Evening journal., 1912-06-01
Her Choice
By F. A. Mitchell

Quaker widow OF Philadelphia some
200 years ago and but twenty-three
years OF age, pntience's conscience
aud heart were NO tender that when
she found herself obliged to disappoint
or pain any ono she stood stock still.
when shc married Enoch Goodman 1t
was ~ dntiful maid in obedience to
hor fathers mandate. She had pre-
ferred Pardon Fairwonther, but pnren-
tai authority was oil powerful in those
days aud she did not even encourage
him.
when her husband died, As soon
as II was proper for d man to ask her
to be bis wife BenedletIon Turner did
so. Then came Fairweuther, Just one
week later and gays hsr the same in.
vitntion,
There was no parental authority now
for her father was dead and she had
become her own mistress. She found
herself obliged 10 give pain to one of
her suitors. Each urged his suit and
gave her 10 understand that II she re-
fused him be would seek death. Par
don vowed ho would seek 1t in battle
with the indians. who were lurking
nenr the settlements with hostile in
tefit, and Benediction declared that he
would turn pirate.
Patience wns horror stricken at these
threats and almost felt It her duty to
marry Benediction becnuse by turning
pirnlo he would certainly lose ais soul,
which was far more precious than
mans life, but she was unable TO de-
edo upon any course, 10 she kept put
ting her lovers or with one excuse aft
er another I'll they wete worn out With
delay, while she was worn out with
their opportunities.
Finally thoy both agreed that II she
would tell which Of them In her heart
she preferred tho ono whom she did
not prefer would abandon the neld to
the other without laying any blame
upon her. But II was not a matter Of
blame from them, but disinCiination
20 give either OF thcm pain. She de-
oiined To consent TO this proposition,
but said she would pray TO be shown
her duty. She prayed, but no ssgn
came 70 guide her.
One day when abe was making can
dies her two lovers came to her to
sethor, and Benediction said;
Mistress Goodman. by thy indeci
sion thee are giving both OF US pain,
whereas X thee would choose one Of
Us that ono would be happy. We
pray thee therefore TO choose between
Us, naming that one thee would we'd"
The widow heaved a deep sigh, but
aid not reply for some time, evidently
trying to say something and falling
, Finally. taking up a candle In each
hand, she made the following PROPOSE
, tion:
TAKE each Of you one Of these can
! dies, light them at the same moment
and the one that burns the longest
= him will wed"
g Thankful at the prospect Of ending
) the suspense under which thsy lived
each took a candle. They had been
cast In the same mold ana were con
, sequently Of equal length. Each would
burn from two to three hours. The
widow brought her steel and Amt and
, lighting a blaze, touched II 70 each
candle at the same moment Then
2 she told her sultors that when they
/ had burned to the socket Of their can
] dlesticks she would send for them that
Y they might see with their own eyes
which would go out hrst and that one
che would wed.
I'VE need not fear, Patience" said
. Benedlction, that thee will tampel
:, with the candles because thee have
only to choose between US without
! their deciding for you. Therefore We
r may safely leave them in your care"
But" said Pardon. I'VE will come
s IN at the end. that he who is favored
n and he who Is not shall see with hiI
: own eyes"
Benediction went to the wood and
walked back and forth with his hands
q clasped behind his back. sorely disturb
. ed by anxiety During the long pc
Rod OF his uncertainty there was NJ
r suspense like this. Pardon went int
: his library-there we're but two book
In It, the Bible and copy Of Shake
e speares plays-and, taking up the lat
k ter, read q few scenes from "Othello.'
y In this way each passed the time till b.
should be summoned to learn his fate
At last a messenger came from thu
widow that the candles were burning
low. and each sultor repaired to th,
neat kitchen Of Dame Goodman, wher
they were burning. Benediction turn
l. ed white at seeing that his candle wa
J. but half an inch long, while that o
d his rival was an inch. Pardon's coun
IS tenance did not change, but he cast {
A glance aside at the widow.
l. 1T is not meet" groaned Benedic
ton, "that I should remain longe
= here, since It Is certain that / hav
! lost" He went out. the widow still
n keeping her eyes fixed on the door an
70 her hands clasped on her bosom.
Then Pardon went to the table. look
ed first at one candle, then at the 9th
le er, and, seeing a few tiny white grain
D that had been spilled on the dark pol
-s ished wood, bent low to see what the
were.
Il wetting a finger. he put It on tn
p grains and touched It to his tongue
-e he started, his face lighting up wit
,r a look of great happiness. Then
went TO the widow. who stood sti
bent, and put his arms about hel
while her head sank upon his breast.
N The grains on the table were sail
Is Placed on a wick salt causes a candl
to burn slower
q ]