The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-07-27


ABS AW AKENING.
of being admitted to intimate acquaint-
ance with the sect commonly called
Quakers have missed something that
cannot be replaced by any other expert
ence in life. 1t must sorrowfully be
said that the good old-fashioned Qua
kers are rapidly disappearing from the
face OF the earth, and their quaint man
ners, homely ways and simple piety
are rapidly disappearing. Here and
there throughout the country may be
found communities where. this people
dwell and prosper. living blameless
lives. friendly to all,and beloved by ev-
eryone, whether their religious tenets
are accepted or not. In such a neigh
borhood dwells Abner Hollingsworth.
his wife Bethia, and their son and
daughter, Nathaniel and Charity. both
the young members of the family away
from home attending school at the time
of which we write.
One night year ago Abner came
into the living room Of his quiet home
after visit to own, where he had mar
keted his hogs. and handed to his wife
two letters.
Read these. Bethia," he said. II
left my glasses at home this morning,
and what with the wind in my eyes I
could not even read the postmarks."
Then he took off his broad-brimmed
hat and his heavy gray overcoat and
sat down to enjoy the luxury of the
great wood fire that burned in the wide
fireplace. It was a pleasant place to sit
on cold and windy evening. the low
ceiling, the whitewashed walls. and the
warmly tinted rag carpet blending into
a harmonious whole as completely as II
some decorator had originated the
scheme o fthe room.
John and Charity send US word"
announced Mrs. Hollingsworth. after
glancing through the letters. that the
holidays will begin week earlier than
usual this year. and that we may even
look for them home today or tomor-
row at latest
Abner was slowly counting roll Of
bank notes by the light of the fire land
for moment he did not look up
TT gives me Joy to hear that" he
said at last. folding the bills and care
fully replacing them in his ample
leathern pocketbook, for the house
seems lonesome and empty with no
faces in It but thine and mine. sup
pose thee is not ready with store Of
good things for the children when they
arrive?'
ST warrant you they shall not starve.
and am thankful that our larder Is
never empty nor our hearth cold"
EYES,, assented Abner, I'VE have
been prospered in field and flock.
although hogs do not sell for overmuch.
nor do corn and wheat bring what they
should
''still we have plenty answered the
good wife. laying the letters in her lap
and watching the fire with look Of
calm happiness. ''and we should not
complain while there are those who
lack for even necessary things. Cousin
Eunice was over this afternoon and she
says Joseph Martin and his family are
suffering from want and in deep dis
tress because Of his illness. was won
dering II thee and me could not spare
something from pantry and granary
to bring cheer to them"
Abner Follingsworth held up the
hand in which his pocketbook was
clasped and some stern lines came into
his face. Good man AZ he was. his
morality was Of that kind that does
not condone evil deeds OF any kind. and
his sympathtes went not out to anyone
who suffered from his own mistakes.
''As the tree falleth 80 must It life"
he said at last. putting his money IN
his pocket. and Bethia, without a shad-
ow OF disappointment in her face. pick
ed up her neglected knitting and went
on with her work. while silence fell
between the two.
The IRE glowed and nickered in the
fireplace. the wooden clock on the
3mantel licked with that rising and fall
ing volume Of sound that is apparent
when no other sound disturbs the 81
lence. For q long time Abner sat in his
comfortable splint-bottomed chair and
ruminated. Then he noticed his wife
arise and go into the kitchen to prepare
the evening meal and realized that II
was time to attend to his chores and
make things snug for the night. Putting
on his hat and coat he went to the
barn to nnd one Of his horses lyine
In its stall. giving every evidence Of
great pain. Il was but . mile TO the
village and veterinary surgeon, and
without returning to the house he se,
out on foot TO bring relief for the SUI.
.ferfng animal. Just ~ he entered tn
village limits ha met his children walk,
ling home With the intention Of surpris
ling their Dafsnta Thsy stoppsd foi