The times., 1897-08-01
ELIZABETH HADDON,
QUAKERESS.
Her Good Deeds and strange Court
ship.


Antedating the beginning of the eight
teenth cehtary few years there was born
of Quaker parentage In the city OF London
a brigbt-eyed little infant. AS the years
went by. time. as old time sometimes
does, eycIuted the infant into "a woman
1t is OF that woman and her good deeds
On general deeds which the busy his
torian of the day almost ignored-a and
her strange courtship in particular that
the writer would speak.
Looking back now through the dimIned
past of colonial times, il would be difficult
to decide whether it was as poineer,
physician or as philanthrop.st that Eliza
beth Haddon exceIIed Be that as it may,
true womanIy graciousiess shines resplend-
ent from her crown or human achievement
AS girl she was not handsome, but IL IS
chronicied that there was something ek-
treIneiy pleasing in her fresh complexion
ana her bright, intelligent expression. and
it was often remarked by friends OF the
family that she was very peculiar
child
When she was five OF six years old VIII
lam Penn visited her fathers house and de-
scribed some OF his adventures in the great
forests OF North America and with the red
men From that time her doll was named
PocahOntas, aud she swung her kitten IN
a bit Of leather and called it a pappOose-
As she grew older she often spoke OF
the freedom OF life away from cities and
alone with nature Perhaps her infla-
ence more than anything else induced her
father to purchase a tract OF land in New
Jersey, with view of moving 10 the new
world IN the meantime, however, cir-
cuuistanves arose which led the elder
Haddon 70 consider 10 bis duty TO remain
in England The younger daughters were
well pleased 10 have it so, but Elizabeth,
though she apparently acqneSced, had
weight on hes mind
One evening, as the family were about TO
retire. Elizabeth requested them to remain
a while, as she had something OF import
ance 10 communicate. :'Parents and SIS
ters," said she, ''for long time since I've
had 2 strong impression on my mind thatit
is my duty to go to America My sym
pathies have been greatly drawn toward
the poor brethren and sisters there. when
heard fathers proposition to give the
house and land to whosoeyer would occupy
ii, l felt at once that should be that one"
Her mother, with a slight trembling
in her voice, asked her If she had re-
flected well ON the difficulties OF such
an unpreC edented undertaking, and how
ardaous task it would be for a young
woman TO manage a farm OF unbroken
land in a new country Young women
have governed kingdoms, and surely
it requires less wisdom 10 govern
farm, was Elizabeth'S quick reply. q" BnG
it is not so much To cultivate farm as to
be friend and physician to the people in
that wild region that 1 go"
Early in the spIing OF 100 arrangements
were made for her departure. A poor
widow accompanied her as a friend and
housekPeper, and two tTIlsty men servants,
members of the Society OF Friends, also
went along. The house prepared FOR her
reception stood in the middle Of the
forest, several mil es from any other
dwelling, but Elizabeth found too much TO
do TO get lonely.
The neiehboriug Indians seon loved her
as friend, for they found her always
truthful, just and kind; and from her teach
ings they learned much OF siuiple medicines.
So efficient was her skill and so prompt was
her sympathy that for many miles around
il man, woman or child were seriously i'll
they were sure to send for Elizabeth Had
don. And wherever she went her ohsery-
ing mind gathered some new hint fer the
improvement OF dairy or farm. Her house
and her heart We're both large. and a her
residence was on the way &c the Quaker
meeting house in Newtown it soon be
came place OF great popularity TO Friends
oil Of "a
that road, as well rs an asylum for be-
niehted wanderers
One winter evening the sound OF sleigh
bells and crunching OF snow was heard
in the yard, and two strangers entered
To Eliza5eth's great surprise, in the
younger she recognized John Estaugh,
whose preaching had deeply impressed
her when Lat chiIo This was almost
like glimpse OF bone-her dear old
English home. She stepped forward with
more than usual cordiallty, saying: Thou
art welcome, friend Estaugb; the more so
for being entirely unexpected" They
talked much Of England that night
One morning quite a cavalcade started
from her hospitable door, for wagons
were tnen unknown in New Jersey. John
Estaugh, kind as usual in his impulses.
busted himself with helping a lame and
very ugly old woman. and left his hostess
20 mount as best she could. Most young
women would have felt sighted, but not
so with Elizabeth. III is always kindess
To the poor and unfortunate thought she.
truly, he is a good YOUTH
She was leaning over the side OF her
horse TO adjust the buckle Of the giIth,
when he came Up and inquired if any
thing was out of order, and if he could
be OF any service. And then the inborn
duplicity Of the sex had to evidence it.
self even in this remarkable little wo-
man. With slight confusion and a. voice
less calm than her usual utteranee, she
replied: Nothing friend John I was
merely looking to see if Joseph had bGckIed
the girth securely-"
They trotted letsurcIy along behind the
procession OF guests, speaking OF the soil
and climate OF the new country, etc, when
suddenly the girth began TO slip and the
saddle turned so much to one side that
Elizabeth was compelled to dismOunt. It
took several minutes to readiust it, and
when they again started the company were
out of sight There was a brighter coIer
than usual in the maiden's cheeks and an
unwonted radiance in her mild, deep eyes,
and after a short silence there occurred
that which would be considered q breach
of etiquet in ncdern society, for IN a
voice slightly treu.ulous Elizabeth said-
Friend John have q matter of great
importance on Iay mind, and one that in
teTests thee. l am strongly impressed
that the Lord has sent thee 10 me- IA