Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-11-21

she had not come away from her hus-
band against 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 a leading of
the Spirit that caused her to come
here e'er the savages fell upon Wy
oming. She, above all others, surely
has reason to be thankful. You
should deal with her, sister, and check
this untoward spirit" said Mistress
Lovejoy sternly. Mistress Prudence
sighed.
Il know not rightly how to do it
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 I'VE spoiled her, and her
husband did the same. Perhaps this
is a punishment to you both" said
Mistress Lovejoy, 1t was we'll that an
interruption just then broke off the
conversation, for a mother, even
though she may criticise her child and
lament her W way Of management,
becomes instantly indignant If any one
else presumes to say the same thing.
Mistress Patience, a bride of a year.
had left her home in Wyoming valley
for a visit with her mother in an
Older settlement. She had begged and
pleaded to make this visit with a will
full demand that would not be denied.
1t was an unusual occurrence. The
journey through the wilderness was
too long and toilsome to think of WIS.,
its. Most Of the mothers who said
farewell to daughters going to pio-
e homes could hardly expect to see
them again. But Mistress Patience
who was anything but patient in spite
of her name-would not submit to this
state of things. She begged and
pleaded to go until her husband-to
whom her lightest wish was law-gave
his consent. He was the more ready
to do this as there were ugly rumors
of alliance between the British tory
forces and the Indians and the settle.
ment of Wyoming, standing on a dis.
puted 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-aged husband,
who treated his young wife like a pet.
ted child. Many of the settlers had
shaken their heads over Mistress Pa.
tience's going. He ought not to let
her do it," they had said. "A wifo's
duty is to stay with her husband. He
ought not to let her 60 away for a
little inconsistencies"
She had known just how lonely it
would be for him after she had gone.
II will only stay a little while. |
will come back soon," she had said
at the parting, regretful at the last
minute for her action. But the saw
age Indians had come down upon he
village of Wyoming and swept it off
from the face of the earth. The houses
were burnt, the people massacred or
carried away captive. Every day
brought a fresh story Of horror. espe.
cially dreadful had been the tale of
John Halcomb and Is companions who
had been carried off and sacrificed In
a sort of religious ceremony, and it is
little wonder that those who watched
his widow in her sorrow and remorse
feared for her reason.
She must be reused. She must see
people. | would make her 60 to the
Thanksgiving service" said Mistress
Lovejoy, She was a notable manager,
and her sisterin-law, with all the VII
lage, were wont to submit to her
sway; and Patience went to the sery.
Ice.
She did not want to 60, but she
obeyed her mothers wishes. She al.
ways obayed In these days. 1t was
me CT the ways In which she was 50
LMM AA