Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-11-28
AD oId-Time Thanksgiving.


back and our lives are spared" said
Mistress LovejoY Goodwin, bustllng
into the warm kitchen where her sis.
ter.in.law, Mistress PrudsnceGoodwIn,
sat knitting by the fireplace and her
listless daughter. young Mistress Pa
tience Halcomb, bent languidly over
the spinning wheel.
Mistress Prudence made sign for
silence, but it was too late. The face
of the pale young widow grew whittier,
and without word she rose and glidsd
away.
Mistress Lovejoy looked at her sister
in law inquiringly.
"Hath she not yet become reconciled
to the decree of God2' she asked.
Mistress Prudence shook her head.
May" she said. "she saith ever
that it is not by the decree OF God she
suffers, but by her own willfulness. Ii
she hal not come away from her hus-
band againat his desires-so she saith
ever-she would at least have died
with him.
That is wicked repining, said the
aunt sententiously. "She ought to be
dealt with by the meeting. She
should be thankful that her life was
spared when her neighbors were taken.
Doubtless it was leading of the Spirit
that caused her to come here eer the
savages fell upon Wyoming. She,
above all others, aurely has reason to
be thankful. You should deal with
her, sister, and check this untoward
spirit" said Mistress Lovejoy sternly.
Mistress Prudence sighed.
II know not rightly how to do 1t
when she is in such SORROW" she said.
"She hath ever been a willful and I'm.
reasonable child, but a very loving
one."
"You have ever spoiled her, and
her husband did the same. Perhaps
this is punishment to you both,
said Mistress Lovejoy.
Mistress Patience, bride of a year.
had left her home in Wyoming valley
for visit with her mother in an older
settlement. She had begged and
pleaded to make this visit with will.
ful demand that would not be denied
It was an unusual occurrence. The
Journey through the wilderness was
too long and toilsome to think Of visits.
Most of the mothers who said farewell
TO daughters goiag to pioneer homes
could hardly expect to see them again.
But Mistress Patience-who was any
thing but patient in spice of her name
not submit to this state of
things. She begged and pleaded to 20
until her husband-to whom her light
ast wish was law-gave his consent.
he was the more ready to do this as
there were ugly rumors Of alliance be-
tween the British tory forces and the
Indians, and the settlement of Wyom.
ing. standing on disputed tract, and
not SO well protected as other regions,
was peculiarly liable to attack. But
Mistress Patience did not know this or
she would not have gone. She was
very much in love with this grave,
middle-sged husband, who treated bis
young wife like psttsd child. Many
Of the settlers had shaken their heads
over Mistress Patience's going. che
ough. not to let her do it, they had
aid.
'"I will only stay little while.
will come back soon," she had said al
the parting. regretfui at the last min.
ute for her action. But the savagt
Indians had come down upon the vii
lage Of Wyoming and sweptit off from
t be face of the earth. The houses wer,
burnt. the people msssacred or carried
away captive. Every day brought q
fresh story of horror, especially dread.
full had been the tale of Johu Hal
comb and fifteen companions who hac
been carried off and sacrificed in
sort of religious ceremony.l
"She must be reused. She mus
see people. I would make her 90 t.
the Thanksgiving service said Mis-
trsss Lovejoy. She was a notsbl
manager, and her sister-iu-law, Wit
all the village, were wont to submit t
her-sway; and Patience went to tn
service. s.There can never more be
day of Thanksgiving for me-. sh
thought dreatily, as she sat in ne
widows weedl in the square Wo0de'
pew.