The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-07-15
THE PASTORS STORY

The clergyman was very prudent
might bring him trouble; then he had
such a sense Of honor that ne was moi
willing to say anything that could BE-
construed into a violation of conf.
dence. AS however, a certain wedding
had been described By the parties
themselves, and the particulars wert
known In the town where he formerly
resided, he thought he might without
improperly tell a party Of other
clergymen the story of old Doctor Ben.
jarnin Tillotson, who, burying three
wives, engaged himself to the only
daughter Of a rich farmer living some
three miles from a certain village.
Miss Maria Cutting had arrived al
the age of maturity, and as far az
years were concerned was fitting
companion for the man who had been
obliged to mourn so much since. TWEEN.
ty years before, he had married his
first wife. Doctor Benjamin Tillotson,
as he was named In the papers-but
cold Doc Ben" In the stores, behind his
back-was a man who was careful to
have his speech, department, dress and
character correct. He was as straight
as an arrow-six feet and two inches
in height-and when he moved along
the street his walk was as measured
as his language.
He desired TO be strictly obedient to
all the proprieties. He always lifted
his hat to the ladies whom he met. At
a dinner party he sat erect, and told
his two or three stories in great detail
and in true Johnsonian style. He had
the greatest admiration for the learned
Doctor Johnson, and regretted the
sharp, brisk, newsy address of the day,
and was as furious as his calm exterior
would permit when any preacher
bordered on pleasantly.
Notwithstanding his adherence to
old customs and manners he was a
most skillful physician. He travelled
far and wide, and whether seen by
night or by day sat erect, holding his
reins tightly, and was never taken at
a disadvantage by even the most spirit.
ed OF his horses.
Once he was thrown out of his sleigh
in passing through snowdrift; his
body even then was not thrown into
hopeless confusion, but maintained its
accustomed posture, and as his horses
were well trained. he never was obliged
TO lose his dignity.
He shaved every morning at break Of
day. and smoothed his hair so careful
ly and mysteriOusly that it was never
cloth suit never had a particle Of dust
on it when he was seen in church, or
when, after long trip, he entered the
house of patient. He was immacu-
late in dress. ceremonious in maDDcr,
measured in speech, and attentive to
the sick.
Maria Cuttings father was an old
gentleman somewhere between eighty
and ninety years of age, and was in
constant need Of medical assistance,
so that Doctor Tillotson was fire.
quent visitor at the Lodge" the home
OF the Cuttings. Maria was q very par
ticular housekeeper, and good man
ager Of the large estate. Since the
death Of her mother and the infirmi.y
of her father, not only lid she attend
to the running Of the house, but to ine
affairs of the dairy and the Invest
ments, all of which were well man
aged.
She was a pronounced lady in wait.
ing-an "nnappropr.ated blessing" as
she loved to call herself. She once said
that as Doctor Ttl.,tson was married,
this fact precluded her from marrying
the only man she ever admired enough
to be willing to take as a husband.
When the doctor became a widower
for the third time, MarIa's admlra.
ton for him seemed to crow less. She
said to an intimate friend that she
could never accept a IaI, however
much she respected ana even loved
him, whose affections lad been given
to so many women, and whose heart
must be beautifully small for the
fourth.
The sudden death OF her father. and
the doctors genuine sympathy, shown
her amid her grief. placed Maria In
peculiar position, and Set her to serious
thinking. She came to the conclusion
that If the doctor proposed she would
accept him. since her loneliness after
her fathers death could not be en-.
dured.
She needed advice in many matters,
and so consulted the trusted physiciDn
the friend OF the fumily--and one
wise in worldly matters, and strict
member OF the church. The doctor
was very prudent in his attentions to
Maria until he discovered her feelings
toward him. The courting must have
been ponderous, and the proposal ex-
pressed in the rotundes, English.
The doctor now and then was seen
with covered buggy, as he travelled
on the road which led to the Lodge
and some sharp-eyed persons reported
that Maria occasionally accompanied
him as he went beyond her ,.ouse to
make professional visits
RumOrg hepnn m sp:oal AZ an n,