heart that Bessie was
not used tenderly. And the days
hurried on, one after the other,
toward the first day, on which the
twain were to pass meeting" for
the first time preparatory to the
solemnization OF their nuptials.
1t was Friday. All the week Bessy
| had been a little sad, not quite her
self. The extremely fine ia brio of her
muslin wedding dress did not seem
to interest her as it should have
! done At two she came to her
mother.
| 81 have some little business to at
tend to in Paramount" she said.
And l have been thinking it would
be pleasant thing if Friend Peter
could drive me there in his leathern
| convenience"
| So Friend Peter was summoned.
The light wagon was brought out,
and away they drove.
| Peter discoursed volubly. Bessy
answered quietly. At last the wire
| bridge was crossed and Paramount
| lay before them.
When this was in sight Bessy
spoke.
Friend Peter, thee sees that
white building with green shut
tiers ?"
| Ay, verify 90.
Thee will oblige me by taking
this package and delivering it to
Friend Ann, with my good wishes.
Meanwhile i will hold the reins.
! do not wish to alight."
Friend Peter obediently took the
package and departed.
He staid ten minutes. When he
returned, horse, wagon and lady
| love were gone. He rushed about
| distractedly. No one had seen any
thing.
Peter waddled home. They were
not there. The Quaker mother said
"Be not alarmed, they will return
soon"
But the day passed with no sign.
| So did Saturday.
At ten O'Clock on Saturday even
| ing a noise of wheels was heard.
| Rushing out they found the wagon,
a mulatto boy and a note, but no
Bessy.
In terrible anxiety they tore open
| the missive. 1t was as follows:
DEAR PARENTS AND RESPECTED FRIEND
PETER-I hope you have not been alarm
ed. l am well. Mother knows, 1 pre-
sumo, InaC 1t WOulQ not De easy 10
marry if one felt no call to be united to
Friend Peter. 1 had a call to marry
| John. There is no need of the ceremony
of passing meeting among worlds peo-
pie, so l am already Friend Hubbard.
Suggest to Friend Peter the worthy
widow Ann Billings as wife. She is a
better housewife than /. And let me
know soon that may be forgiven, for
am in grief on account of your alarm
and annoyance.
Your loving daughter,
BEsSY HUBBARD.
Friend Ephraim twisted his
thumbs. Friend Hannah folded her
hands. Friend Peter opened his
eyes and mouth and shook his head
slowly.
At length Hannah said:
Call thy mother, Ephraim."
And Ephraim brought the old
lady down stairs. Nobody said a
word-not one. They gave her the
note. She read, folded, put her
spectacles on tbs table and sat quiet
fifteen minutes, half an hour, an
hour. Then she arose and said:
Il have call to speak. When the
prodigal son returned the father
killed the fatted calf. Bessy is a
naughty child; but verify she desires
forgiveness"
And Bessy was forgiven. Two
Ann. and Mr.. and Mrs. John Hub
bard were guests at the wedding.