Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-16
Another letter to Philemon q year

Another letter to Philemon a year
later:
DEAR RPHILEMoN-Hasten home, Phile-
mon; / do not like these absences. /
am Just now too weak and fearful
Since we knew the great hope before
us I have looked often In your face
for a sign that you remembered what
this hope cannot but recall to my
shuddering memory. Philemon, Phile-
mon, was l mad? When I think what
I said in my rage and then feel the lit
tie life stirring about my heart, won
der that God did not strike me dead
rather than bestow upon me the great
est blessing that can come to woman.
Philemon. Philemon, IL anything
should happen the child! think Of it
by day, l think Of 1t by night. I know
you think Of it, too, though you show
me such q cheerful countenance and
make such great plans for the future.
Will God remember my words or will
he forget? 1t seems as II my reason
hung upon this question.
A note this time In answer to one
from John label:
DEAR JoHN-Thank you for words
which could have come from nobody
else. My child is dead. Could I ex-
pect anything different? If I did, God
has rebuked me.
Philemon thinks only Of me. We un-
derstand each, other perfectly, now
that our greatest suffering comes In
each others pain. My load I can bear,
but this Come and see me, John, and
tell James our house is open to him.
We have all done wrong, and are
caught in one web Of misfortune. Let
1t make us friends again.
Below this in Philemon's hand:
My wife Is superstitious. Strong and
capable as she Is, she has felt that this
sudden taking off Of our firstborn as q
sign that certain words uttered by her
on her marriage day, unhappily known
to you and, as take 1t, to James also,
have been remembered by the right
eous God above US. This Is a weak
ness which I cannot combat. Can you,
who alone of all the world beside know
both 1t and it's cause, help me by q re-
newed friendship, whose cheerful and
natural character may gradually make
her forget? If so, come like old neigh
bors and dine with us on our wedding
day. If God sees that we have buried
the past and are ready to forgive each
other the faults of our youth, perhaps
He will further spare this good woman.
I think she will be able to bear it. She
has great strength except where lit
tie child Is concerned. That alone can
henceforth stir the deepest recesses OF
her heart.
After this a gap Of years. One, two,
three, four, five children were laid
away to rest in Porchester church
yard, then Philemon and she came to
Sutherlandtown, but not till after the
certain event had occurred, best made
known by this last letter to Philemon:
DEAREST HUsBAND-Our babe Is born,
our sixth and our dearest, and the re-
proach of it's first look had to be met
by me alone. Oh, why did I leave you
and come to this great Boston, where l
have no friends but Mrs. Sutherland?
Did think l could break the spell Of
fate or Providence by giving birth to
my last darling among strangers1
l shall have to do something more
than that If I would save this child to
our old age. It is borne In upon me
like fate that never will child prosper
of my breast or survive the clasp Of
my arms. If it is to live, 1t must be
reared by others. Some woman who
has not brought down the curse OF
heaven upon her by her own blasphe-
mics must nourish the tender frame
and receive che blessing of Its grow
ing love. Neither l nor you can hope
to see recognition in our babes eye.
Before it can turn upon US with love 1t
will close in its last sleep, and we Will
be left desolate. What shall we do,
then, with this little son? To whose
guardianship can we intrust It? Do
you know man good enough or Wo-
man sufficiently tender? do not, but
II God wills that our little Frederick
should live he will raise up some one
by the pang Of possible separation al
ready tearing my heart l believe that
he will raise up some one.
Meanwhile | did not dare to kiss the
child lest | should blight it he Is so
sturdy, Philemon, SO different from all
the other five.
open this to add that Mrs. Suther-
land has just been in with her weeks
old infant. His father is away, too,
and has not yet seen his boy, and this
is their first after ten years Of mar
riage. Oh, that had such confidence
as she In a future of endless delight In
this babe!
The next letter opens with q cry:
Philemon! Come to me, Philemon!
ek,,1o