Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-04-15

"And thee has seen It all! Oh.
think ! shall die II may not see Il.
tool"
Possibly you may when you are
grown up"
Grown up? do not think shall
ever be very large"
well, you have the most of your
life before you at any rate. No one
knows what may happen; but let me
say you will never be any safer or
happier than you are right here"
Would thee like to go to our meet
ing?" said Mrs. Russell, the next Sab
bath morning. 1T may be silent
meeting; we can never tell. But. may
hap. thee would find it helpful"
Certainly I'll go. May l ride my
wheel?"
"Thee might, but I wish thee
wouldn't. 1t savors too much of the
world for the Lords day. don't thee
think? There is room in the wagon
with US, and thee is very welcome.
Thank you; l will come with you.
But why is one wheel more worldly
than four wheels?"
Gentle Mrs. Russell thought a mo-
ment, and said, with a smile:
Really, friend, / cannot tell, only a
wagon does not appear SO unseemly;
at least, it does not attract SO much at
tention."
1t babe fair to be a silent meeting in
deed, save for the song and twitterings
of birds in the trees. The men sat on
one side of the white-walled room, en-
joying, perhaps, the only wakeful hour
of absolute rest they had during the
busy summers week; the women sat
in long rows opposite, looking so de-
mure and spotless in their soft gray at
tire, that it seemed to the critical world
ling who watched them that they could
have no sins to repent Of, no shortcom-
ings to bewail.
The silence was growing oppressive
when an old man rose slowly in his
place, and with closed eyes, and hands
clasping the rail in front of him, be-
gan to speak. After he had ended
few moments silence seemed to he the
benediction, and all arose, gravely
shaking hands, feeling strangely
strengthened and comforted.
I'm glad Friend Royce felt called
upon to speak to-day" said Mrs. Rus
sell, on the way home. Its a help
full thing to be instructed by one so
near to the Kingdom as he is. He's
eighty-two years old, and has always
lived in the faith. Did thee enjoy the
meeting, friend?"
Il was much interested in it, Mrs.
Russell"
The young people sat on the porch
that night, watching a glowing sunset.
IF it is wicked to love gay and beau
tiful things" Rachel said, why does
the sky look like that?''
MY dear child, it is right to love
all beautiful things! Who says It is
wicked?"
i've always wanted a dress, pink,
like that palest bit of cloud there, but
it would be sinful for me to wear it; it
is sinful for me to want one, or bon
net with flowers on it,"
Rachel is getting some vain no.
tions," said her brother. II feel some
times that the Friends are too strict.
though / ought not to say it."
The mother came out and sat in the
look of full content and serenity that
the restless questioning died away, and
over them all settled the holy peace of
the Sabbath evening.
The following week there was excite
ment in the little hamlet. 1t was caused
by a marriage; and not only the kim
dred but the near neighbors were bid
den to it, as a matter of course.
"Thee was specially mentioned,
Friend White" said Mrs. Russell, when
Fred declined going. They are not
of our people, but they are very wor-
thy. They would feel hurt If thee did
not come"
And SO he walked with his hostess
and her daughter to the wedding. feel
ing half amused, and half impatient
with himself for being decidedly her
vous. The simple ceremony was soon
over, and the cake and currant wine
passed, and then in the smiling sun
shine the bridal party rode away to
their new home across the hills to the
westward.
Rachel had been intently curious.
She had hardly breathed during the
service, and her cheeks were rose-red,
and her eyes almost black. But as she
sat on the porch after tea she looked
unusually pale and weary. Here little
hands were clasped, and she was watch
ing the fading light. At last she said
slowly:
Twill thee be married some time,
Friend Whittier"
Fred started at the unexpected ques-
ton.
why, don't know, child. Possibly
may"
Marriage is a solemn thing, isn't
it? And beautiful"
Solemn, certainly, and hope beau
tiful to those who engage in the vent
ure. Do you ever expect to marry,
little one?"
II cannot say. That is as the Lord
Wills"
you will make a sweet wife for some
fortunate man in a few years. And
will send you beautiful wedding pres
ent, with my best wishes"