A Colonial Wooing
BY DR. ABBOTT
THE BIRDS ABOUT US. Seventy,
five illustrations, izmo, cloth, $2.00.
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A Colonial Wooing
By
Charles Conrad Abbott, M.D.
PHILADELPHIA
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
MDCCCXCV
COPYRIGHT, 1895,
BY
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY.
PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A.
RECALLING THE SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE FORTUNES
OF RUTH AND JOHN WERE SO EARNESTLY DIS-
CUSSED, IT SEEMS AS FITTING AS IT IS
PLEASANT TO DEDICATE THIS
STORY TO
THE FRIEND
WHOSE INTEREST THEREIN URGED ME TO
WRITE WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN.
C. C. A.
APRIL 10, 1895.
1782150
Contents.
Chapter I. PAGB
A Fruitless Discussion 19
Chapter II.
New to the Neighborhood 29
Chapter III.
" There's Many a Slip, etc." 39
Chapter IV.
Too Much about Nothing 48
Chapter V.
A Worse Fate threatened 60
Chapter VI.
A Letter from England 69
Chapter VII.
The Sale of the Shallop 79
Chapter VIII.
The New Partnership 91
Chapter IX.
The Reply to the Letter 103
CONTENTS
Chapter X.
Ruth and her Cousin
Chapter XI.
The New Year .............. 130
Chapter XII.
Straightening the Lines ........... 144
Chapter XIII.
A Visit to Burlington ........... 153
Chapter XIV.
Plots and Counter-plots ........... 165
Ch'apter XV.
Music in Meeting ............. 174
Chapter XVI.
The Departure of Ruth .......... 189
Chapter XVII.
A Night on the Creek ........... 199
Chapter XVIII.
Robert defies Matthew ........... 212
Chapter XIX.
A Committee calls upon John Bishop ...... 222
Chapter XX.
All's Well that ends Well ......... 234
8
Introduction
i.
THERE was a strange silence everywhere, as
is not uncommon in the month of August,
for now the promises of summer had been
made good, and the world is at rest. Not a
leaf stirred, and, except the plaintive note of
some far-off bird, I could hear only my own
foot-falls. The trees and fields and shaded
winding lane were as I had seen them last,
when darkness shut them in, but now, in the
early morning, it seemed as if the sun had
brought sad tidings. It has always appeared
to me that August days are days for retro-
spection, and that the mind is supersensitive
at such a time. It takes notice of those
things which in the hurry and clatter of
June are overlooked. This is no mere
whim, and on this occasion the effect was
9
INTRODUCTION
to convince me that something unusual had
happened or was about to occur.
I had heard of an oaken chest, with huge
brass clamps, and to-day set out to find it.
There was not a wagon to be seen when I
turned from the lane into the township road,
and so I had the dusty highway to myself, a
furthering of my fancy. Even more lonely
was the wood-road into which I turned, and
of late it had been so little used, it was as
much the meeting-ground of bird-life as of
humanity. Everywhere it was shaded by
cedars of great age or by elms under which
the moss had grown since colonial days.
Along this ancient way the rambler has
little to remind him of the changes wrought
in the passing century. What few houses
are passed in the course of a long walk are
old-time structures, and more than one has
been abandoned. The reason was plain :
the land is poor, and whatever inducements
were held out to the original settlers had not
been continued to the fifth and sixth genera-
tions. Still, not all the tract had reverted to
forest. A little garden-plot about each of
INTRODUCTION
the cottages that were occupied was still held
back, by spade and hoe, from the encroach-
ments of wild growth, and in the last cot-
tage to be reached, surrounded by every
feature of an old-fashioned garden, lived
Silas Crabtree. As a child I had feared him,
and now I both disliked and admired him ;
why as is so often the case I could not
tell.
The man and his house were not unlike.
The cottage was a long, low building, one
and a half stories high. A window on each
side of the door barely showed beneath the
projecting roof of a narrow porch extending
the full length of the front. There was a
single step from the porch to the ground.
From the roof projected two squat dormer
windows. The shingles were darkened by
long exposure, and patches of moss grew
about the eaves. Silas was like this. The
windows and door and long low step recalled
his eyes, nose, and mouth, overtopped by
low projecting brows and unkempt hair, that
were well represented by the cottage roof
with its moss and dormers. So far the house
INTRODUCTION
and its solitary inmate ; but the open well
with its long sweep, the clump of lilacs, the
spreading beech with initials cut long years
ago, these were a poem.
While the day was yet young, I passed
by, and Silas was sitting on the porch. The
quiet of this month of day-dreams was un-
broken. The cat-bird hopped about the
grass, but was mute ; a song-sparrow was
perched on the topmost twig of a dead
quince-bush, but did not sing ; a troop of
crows was passing overhead in perfect
silence. Feeling more strongly than ever
the moodiness of the morning, I strove to
break the spell by shouting, with unnecessary
emphasis, " Good-morning, Uncle Silas."
With a sudden start the old man looked up
and stared wildly about him. Straightway the
cat-bird chirped, the sparrow sang, and from
over the tree-tops came the welcome cawing
of the crows. Even a black cat came from
the house and rubbed its arched back against
Silas's knees. The spell was broken, and
the old man growled (for he could not talk
as other men), " I'm glad you've come."
12
INTRODUCTION
"Oh, I was only passing by; were you
asleep?"
" Sleepin' or not, I was thinkin' of you.
Come in."
Stepping rather reluctantly into the yard,
I sat down on the floor of the porch near
Silas, for he did not offer to get me a chair,
and waited for him to speak.
" As a boy," said Silas, in softer tones than
I had ever heard before, " you had a grudge
again' me, as your father had again' mine,
and your grandpap again' mine, and so on
away back. It never showed much, that I
know of, but the feelin' was there : and yet
we started even, for my folks came from
England as long ago as yourn.
" But there's no Crabtree besides me, and
I wanted to get things in shape, for there's
some would like the old cottage that ain't
goin' to get it. I don't know that there's
any more to tell you." And Silas looked
out towards the road and into the woods
upon its other side.
I kept my seat. I could not do other-
wise. The Silas of to-day was not he whom
13
INTRODUCTION
I had known in years past. Although there
was no evidence of it in the old .man's
words, I was convinced he had reference to
me as his heir ; but what of that ? He
might change his mind a dozen times, for
he was not so very, very old, not much, if
any, over eighty ; and what, indeed, had he
to leave*?
Many minutes passed, and then, as I made
a slight movement, merely to change my
position, Silas spoke in the same strangely
softened voice. " Don't go, don't go ; there's
one thing more " He suddenly paused,
and stared, with a wild look, directly at me.
The silence was painful ; his strange appear-
ance more so. In a moment the truth
flashed across me : he was dead.
II.
I was not surprised to learn, immediately
after the funeral, that I had been left the sole
legatee of the man whose death I had
witnessed. When I took formal possession
of the cottage and its contents, I entered
the house for the first time in my life. To
INTRODUCTION
cross the threshold was to step backward
into colonial times. How true it is that it
needs at least a century to mellow a house
and make it faintly comparable to out-of-
doors !
The hall-way of the Crabtree cottage was
neither short nor narrow, but you got that
impression from its low ceiling and the dark
wooden walls, which time had almost black-
ened. Lifting a stout wooden latch, I
passed into the living-room, with its ample
open fireplace, long unused, for a little air-
tight stove had done duty for both cooking
and heating for many years. This was the
only innovation : all else was as when its
first occupant had moved into the "new"
house and given over the log hut to other
uses. The high-backed settle, the quaint,
claw-footed chairs, a home-made table, with
bread-trough underneath, seemed never to
have been moved from their places since
Silas's mother died. These made less im-
pression than would otherwise have been the
case, because with them was a very old and
mysterious-looking desk. It was a bureau
15
INTRODUCTION
with five brass-handled drawers, and above
them the desk proper, concealed by a heavy,
sloping lid. The dark wood had still a fine
polish, and the lid was neatly ornamented
with an inlaid star of holly wood. It, with
the three-plumed mirror on the wall above
it, was the eclipsing feature of the room.
All else, well enough in its way, seemed
commonplace. Drawing a chair in front of
the desk, I sat down to explore it, but was
bewildered at the very outset. Lowering the
lid, the many pigeon-holes, small drawers,
and inner apartment closed by a carved
door, took me too much by surprise to let
me be methodical. Everywhere were old,
stained papers and parchments, some so very
old the ink had faded from them ; but there
was no disorder. At last, knowing it was
no time to dream, I drew out a bundle of
papers from a pigeon-hole, and noticed in
doing so that a strip of carved wood, which I
had taken for ornament, slightly moved. It
proved to be a long and very narrow drawer,
and this again had a more carefully hidden
compartment in the back, as a narrow line in
16
INTRODUCTION
the wood showed. Peering into this, I found
a scrap of paper so long and closely folded
that it fell apart when opened ; but the
writing was still distinct. It was as follows :
" It is his Excellency's, Genl. Howe's express
order, that no person shall injure Silas Crab-
tree in his person or property." It was duly
signed, countersigned, and dated Dec'r 9,
1776. So Silas, the great-grandfather, had
been a Tory ! I was prepared now for
revelations of any kind. To look quietly
over papers, one at a time, was too prosy an
occupation, and the suggestion that there
might be more secret drawers was followed
until every nook and cranny had been laid
bare, and there were many of them.
The next day, as the place could not be
left unguarded, I moved the old desk to my
own home, and placed a tenant in the
cottage ; and now, there is not a scrap of
paper among all that the desk contained
that I have not read, and my comment is :
colonial days were not so very unlike those
of the present time. It is true, our ances-
tors' surroundings were very different, and
2 17
"
INTRODUCTION
much that was then accounted a luxury is
now an absolute necessity, or so we think ;
but of one condition there can be no dispute,
human nature was the same.
Among the many papers that had been so
long preserved there chanced to be that rarest
form of old documents, a journal. Almost
two centuries ago, an eye-witness of the
occurrences to be narrated made brief men-
tion of the part he took therein. These,
with various memoranda, which threw more
or less light upon fhe doings of those days,
were rolled together and enclosed in a quaint
red leather wallet, from which the silver
clasp had been taken ; and from these time-
worn records, which are still preserved, I have
gathered the essential features of the story of
Ruth Davenport, who in fact, and not merely
in the author's fancy, was known to many as
a " Quaker Fairy."
18
A Colonial Wooing
Chapter I.
A Fruitless Discussion.
" MOTHER, John has spoken "
" Daughter, father will not approve "
"Of John's having remarked it is a
pleasant day *?"
" I supposed that thee meant that he
had"
"Suggested so serious a matter as my
taking up "
" Daughter, thee is strangely giddy "
" Mother, is thee not strangely hasty to
suppose "
" Ruth, dear, let me "
" Yes, mother ; but first let me "
Both talked so nearly at once that it might
be said that neither listened, and now a word
'9
A COLONIAL WOOING
as to who these people were, this mother and
daughter who apparently agreed only to dis-
agree. It stands recorded in the minutes of
an English Monthly Meeting of the Society
of Friends that in the year 1666 Edmund
Davenport, of Ayton, and Anne Pearson, of
Monthorp, were married ' at Kirby Grindale.
Their daughter Ruth was born twelve years
after; and it is further on record that her
mother, widowed but a year, married Mat-
thew Watson, and in 1682 emigrated to
America, and thirteen years later, having
weathered all the privations of those primitive
times, Ruth was a well-grown girl of seventeen
and her mother a well-preserved woman of
fifty. Constant toil, some anxiety, and a
scarcely concealed longing for her old home
across the sea had told upon the mother,
and she would have been judged to be older
than she really was when seen, as she was
this bright October afternoon, busy with the
much needed mending of various garments,
for there were now two boys to care for.
Thus occupied, Anne Watson was more
disposed to look backward and recall the
20
A COLONIAL WOOING
brighter days long gone, and who can
indulge in retrospective thought without its
sobering the countenance, when the present
ill compares to the past? Not that the
woman was positively unhappy, but she
had opposed the suggestion of coming to
America, when broached, and yielded with
but a mere show of grace. In short, in
spite of much effort and prayer, she could
not quite overcome her disappointment ; and
then Friend Stacy had seen the country from
a man's point of view, and the acquiring of
an estate being six-sevenths of his thought,
he had grossly misrepresented the country,
and there were endless hardships that the
woman had to endure for years after their
arrival. Matthew Watson, too, was wholly
engrossed in the same worldly occupation of
acquiring an estate.
To be poor and yet a Friend was simply
a contradiction. Inability to acquire wealth
argued an understanding too feeble to
appreciate the teachings of George Fox.
Business, the concerns of the world, may
perhaps not have been quite six-sevenths of
A COLONIAL WOOING
the Friends' concerns, but it would seem as
if as much effort was required to shake the
dust from their shoes, when they entered
meeting on the first day, as to shake the
worldliness from their thoughts. How else,
then, can we explain the remark during silent
meeting one fifth day morning of Mahlon
Stacy, when, hearing a loud clap of thunder,
he muttered audibly, " Tut-tut-tut ! my hay."
Duty had brought him from the meadow to
the meeting, but at a critical moment had left
him in the lurch.
But more than all else that had sobered
Ruth's mother was Ruth herself; for, as
events in the past had proved, the mother
was conscientiously a Friend and accepted
Fox implicitly as her teacher and guide, and
now as her daughter approached woman-
hood, she essayed, but in vain, to have her
like unto herself. Ruth, although surrounded
by Quaker influences all her life, soon began
to make, so the world holds, the fatal mis-
take of thinking for herself. While never
disobedient as a child, she was always inde-
pendent, and the excellence of her judgment
22
A COLONIAL WOOING
caused frequent comment among her elders,
but not dissociated with the fear that she
might, by her too great self-reliance, prove
something of a thorn in her parents' flesh
in years to come. Her comely figure, the
grace of every movement, and the brightness
of dark-blue eyes that the hideous bonnet
of those bigoted days could not conceal,
caused many a young head to be turned as
she entered meeting, and this the elders, in
sober array in the gallery, had too often
noticed not to hint at the unseemliness of
the habit. " It is a concern upon my mind
that we should restrain our children more ;
their thoughts are too much of this world
and too little of their souls' salvation,"
Friend Stacy had recently remarked, and Ruth
had severely criticised him when she reached
home. "Why should we be restrained
from loving that which is neither a device
of man nor the devil. There is color, music,
gayety everywhere, except in our houses, and
yet we are asked to turn our backs upon it.
That's what his sermon amounts to. I can
look, without offence, at a blooming rose, if
23
A COLONIAL WOOING
it is out of reach, but must not pick it or
put it on my kerchief. Mustn't indeed ! I
will." And with this vehement protest Ruth
darted from the house, and before her parents
could recover their astonishment, returned
with an apron-full of scarlet autumn leaves
and scattered them over the kitchen floor;
then standing in front of her mother, who
looked ill with fright, asked, " Would thee
have the whole world steeped in dust and
dinginess ; never a blue sky or a rosy sunset *?
Always clouds above and bare ground be-
neath *? Oh, for the gay cousins that we have
in England, for which thee feel so much
concern ! How I would like to see them !"
And again away she flew like a frightened
bird, seeing that at last she had overtaxed her
father's patience and he was about to speak.
An hour later, when he came in, evidently
with a fixed determination to sternly rebuke
his step-daughter, he found her demure as the
soberest " Friend" in all Chesterfield, and
with " No Cross, No Crown," lying opened
upon her lap. She looked up with the
merest trace of a smile lighting her face, and
24
as it had always been, he was moved to say
nothing. Matthew Watson was proud of
his step-daughter and afraid of his neighbors,
but could not have been forced to admit it.
He had heard more than one comment that
inwardly moved him, yet deemed it prudence
not to speak in her defence. His standing
in meeting might be affected. It had been
soberly stated that the sun shone about her
even when the day was cloudy, and that she
needed no taper when she retired. Such was
the gossip of meddlesome old women, and
Matthew Watson had heard of the witchcraft
in New England and was a little troubled ;
but he was an elder in meeting and must
hold his peace. Not so Ruth's mother.
She dared speak, at least in her own house,
and so that same bright October afternoon
she finally gained her daughter's attention
and spoke her mind freely.
" Ruth, I insist that thee shall listen. Thee
knows full well thy conscience troubles thee,
and yet thee will riot heed the warnings of
the inward voice."
" But, mother "
A COLONIAL WOOING
"Do not speak, dear, until I have done.
Thee cannot in thy soberer moments acquit
thyself for such light conversation and "
" And what ?" asked Ruth, as her mother
paused for a moment, opening her magnifi-
cent eyes to the fullest extent and gazing
into her mother's face.
" And conduct towards John."
Ruth had been sitting on a low stool at
her mother's feet during the conversation, but
when she heard these words, she sprang to
her feet and repeated them with an emphasis
suggestive of mingled indignation and sur-
prise.
" Conduct towards John ! Why, 1 have
known him since almost a baby, and never
a word of this until now. What has been
said to thee about us, or what has thee or
father noticed that I should be so strangely
taken to task ?"
" Does thee not know that John is much
impressed by thee*?"
" No, mother, nor is he aware of it, nor is
thee, nor is any one except the idle busybodies
that have crept into our scattered neighbor-
26
A COLONIAL WOOING
hood, or were here before we came. The
only impression I ever made on John Bishop
was when I jumped from the overturning
boat and landed on his feet. I noticed he
limped for half an hour afterwards."
" Ruth, Ruth, will thee never be serious ?"
asked her mother, in despair.
" Never, mother dear, when thee persists in
talking in such a way. John Bishop has his
shop to look after, and I do not believe his
business is so flourishing that he is thinking
of a wife. Thee need not fear my friendly
greeting, when we happen to meet, will cause
him to lose his heart, and I have yet got
mine in my own keeping. Why, mother,
I'm but seventeen and he is must be thirty.
Really, you seem to be putting such ideas in
my head in hopes that I will soon marry and
leave you. Do you want me to leave you,
mother dear, so very, very soon 1 ?" And
again those deep blue eyes opened widely
and pleaded, as usual, far more eloquently
than any words.
" Indeed, I do not, Ruth, as thee should
know ;" but Ruth felt that perhaps her mother
27
A COLONIAL WOOING
had given such a thought some consideration
and was not disposed to listen further. Kiss-
ing her mother while she was yet speaking,
she turned suddenly and left the room.
Chapter II.
New to the Neighborhood.
EASY communication with Philadelphia,
by water, had made it so practicable for the
settlers of the back country, as the valley of
Crosswicks Creek was then called, to procure
such household articles and farm utensils as
were needed, that so early as 1695 only
grist-mills had as yet been established, and
these were few and far between. The Indian
mortars were still in common use, and he
was the thriftiest settler who was the best me-
chanic and could most easily depend upon
himself. The ordinary divisions of labor
outside the village of Philadelphia were prac-
tically wanting, and so it was a decided nov-
elty, and hailed as evidence of better days
when perhaps a village would centre about
some convenient point, when John Bishop
and William Blake built a wheelwright-shop
and smithy at a sharp bend of the winding
29
A COLONIAL WOOING
road that led from the forest and scattered
plantations of Burlington County, where it
crossed the creek and continued to the river.
It was a particularly pleasing feature of the
neighborhood to those who were keenly bent
upon acquiring an estate, because it was
evidence of a steady and healthy growth of
the scattered community, and it was hailed
with keen delight by the descendants of those
earliest settlers, English, Swedes, and Dutch,
who, having provided for their few wants,
were pleased to have a lounging-place ; and
so it came about that at Bishop and Blake's
those who for the time being might be idle
were soon wont to congregate.
Skilled workmen were then more promi-
nent in the social world than now. Not that
labor has ever lost its dignity, but wealth had
not yet become the arrogant tyrant of to-day ;
and among the Friends some calling was
required of every one. There was but one
profession open to them, medicine, and but
few had the opportunity, even if the inclina-
tion, to devote themselves thereto. To have
a trade was a necessity; to be apprenticed
30
A COLONIAL WOOING
and learn to work with hands as well as head
the experience of every boy. To master the
trade's secrets, to become a skilled workman,
was, in short, to become a successful man ;
one that commanded, and deservedly so, the
respect of his fellows.
Wheeled vehicles were not a prominent
feature of the public roads at this time, and
Bishop and Blake had but few carts to build
or mend, but still they were not idle. They
offered their services in every way as good me-
chanics, and there was enough simple furni-
ture to be made and of miscellaneous repairing
to keep their tools bright. The shop itself
was a primitive affair, a long, low wooden
shed, built of squared logs, and not unlike in
general appearance many a dwelling in the
lonely valley. There were two features, how-
ever, that appealed to every one who passed
by. During summer and early autumn a
superb, spreading oak near the shop door cast
a welcome shade, wherein the lounger was
well content to linger, and a roomy fireplace
with its rude forge, that defied the most
earnest efforts of winter to make the place
31
A COLONIAL WOOING
cheerless even when storms raged without.
An all-pervading evidence of welcome greeted
every comer, and a stranger was hailed with
demonstrations of delight. Communication
with the outside world, and especially with
England, was infrequent, and a letter from
across the sea would often be read to those
gathered under the oak, with but scanty
omission of strictly private matter. Natu-
rally every unusual occurrence among the
settlers was quickly known to all, and so
every prolonged conversation ultimately
turned upon the future of the province.
As the warm October sunshine brings the
bees and wasps to our south windows, where
they busily hum and buzz as if they had the
cares of the world upon their shoulders, so,
this pleasant afternoon, it had brought several
of the neighbors to the front of the shop,
some with a purpose and, as usual, others
without one. Among the former was Mat-
thew Watson, to take away a mended tool
that he had left, and as he was passing from
the door he gave a disapproving glance at
the little knot of idlers, as he thought them
32
A COLONIAL WOOING
who were standing about the old oak's gnarly
trunk. As these few men were quite uncon-
scious of any impropriety in congregating
as they had done, they gave no heed to Friend
Watson beyond a pleasant greeting, and so
were the more surprised that he should in-
terrupt their conversation.
" Is it not most unseemly," he asked, " to
idle away such precious time, when the
season is so favorable for labor? Is it
possible that you have no greater concern
upon your minds than idle gossip*?"
" I was not aware, Neighbor Watson," re-
marked Robert Pearson, with some excite-
ment, "that either I or these friends were
idling our own time ; and what if it were
true, for you have yourself said it was our
own time that was passing, and so not yours,"
giving emphasis to the " you" and " yours"
with evident satisfaction, for Robert was a
churchman of a belligerent stamp.
Matthew Watson had been so successful
in worldly affairs that he had become in a
measure dictatorial, as is so often the case,
and this unfortunate feature had gradually
3 33
A COLONIAL WOOING
intensified as his views of religion became
more and more pronounced. Possibly he
would not have burned a church or hanged
a churchman, but he would have removed
them from the province to the nearest desert.
Robert Pearson had turned his back upon
his neighbor when he ceased speaking, and
was about resuming his conversation that had
been so strangely interrupted, when it oc-
curred to him that he would still further
speak his mind, and, facing about, added,
"I am as much bound by my interests
to this country as you are, hold as many
acres, pay as large a tax, and trust I have a
right to expect as much respect from my
fellows. We were talking of a project that
concerns us all, that of building a draw-
bridge over the creek, where the ferry now
is. You know the ford was but a poor
accommodation, and now the ferry is little
better. A bridge would be greatly to our
advantage."
" I do not know that the ferry has ever
failed to bring me over safely," remarked
Matthew, in a haughty tone, for his anger
34
A COLONIAL WOOING
still glowed under the thin covering of non-
resistant principles.
" Nor has it failed me ; but in winter, as
you know, we have to trust to the uncertain
ice at times, and that was nearly an accident
when the ice broke behind your cart instead
of under it. Your memory is short."
" I trust it will never become as short as
thy tongue is flippant," Matthew replied, and
moved away.
" Do, friends, do be guarded in your con-
versation, lest Friend Watson take offence,"
exclaimed William Blake, running, bare-
headed, from the shop. " He may prejudice
the neighbors and so we lose their trade."
"Don't worry on that score, William,"
replied Robert Pearson ; " the whole province
is not made up of Quakers, not even this
township of Chesterfield, and, thank good-
ness, all are not of the stamp of Matthew
Watson."
'* I know, I know ; but, friends, I've forty
pounds silver money in this venture and John
has but ten, and it weighs upon me that we
may not succeed."
35
A COLONIAL WOOING
His hearers laughed heartily at the poor
fellow's fears and began teasing him, when
his partner, John Bishop, walked from the
shop door. The little group at once turned
towards him as he approached, for he was,
though a young man, one that commanded
the respect of all who knew him. The
influence of his presence is not readily ex-
plained. There was nothing in his manner
in the nature of a demand except for that
respectful treatment that all true men ask for
themselves; but beyond this was a subtle
something, a look, a tone, a motion, what
you will, that attracted attention and excited
admiration. Of medium height, properly
proportioned, with delicate features, but with
chin so far prominent and square as to in-
dicate firmness, yet without a trace of ob-
stinacy ; in short, a man capable of forming
an opinion, and not incapable of relinquishing
it if convinced of its defectiveness. In other
words, John Bishop was a superior man ;
one that would be looked to, if not always
as a leader, at least as one to whom it is
desirable to listen should he see fit to speak.
36
A COLONIAL WOOING
" William, thee left an iron in the fire that
is far more likely to suffer than thy forty
pounds." And taking the hint, John's timid
partner slipped quietly back to the shop and
was seen no more. Turning then to Robert
Pearson, John continued, " Let us counsel
patience when we have so much to do to
make our community a success, and certainly
anything like a quarrel is a step backward."
Robert said nothing in reply, and while it
was plain that he was annoyed and took the
reproof as a disguised threat, it was equally
evident that he would be very slow to pick a
quarrel with John Bishop, than whom there
was no more peaceful man in the province,
and yet none that would more promptly face
danger if the necessity arose. To these gifts
should be added a happy quickness of wit
that grasped an awkward situation promptly
and placed others at ease more quickly than
their own efforts would have done. " You
were talking of the ferry, I think, so let us
walk down to it now, and on the spot we
can better plan for the change to a bridge, if
determined upon." And the group started for
37
A COLONIAL WOOING
the creek, John Bishop and Robert Pearson
taking the lead.
It was but a short distance, a small fraction
of a mile, and in a few minutes these earnest
men were standing on the east bank of the
creek, which, after curving and twisting
through the wide meadows, was here, at the
ferry, narrow, rapid, and deep.
Chapter III.
" There's Many a Slip, etc"
THE lane leading from Matthew Watson's
to the creek was a short but very winding
one, and for much of the way well shaded
by thrifty trees. A more direct route might
have been laid out without the loss of any
tillable or pasture land. Years ago, when
the house was built, there had been some
discussion concerning this lane, and Matthew
now regretted at times that he had yielded to
others, for he knew it to be a common say-
ing among his worldly neighbors that the
lane was as crooked as its owner. But
Matthew's wife had taken matters in hand at
the critical moment and astonished her over-
bearing husband by a firmness that was before
then unsuspected. All attractiveness should
not be sacrificed to the selfish convenience
of the men. The landscape, as she saw it
from the single window of her little parlor
39
A COLONIAL WOOING
anci from the two larger windows of the
roomy kitchen, had several pleasing features,
and these she succeeded in preserving, when
the suggestion was made to clear the inter-
vening ground of its scattered trees and cut
a straight and level road to the creek's bank.
A stately tulip-tree, a branching elm, and half
a dozen sturdy scarlet-oaks crowned a bit of
slightly rising ground, and between them she
had the road to wind, and even prevailed
on her husband to plant other trees and a
short hedge of rhododendron, that the whole
way might in time become a most pleasant
place. She would indeed have gone even
further in this matter of landscape gardening,
but Matthew's patience was exhausted, and
some one had made the unfortunate remark
that his wife seemed to be reproducing some
of the features of her old home. Then
Matthew became obstinate beyond cure, for
it had ever been a sore trial that his wife
could not see the world about them with his
eyes. Were they not abundantly prosperous,
and was not this all-sufficient, and an evidence,
too, that heaven was smiling upon them?
4 o
A COLONIAL WOOING
What more could a woman want ? " Had
they not a home, and food and clothing in
abundance*?" he had been known to remark
on more than one occasion, but he never
gave a thought to the fact that the yarn was
spun, the food prepared, while he was leisurely
discussing with his neighbors the affairs of
the meeting. But Matthew was neither lazy
nor heartless, nor his wife given to complain-
ing. It was merely an instance of a woman's
unspoken thoughts not always according
with her husband's expressed convictions.
Sauntering down this pleasant lane came
Ruth with her two brothers, and when she
felt sure she was quite out of hearing she
slowly sang, to the boys delight,
Reclined beside the crystal rill,
When all is lonely, all is still,
Save wild birds' songs from yonder hill,
Oh, let me muse in secrecy.
Here let me in these shades reclined
Forget the ills I left behind,
That love was vain or friends unkind,
That fortune looked not smilingly.
A COLONIAL WOOING
A song of sorrow suits the day,
No star of love doth light my way,
Friendships ere yet they bloom decay,
All is delusive phantasy.
Before her song was finished they were
standing at the water's edge. The crimson
flush of the Virginia-creeper that climbed a
tall cedar behind her was a perfect back-
ground for this fair young woman as she
stood gazing into the swift stream, catching
glimpses of herself whenever, for a second,
the water's surface was unruffled. Pleasures
come and go as quickly as these reflections
of myself, she was thinking, and then she held
her face up and looked intently across the
stream, but not so much at the wooded slope
that on that side hemmed it in, as at the curl-
ing smoke that she knew came from the fire
in John Bishop's shop. " How could mother
get such an idea into her head *?" she said to
herself, but loud enough for her brothers to
hear.
"What has mother got in her head 1 ?"
asked the younger of the two boys, a per-
sistent, inquisitive lad of eleven summers.
42
A COLONIAL WOOING
" Nothing, dear," Ruth replied. " Please
try to catch me a fish for supper."
" But I want to know," he whined, in his
usual trying way.
" And thee cannot know, so go on with
thy fishing."
"Then I'll ask mother when we get
home."
" And then I will no more sing to thee,
my boy."
" Thee is real ugly to me ; I won't catch
thee any fish."
" Am I, dear ? Well, I am ugly to every-
body and feel cross as a bear." And again
Ruth looked at the little thread of smoke
that curled among the branches of the tower-
ing oak by the shop door.
But if ugly in the eyes of her little brother,
she was not to others as she stood on the
bank of the creek, her stately figure trim as
the timid fawns that she often started in the
woods, her golden-brown hair that rippled
down her back like the laughing waters of a
pebbly brook, her clear skin that was slightly
darkened by the sunshine to which it was
43
A COLONIAL WOOING
constantly exposed, but not to the conceal-
ment of the color that came and went ac-
cording to her mood, the well-arched eye-
brows darker than her hair, the straight nose
and well rounded, but not too prominent
chin ; these made up a picture that seemed
to need just such an occasion to flash their
full significance upon the beholder, and there
she stood when John Bishop and Robert
Pearson, leading the little group that we have
seen at the shop, came suddenly into view,
directly across the stream.
Ruth recognized them at a glance and
turned suddenly to go home, or at least to be
out of sight, but she was not sufficiently
guarded in her movements. She had been
standing on apparently firm ground and had
paid no heed to its constant trembling nor
noticed its gradual yielding to her weight.
Her more violent motion now caused the
earth, which was deeply undermined, to sud-
denly give way. She was not quick enough
to leap from where she stood to the fast
ground, and in an instant was struggling in
the rapid water and borne by the current into
44
A COLONIAL WOOING
its channel. A piercing cry went up as she
disappeared, a cry that was more than one
for help, yet he who so plainly heard it had
no such thought. She had not cried out
" help !" but " John !"
In an instant, seeing what had happened,
John Bishop had freed himself of his coat
and heavy boots and plunged into the creek,
before his companions had realized what had
really happened. A few strokes brought him
to the spot where Ruth had sunk, and the
moment he reached it she reappeared, her
hair floating at full length upon the surface
of the water and her eyes widely opened,
but staring vacantly at the sky, after a sin-
gle glance of recognition. John placed an
arm beneath her shoulders, and thus bearing
his fainting burden, with no little difficulty
stemmed the current and reached the shore.
John had but followed an ordinary im-
pulse ; he had seen a human being in immi-
nent danger and snatched her from it, so he
thought ; but what meant that strange feel-
ing in his breast when he looked so steadily
into her vacant, staring eyes, as he laid her
45
A COLONIAL WOOING
limp form upon the ground and, still support-
ing her head, said, imploringly, " Ruth, Ruth,
you are in no danger now ; do speak !"
The effects of the shock were slowly pass-
ing away, and before John's companions
could reach him, by means of the clumsy
ferry, Ruth had revived and murmured, but
not so gently that John did not hear her, " I
thank thee, John ; do please let me return
home."
Ruth attempted to rise as she spoke, but
her strength had not returned with her con-
sciousness, and she was utterly helpless.
" Let me carry thee home, Ruth," said
John, very gently. And he was about to take
her up in his arms as a mother would lift her
little child, when the men, who had crossed
the creek, came up and made a circle about
them. All asked at once concerning her and
were anxious to be of use, and the bewilder-
ing babel of many voices was evidently
having an ill effect upon Ruth's tortured
nerves. John was quick to see the annoy-
ance their presence caused, and motioning to
them to stand aside and keep silent, he lifted
4 6
A COLONIAL WOOING
Ruth from the ground and started towards
her home. The men slowly followed. She
made no movement as she was borne along
in this strange manner, and without a word
spoken the little procession reached Matthew
Watson's house.
Ruth's mother chanced to see them coming,
and met them at the door. The two boys,
who until now had been too frightened to
speak, rushed up to her and shouted, " Sister's
drowned !"
"Not drowned, but might have been,"
John remarked, hastily. " Speak, Ruth." But
Mrs. Watson did not hear him. Her boys'
words were ringing in her ears, and with
clasped hands she sank upon the seat of the
little porch and gazed vacantly at her daughter,
still firmly held in John's strong arms. For
a moment she could not speak, and then
recovering, she asked, " Is she really gone *?"
Assured to the contrary by both Ruth and
John, who spoke at the same moment, she
arose and led the way into the house.
47
Chapter IV.
Too Much about Nothing.
THERE were no Indian runners available
by whom to report to distant parts the im-
portant occurrences of any day ; neverthe-
less news of all kinds quickly spread, and the
day following the accident to Ruth members
of every family in the valley and beyond its
bounds came hither, the men usually gather-
ing at the wheelwright-shop and the women
at Ruth's home, that the minutest details
of the accident might be obtained. John
Bishop, to his great annoyance, was the hero
of the hour, and when not being closely
questioned was gazed at as the fortunate
man who had rescued Ruth. The promi-
nence of Matthew Watson in the community
had, of course, much to do with such general
interest in an incident which really had no
heroic element. Indeed, one observing old
man had been heard to say, " Had it been poor
4 8
A COLONIAL WOOING
folks, none on 'em would so much as lookt
out o' their winders."
The eye-witnesses naturally came in for a
full share of attention also, and it was amusing
to hear each one explain how it was that he
was too late to be of any real use in the
emergency. Their explanations made them
heroes only in their own eyes. One, more
loquacious and a coward at heart, remarked,
as if it was a witty thought, " It looks like to
me that John knew all about it beforehand,
and it was planned to have old Watson look
with favor on him," and then laughed im
moderately; but his merriment was soon cut
short. The remark had been overheard, and
without seeing who struck him, the fellow
rolled upon the grass. Robert Pearson had
no patience with idle babblers, and besides
that, Ruth was distantly related.
John Bishop took the praise bestowed
upon him patiently at first, but before the
day passed it became tiresome arid then dis-
tasteful. The truth was, the incident had
influenced him in a way that his neigh-
bors did not suspect. He constantly saw,
4 49
A COLONIAL WOOING
not Ruth merely rescued, but her single
piercing glance, and then staring at him with
those dark-blue eyes that really saw not ; and
then there would come the vision of Ruth
pleading to be allowed to walk home, with
those eyes reillumined with a light not merely
of consciousness returned or was this all
but a feverish fancy of his own *?
It was not until two days after the accident
that Matthew Watson called at the shop to
thank John for his timely assistance. The
latter saw him coming and divined his errand,
but there was no escaping the inevitable in-
terview, and John put on as cheerful a coun-
tenance as possible and determined to antici-
pate Matthew by changing the character of
the conversation, or if the girl's rescue must
be mentioned, he would do the talking him-
self. He had been a passive listener long
enough.
" How is thy daughter, Ruth, this morn-
ing *?" he asked as Matthew entered the shop.
" I trust she is well over the annoyance of an
unintended bath and is in no danger of catch-
ing a fever from after-excitement."
50
A COLONIAL WOOING
" Yes, um ! yes ; I called, John, to tell thee
how greatly indebted "
" Now please be good enough, Neighbor
Watson, not to talk of the matter. Why,
for two whole days there has been nothing
for me to do but stand and listen, and if I took
up a hammer or saw, it was plain that I gave
offence," and John hoped the appeal would
end the conversation, but was mistaken. In
the quiet of colonial days events did not
follow in such quick succession that in two
days a matter like this would be forgotten.
" But then it was proper that I should
express "
" Yes, yes, I know ; but really, Neighbor
Watson, there is too much made of the
matter, and if Ruth has not suffered any ill
effects, there is nothing further to be said."
And John again hoped for silence in the
future.
Matthew Watson could not understand
John's motive in baffling his efforts to talk
the matter over, and John did not suspect
that Matthew had more to say than merely a
formal thanking for effective assistance at a
51
A COLONIAL WOOING
critical time. It seemed too good an oppor-
tunity to let his views be known concerning
Ruth's future to be prevented by the ready
tongue that had interrupted him so success-
fully.
"What thee says, John, may be quite
true," remarked Matthew, after a moment's
pause in the conversation, " but I had another
matter on which I had a concern to speak to
thee, and it seems more fitting to do so now
than ever before, although upon my mind
and a concern, too, of Ruth's mother."
What can he have upon his mind? won-
dered John, as he carefully laid his hammer
upon the bench and faced Matthew, with his
arms folded. " If I am to be lectured, why,
here I am, and let's get through with it," he
said, lightly.
" Thee knows, John, that thy mind leads
thee to Ruth, for it is common report, and
Friends have remarked how, in meeting, thy
eyes continually rest upon her."
Matthew evidently expected a reply, paus-
ing as he did for so long a time, for John
simply kept his eyes fixed upon the speaker.
52
A COLONIAL WOOING
" We cannot approve of it ; she is but a
child and thee has yet thy way to make in
the world. It will be years yet before thou
hast acquired "
** Stop !" interrupted John, with a step for-
ward that was just short of a menace. " I
do not know what the common report is, but
I would like to know who started it. And
my eyes rest upon Ruth, do they *? in meeting.
Well, I suppose thee means upon her bonnet,
for it covers her head more completely than
thy hat does thine. And my thoughts are
upon her ! Did thee not say she was but a
child*? If I mistake not, she is almost out
of her childhood, and thee can rest assured
that her own thoughts of her own self will
be entirely respected by John Bishop. I do
not know what thy plans for the future may
be concerning Ruth, nor is it my business at
all, but if ever a young man may speak to an
older one advisedly, let me say, at this time,
that thy plans will come to nothing unless
they accord with Ruth's. And now, if thee
pleases, I will return to my work, for there are
neighbors waiting for me." And saying this,
53
A COLONIAL WOOING
John went to the shop door and called his
partner, who had been busy out of doors at
John's suggestion, and was ail-impatiently
waiting to be recalled.
The interview was not a satisfactory one.
Matthew Watson saw defiance in John's
eyes, if he could not discover it in his words,
and stood gazing intently into the ashen coals
that had nearly lost their ruddy glow. There
was so much he would like to say, but he
felt that he was watched by a determined
man, who would check at its very outset any
further attempt to speak. Matthew Watson,
one of the community's petty tyrants, and a
most prominent figure in meeting, had met
his match.
" William," remarked John, as that young
man entered the shop, "had we not better
finish Stacy's cart-wheel ? He may call for
it to-morrow."
" Yes, John Good-morning, Friend Wat-
son. How is Ruth to-day *? I do hope she is
none the worse for her terrible fright." And
William hovered about him as though he
were the king and he an expectant subject.
54
A COLONIAL WOOING
John nearly lost his temper, and after some
struggling with himself, finally said, in rather
commanding tones, " This is not the time to
give to such matters ; let us heat the irons
and fit them now." And William Blake, with
an imploring look towards Matthew, for he
longed to hear something of Ruth that he
might repeat to any callers who might hap-
pen in, worked vigorously at the bellows and
sent myriads of sparks darting up the chimney.
Still, Matthew continued to gaze intently at
the fire, unheeding William for the time, and
vainly endeavoring to so collect his thoughts
that he might at least fire a parting shot on
retiring, and appear not to be the defeated
man that he was. It would be something
gained to have the truth concealed from
William ; but Matthew was not equal to
the occasion. All he could say was, " Yes,
William, Ruth is quite well, and would be
pleased to see thee. The Friends have all
been very kind."
William was about to follow Matthew
Watson from the shop, desirous of sending
Ruth some pretty message, it may be, but
55
A COLONIAL WOOING
John stopped him before he had taken a
second step. " Thy place is here, William ;
and if thee cannot remain at thy work we
must close this partnership."
" Close this partnership !" repeated William,
in a surprised and slightly frightened manner ;
" why, John, I have forty pounds to thy ten,
and surely that gives me the advantage."
John smiled, although his temper was yet
aroused. " I am not sure what thee means
by an advantage, but what would thy forty
pounds be without I looked after them and
thee and my own interests *? It may be forty
to ten, but the care and labor is all on my
side, and I will gladly buy thee out."
" But what would I do ?" asked William,
now a good deal worried, for he saw his part-
ner was wholly in earnest and expected a
serious reply. " Has thee the ready money ?"
" Do *? why, spend thy time visiting Ruth ;
or, better yet, perhaps Neighbor Watson
would employ thee on his plantation, and
then thee could see her every day." And
John threw down a hammer in his hand and
looked out the little window near the forge.
56
A COLONIAL WOOING
" Does thee really think that Ruth would
look with favor on my visits and "
" William, now and for all time let me
say that I must not hear Ruth discussed in
this shop. There is a limit to my patience
if none to others' lack of judgment; and
isn't it very unchristian to be engaged in such
idle conversation, and unworthy a man to talk
so freely of other people, and of a most
worthy young woman at that ? Do confine
thyself to thy work and to what we spoke
of. I will gladly buy thy interest, for I feel
that we can thrive better if more widely
planted."
"I did not know thee was dissatisfied.
Thee has said nothing like this until now ;
and why, as I have been taught my trade,
should I not buy thee out ?" asked William,
and he looked very uncomfortable as he
spoke, for it was a dangerous question, as he
had learned to depend upon his partner when-
ever serious matters arose, and feared his own
judgment upon most occasions.
" I would rather buy than sell," replied
John, " and I do not see in what manner it is
57
A COLONIAL WOOING
a concern of others. Thee did not consult
with thy friends when we entered upon this
venture, and why take thy personal affairs to
them when it is proposed to withdraw from
it ? Has thee no judgment of thy own ?"
" But, John, we are prospering now, and if
we remain blessed, why, perhaps Ruth "
" Hush !" John exclaimed, fiercely ; so
fiercely, indeed, that William nearly fell over
the anvil, he was so startled. It was a fortu-
nate fright, so far as John was concerned,
for William said, meekly, " If thee insists, I
suppose I must."
"There is no insistence and no 'must'
about it. I will buy thy interest, if thee will
cheerfully and of thy own accord part with
it ; but if thee feels forced or over-persuaded,
then I will not."
" But if thee is so desirous in the matter,
what better can I do *?" asked William, with
endless trouble pictured in his countenance.
" That is for thee to judge," replied John.
Before another word was spoken a shadow
crossed the floor of the shop and John, look-
ing up, saw the outline of Matthew Watson's
58
A COLONIAL WOOING
head and shoulders near the little window,
which was open. Why he was there he
could not tell. There was no apparent
reason. Had he been listening to the con-
versation? He was about to call through
the window, then checked himself, and with
nothing further being said about the dissolu-
tion of partnership, John and William worked
steadily upon the irons of Stacy's cart-wheel.
59
Chapter V.
A Worse Fate threatened.
THE women of the Crosswicks Valley had
little to entertain them beyond the affairs of
the meeting and of their own homes. Visit-
ing, in anything approaching a formal way,
was not common. The houses generally
were far apart and the roads and by-paths
too rough, in many places, to make walking
a pleasure, or more than practicable upon
urgent occasion. Horses could not always
be spared that women might ride. The long
established custom, however, of attending
meeting on First and Fifth days gave excel-
lent opportunity for gossipy conversation,
both before and after the services were over,
and these were never neglected. How much
could the old oak in the Crosswicks meeting-
yard tell if there was a tongue in that tree !
Its enormous branches overspreading a wide
grass-plot have shaded many a fair damsel
A COLONIAL WOOING
and gentle swain who lingered long after
their prosy parents considered time enough
had elapsed wherein to exchange common-
places.
"Is thee not keeping Joseph too long*?"
once called out an impatient father, as his
daughter showed no disposition to bring her
conversation to a close. " I hope thee will
never think that of me," she whispered to
Joseph, with a winsome smile, and then the
demure little Quakeress hurried to her father's
carriage and gravely discussed with her
mother the sermon they had heard, as though
she were the head of a family instead of the
youngest child.
While youth remained there was always
enough worldliness and sweet, harmless de-
ception to hold back the austerities of the
elders. No positive wickedness, but mis-
chief and an assertion of the natural man
that no follower of George Fox ever es-
caped, although in later years every one
strove to forget it and cautioned their children
against " the wiles of the adversary." Strange
delusion, that of such intense mortification
61
A COLONIAL WOOING
of the flesh. But while the worthy elders
did their best by precept and example to rob
the young of many of life's pleasures, they
could not make existence an altogether
colorless, songless pilgrimage. Nature was
never set aside by a sermon, and the joys of
existence denied to the eye and ear were
compensated for, not occasionally, but daily,
by these same elders in gluttonous feasting,
to the point of clogging the intellect ; a cus-
tom coeval with the rise of their faith. To
be sure, Aunt Lydia Blaylock said even more
than this, but what led to her being turned
out of meeting was the remark, " The cer-
tainty of a good dinner nerves them to the
infliction of a long sermon."
The young Friends that subscribed to their
parents' views frequently made many a men-
tal reservation, resolving to question more
closely for themselves when of maturer
years; but when these came, life had so
many added responsibilities, it too often hap-
pened that an indifferent acquiescence to the
forms of the society resulted. But there was
another and possibly less doleful aspect of
62
A COLONIAL WOOING
this stern religion among the young. Often
has it happened that, when two or three have
chanced together, freedom from care and
from the restraint of a parent's presence has
moved their sober steps to a quicker mo-
tion ; and while no one would be malicious
enough to say that they were dancing, it was,
in sober truth, a dangerously near approach
thereto. The spirit was indeed willing, but
their fear was overpowering. How nearly
we may approach the worldly and yet be safe
has been the tenor of many a long discussion
when this topic was ventured upon ; and
how can a ribbon jeopardize the soul been a
problem that by night and day has vexed the
young mind to a degree of desperation far
more destructive of spiritual peace than a bit
of color to relieve the monotony of an ill-
contrived, uncomfortable gown.
All this in its various phases had passed
through Ruth Davenport's mind, and, having
the blood of her father's people in her veins,
she was brave enough to speak her thoughts
and to express dissatisfaction with an evasive
answer; and when, after a long night's re-
63
A COLONIAL WOOING
cuperative rest, she felt ready to meet the
world on its own terms, it was with no spirit
of meekness that she saw the long array of
sedate Friends who had gathered under her
mother's roof to congratulate them both and
administer to their spiritual needs. With
some show of grace Ruth took the well-
meant sermon on gratitude for life saved, and
would have been happy had this one woman
who first spoke been the spokeswoman of the
company. Not so ; each old woman was
confident she would be moved to speak, and
in anticipation of the opportunity had com-
posed a sermon ; but Ruth had no patience
left when the third worthy, growing dolo-
rously poetical, was moved to say, " To think
our young friend might have been drowned,
and her little body never found "
" Mother, mother !" she exclaimed, " do
make the Friends go away or I'll go mad !"
And she rushed from the room, to the min-
gled surprise, consternation, and regret of those
present. It was some moments before she
would consent to return, and when she did,
her defiant looks put at once an end to all
6 4
A COLONIAL WOOING
attempts at further preaching. Things took
a rather more cheerful and certainly a far
more practical turn ; for not an old woman
among them but was sure that the accident
would end in a fever, did not Ruth's strange
manner plainly point that way ? and so had
brought an abundance of their remedies.
What a display was there upon the kitchen
table ! Every herb that ever grew in West
Jersey was generously represented; and if
every considerate Friend was to be duly con-
sidered, there was no escaping a watery death
after all. As Ruth said to her mother, when
the last visitor had departed, " I do not know
but I had rather choke in Crosswicks Creek
than be drowned in a deluge of herb tea.
The taste wouldn't be so bad."
Ruth's mother gently laughed, and while
the smile yet played upon her patient mouth
Matthew Watson entered with a frown and
contracted brows that showed trouble was
brewing. Ruth noticed it, and in a moment
felt that she was the cause of her step-father's
ill-humor, if such it proved to be.
" Just see here, father, what the neighbors
5 65
A COLONIAL WOOING
have brought in," pointing to the herbs in
bundles lying upon the table ; " if thee gets
short of hay, thee '11 know where to come."
" I would prefer to find thee less given to
levity when I come in. The Friends have
said thee has been quite unmoved by their
admonitions and prayers and so given of-
fence that reflects upon me. I am sorry
thee is not led to be inwardly as well as out-
wardly a Friend."
" What, mother,, is thy word as to the
meeting forced upon us ; had I not cause to
break up what even thee thought an unwise
assembling*?" asked Ruth, quite indifferent
to what her step-father had said, and plainly
showing what she felt.
" Ruth, I did not say so ; the Friends were
very kind," replied her mother, frightened
lest she should also be scolded by her hus-
band.
" I know thee did not say so, but that was
in thy thoughts, and thee smiled when I
talked of the oceans of herb tea." And then,
after saying this to her mother, Ruth turned
about, and with perfect fearlessness in her
66
A COLONIAL WOOING
eyes and abundant, ill-concealed scorn in her
lips, said, in a very different voice, "No,
father, I am not a Friend in the sense thee
advocates, and never can be. Thee does not
remember that I am a Davenport and not a
Watson, and among them only my father
was a Friend, and not, I hope, of such an un-
bending type as so many of those that make
up the Crosswicks meeting."
" Ruth, Ruth !" faintly spoke her mother.
" Thee is an unruly, rebellious child, that
brings a scandal upon us," remarked Matthew
Watson, and he turned to leave the room.
"Rebellious*? Does thee not recall the
fact that I did not come to America of my
own accord? Does thee not know that
when I have coaxed mother to tell me of my
cousins in Yorkshire, that it has made me
long to go to them, until I thought that that
meant leaving mother, and then I was content
again ; and when thee took mother from her
home, thee knew that I had also to come, or
thy words would have prevailed nothing ; and
when since then have I been a source of dis-
comfort to thee ? It is as easy to talk with-
67
A COLONIAL WOOING
out forethought at home as at meeting, and
thy one word 'rebellious' is as little called
for as the sermon on 4 levity' by Friend Lam-
bert, who has so frequently to be counselled
by the Friends to be less worldly in his de-
meanor. If mother is willing, and the way
is provided, I will go back to Yorkshire. I
hope my cousins will take me in."
" But thee does not know that they would.
The way to a passage might be found." And
Matthew put his hand upon the door-latch.
" Matthew, Ruth shall never leave me will-
ingly," her mother said, in a tone that was
startling to both husband and daughter, a
tone so full of meaning that it ended the
conversation.
68
Chapter VI.
A Letter from England.
THE good ship " Bristol," William Smith,
Commander, that had made many voyages
from English ports to Philadelphia, sighted
the capes and slowly worked her way up the
broad bay, and after many a trying hour, held
by baffling winds and perverse currents, she
at last cast anchor in front of the thriving
village founded by Penn. Her voyage of
nearly forty days had been uneventful, and it
was with a feeling of relief that the passengers
and crew again found themselves on shore.
Those who were new-comers found much to
attract their attention, and many were the in-
quiries made as to the whereabouts of the
friends who had preceded them and by glow-
ing accounts of the wonderful country had
induced them to follow. The captain had
his packet of letters to distribute, some to
the thrifty merchants of the little town, and
69
A COLONIAL WOOING
others to be sent to the back-country settle-
ments. One such communication, larger
than the ordinary folded sheet, and impres-
sively sealed with an abundance of red wax,
bore this direction : Matthew Watson, in
Chesterfield, Co. Burlington, Province of
West New Jarsie. After some trouble safe
conveyance was found for this official-look-
ing document, and on the day following
the arrival of the " Bristol" a stout shallop
spread its dingy sail, and at sunrise, taking
advantage of both wind and tide, started
up the river, bound for Crosswicks Creek.
The outlook then was favorable for a quick
trip, but before noon the wind had died
away, and when the tide turned there was
nothing to do but to cast anchor and wait.
The crew of four men were not troubled
at this turn of affairs. Their business was to
ply between the two points mentioned, and
the world was not then in such haste that
letters or merchandise lost significance or
value if received a day or a week later than
was possible, but never probable. This early
November day, rich with a golden haze that
70
A COLONIAL WOOING
brought all beauty better into view, was idly
spent on board, and after the commonplaces
of wondering when they could proceed had
been passed, each man took himself unto
himself and wondered why more of his people
did not flock hither to this land of endless
promise. The captain was for a while other-
wise engaged. After looking at the super-
scriptions on the letters he had had placed in
his charge and wondering whether they con-
tained good news or ill, he took a small
book from his pocket, and summing up the
probable gains of the year, said to himself,
" If the season ends as well as it began, I
shall have enough to carry out my plans and
will make a change. I wonder if I could
sell my boat to any one in Chesterfield. I
will talk to John Bishop when we anchor at
the ferry."
The ferry was not reached until late the
next day, and then, when the boat was seen
coming slowly up the creek, many of those
who lived near came down to the landing,
out of idle curiosity, or for such goods as
they were expecting, or to receive possibly a
71
A COLONIAL WOOING
letter from "home," for by this endearing
term nearly every one still spoke of England.
Matthew Watson had, among the first, re-
ceived his well-sealed letter, which he carried
exposed to the gaze of the by-standers, with
a conscious air, until he reached his house.
" What is it ?" asked his wife, as he
entered the room where she was sitting,
facing the cheerful fire upon the hearth.
" A letter."
" From friends in Philadelphia *?"
" From England."' And then adjusting his
full-moon glasses, scanning every seal, scratch,
and pen-mark upon the outside, proceeded
slowly to open and read the letter. It was
a long communication, and before he had
finished reading he laid it down, and, remov-
ing his spectacles, said, " Ruth."
"Ruth has gone to Neighbor Pearson's,
dear ; what is it ?"
" I wish she would remain more with her
own people and not visit Neighbor Pearson
so frequently. She has been left an estate."
" Left an estate ! Why, Matthew, what
does thee mean *?" asked his wife, rising from
72
A COLONIAL WOOING
her chair and walking to where her husband
was standing by the window.
" Her uncle Timothy has left her money
and personal effects of value provided she
shall return to England and make her home
with her father's people. If she declines, the
property goes to her cousins. What does
thee think ; is it well that she returns *?"
" This is too suddenly placed before us to
speak advisedly, and Ruth must be consulted.
It is her future that is concerned, and she is
old enough to be her own counsellor in such
a matter ; but the thought of her leaving
me is very grievous. I do wish she would
return." And Anne Watson, more troubled
than she wished to admit, looked earnestly
over the fields towards the ferry, to see if her
daughter was coming. There was then no
one in sight, but a moment later there came
into view from behind the rhododendron
hedge Ruth and John Bishop, in earnest
conversation.
" She is coming now !" exclaimed one of
the boys ; and opening the door, he called,
"Sister Ruth, there's a letter for you from
73
A COLONIAL WOOING
England with lots of money in it, and you've
got to go 'way to get it and " But the boy's
father checked the child's startling announce-
ment by a sudden pull at his collar that sent
him trotting backward across the kitchen
floor.
" What does brother mean *?" Ruth asked,
with a thoroughly puzzled look upon her
flushed face, for her conversation with John
Bishop had evidently been of an exciting
character.
"There is a letter from England that is
of much moment, particularly to thyself, and
we will consider its contents at the proper
time," replied her step-father, with a glance at
John Bishop, which was not lost upon him
or upon Ruth.
" Farewell, Ruth," John remarked, scarcely
noticing the others who had gathered about
her, and was about to turn away when Ruth
said,
" Stay, John ; mother may wish to say
how grateful she feels, and this is thy first
visit since that unlucky day."
There was a play upon John's features
74
A COLONIAL WOOING
that strongly suggested the idea he considered
it quite the opposite, as he again faced the
whole Watson family on their porch, and
shook hands with Ruth's mother, who had
come forward and said, " Truly, John, I do
not know how to thank thee ; thee must
read my heart."
" Heart-reading is often a difficult task,"
John replied, and his eyes wandered towards
Ruth, who was anxious that the interview
should end, for she was very curious to know
how that letter from England concerned her.
Holding out her hand with an air that made
her step-father frown and stare, she said,
" Good-by, John ; I am obliged to thee for
seeing me across the ferry." And he, taking
the hint, bade the assembled family farewell
and turned towards his shop.
" Is it possible thee requires John's assist-
ance to cross the ferry, Ruth *? Could thee
not take one of the boys with thee, if thee
must go so frequently to Robert Pearson's *?"
asked Matthew, with a tone that had more
suggestiveness than the mere words.
" John offered to come, seeing I was alone,
75
A COLONIAL WOOING
as I passed the shop, and said he wished to
speak with me. Besides, I had not seen him
since the other day, and I had something to
say to him ; and why," Ruth's voice ringing
with a trace of anger that meant defiance, as
Matthew well knew, " should I not go to
Neighbor Pearson's? Is not Robert cousin
or something of mother's? When they
seem not to want me I will stay away."
"Ruth, Ruth," gently spoke her mother,
" thee forgets."
" No, mother, I fprget nothing ; it's a pity
I didn't ; but what is this wonderful letter all
about? Was it sent to me, or mother, or
who ?" And Ruth showed by her rapid speak-
ing that she was, if not quite a woman grown,
so near it that she recognized the difference
between it and childhood. Then kissing her
mother, she said again, " Do tell me about
this letter."
" If thee will compose thyself, Ruth," her
step-father replied, " I will tell thee about it.
It is from Revell Stacy, and he is authorized
to inform thee, as he does through me, that
thy uncle Timothy Davenport has left thee
76
A COLONIAL WOOING
property sufficient for thy maintenance, if
thee returns to England, but it goes to thy
cousins if thee declines to accept the con-
ditions. What does thee think *?"
"Think?" said Ruth, "think about it?"
And while speaking she walked from front of
the fire to the middle of the room, and stand-
ing on tiptoe, first on one foot and then on the
other, as if about to begin a dance for their
amusement, and then actually sang in her
parent's presence, keeping time with her
body,
" Money, money,
Bread and honey,
Dresses new and dresses gay;
Lovers many,
Cares not any "
then stopping as suddenly as she began,
dropped on her knees at her mother's feet
and, looking the astonished woman directly
in the face, added,
" Mother, must I go away ?"
" I am astonished !" exclaimed Matthew
Watson, " singing and dancing in my house.
Anne, is thy daughter ill ?"
77
A COLONIAL WOOING
"No, father," exclaimed Ruth, standing
up before him and giving him one of those
steady, fearless looks that made him lose con-
fidence in himself, " no, I am not ill, but I
have had too much to happen in one day
perhaps. This is indeed sudden ; but as to
leaving mother, no, not for any fortune in
England or all the fortunes in all England,
and thee can send word to Revell Stacy as
soon as thee chooses."
"Do not be rash, dear," Ruth's mother
almost whispered ; "'thee must think it over."
"Very well, then, I'll think it over and
ask Cousin Robert what he thinks," said
Ruth, quietly.
Her suggestion to refer it to Robert Pear-
son made her step-father look very black, and
he closed the lid of his desk with a startling
slam.
Chapter VII.
The Sale of the Shallop.
WINTER was fast approaching, but while
the dreamy days of the Indian summer had
come and gone, there was still a pleasant
warmth at noon-tide, and wherever the sun-
shine found entrance among the old trees
along the creek's north shore, one had little
thought, while wandering there, of the deep
and dreary snows that would so soon cover
every winsome feature of the valley. Making
some flimsy excuse, the shallowness of which
was still too deep for his partner to fathom,
John Bishop laid down his tools a little before
noon, and saying he might not be back quite
as promptly as usual, passed out of the shop.
Instead of going towards his home, he walked
in the opposite direction, and as he passed a
neighbor's cottage, whistled to the dog, that
was only too glad to follow. There was
much passing in John's mind, as his counte-
79
A COLONIAL WOOING
nance plainly showed, and while he felt he
must have some one to talk to, there was but
one to whom he could talk, and she was not
accessible ; so he whistled for the dog, and
petted him extravagantly when he came
bounding up to him. Man and dog made
there, as they stood beneath the almost leaf-
less trees, a pretty picture. John's brown hair,
dark skin, and keen gray eyes, that flashed at
times beneath the straight brows that shaded
them, were now lighted by the mellow light
of a late November'day, one of those dreamy
days when a man of brains will indulge in a
contemplative stroll and be the better for it.
There is a hazy, perhaps even an indistinct out-
look, but the light is the better for this when
we want to conjure up pictures and people and
recall loved scenes that linger in the memory ;
and John, to-day, was in a retrospective mood.
He desired to liv'c over again some recent
events and to talk about them, but not to
the trees or the uncertain birds or to himself.
His neighbor's dog would answer by the
gleam of intelligence in its nutty brown eyes,
and then John could frame such replies as
80
A COLONIAL WOOING
he knew, or hoped, she would make. What
a strange compound is a man in love ! He
has figured in books for many a century, but
who has depicted him as he really is ? John
was no less himself because of a new feeling ;
other traits were not forced to the background
to make room for this new-comer ; but could
not all the world see that all else had to stand
aside, just a little 1 ? Even he thought this
might be true, and he would that the world
were blind. He was only sure of his own
feelings, and in that blessed state of hopeful-
ness as to Ruth that enabled him to think
whatsoever best pleased him at the moment ;
but he also knew the storm that would break
over his head if Matthew Watson knew
positively he was seriously inclined. " What
will come of all this, doggie *? Come, now :
two pats of your tail on the dead leaves for
* good' and three for ' no good ;' " but the
dog stood up when spoken to, and wagged
his tail so rapidly, John could not count.
" Well, what does that mean ? Is everybody
opposed to me, and this means brushing me
away. Come, doggie, speak out." And the
6 81
A COLONIAL WOOING
dog, moved by John's earnestness, gave a low,
quick bark. " That is as much like ' yes' as
4 no,' so I'll have to hunt up some witch of
the woods to tell me my fortune. Come
along !" And with the dog running ahead
and sniffing at every tree where a squirrel or
opossum might be hiding, John walked on
and on, following the winding bluff that
overlooked the meadows and creek until he
came to the three big beeches where the sin-
gle Indian family of ,the immediate neighbor-
hood, an old basket-maker and his squaw,
had their wigwam. There was no one about,
and John sat at the foot of the largest of
the three great trees, and looked out over the
meadows and beyond them to the river. A
boat with hoisted sail was just entering the
creek, and another, heading for Philadelphia,
was also well in view. " How this wilderness
is changing !" remarked John to himself, as
he looked about. " Every month brings new-
comers, and they do not all remain in the
settlements, but keep pushing farther and
farther out into the back country. There is
every reason to be hopeful ; and what if I
82
A COLONIAL WOOING
have so little I can call my own, have I not
strength enough in these arms to earn more
than my own living? They were strong
enough on one occasion, and I think have
been stronger. Come, doggie, old fellow,
it's time we were going, or William will be
sounding an alarm, thinking I am lost." And
John Bishop laughed in a cheery way as he
retraced his steps ; and far sooner than he had
made the journey from his shop to the three
beeches he was back, and never knew that
he had missed his dinner and kept the folks
waiting and wondering.
" They have been asking after thee, John,"
William announced as soon as he entered
the shop ; " thee has not been to thy
dinner."
" Oh, I nibbled a beech-nut and tried to
solve a problem and didn't," replied John,
cheerfully. " But who has been here ? Thee
seems to have had company, from the placing
of these broken chairs, which were hardly safe
to offer heavy guests."
" Martin Nutt and Matthew Watson have
been here. Martin called to see thee about
83
A COLONIAL WOOING
his boat, the one that plies between here
and Philadelphia. He wishes to sell it, and
Neighbor Watson has considered the matter
and offers to join me in its purchase, and so,
if thee still chooses, I will sell my interest in
this venture. Thee can readily find a partner
or helper, I think. But, John, has thee the
money to buy my share *?"
" If I had not," John replied, with a trace
of anger in his tone and a contraction of the
brows full of meaning, " if I had not, I
should not have made the suggestion. But
why should I not buy Martin's boat, and let
thee keep the shop *? I can sail a boat, and
thee cannot, and it was Martin's errand to see
me, I think thee said."
" It was ; but he happened to speak of the
matter to Neighbor Watson, and he thought
I had better buy it ; and then thee knows I
have forty "
" Forty fiddle-sticks ! William, I sometimes
think thee is almost a dunce, and I'm so tired
of hearing of thy forty pounds that I have
wanted to have the shop here all to myself.
Do follow Neighbor Watson's advice and
8 4
A COLONIAL WOOING
buy the boat, and have Matthew join thee.
But why does Martin Nutt wish to sell *?"
" He is going to Philadelphia to open a
ship chandlery and not follow the water any
longer. He thinks he has earned the right to
be a merchant and have an office, so he said,
and Neighbor Watson agreed ; and, John,
when can thee pay me for my share in this
venture *?"
"Just as soon as we can get William
Emley to draw up the necessary paper and
thee signs it the money will be in thy
hands," John replied, with a glow of amuse-
ment that lit his whole countenance and
showed what a handsome man he was.
" But I did not know," remarked his part-
ner, astonished at John's promptness in the
matter, and not a little distrustful of the
course he was pursuing, " I did not know
that thee had so much in hand ; thy capital,
I thought "
" Was the ten pounds I put with thy forty.
Well, William, I am not supposed to be
responsible for thy way of thinking. Does
thee not remember that when we started in
85
A COLONIAL WOOING
business here that thee wondered where I got
the ten, and supposed that I borrowed them
from Robert Pearson? And what of the
profits of the venture since that day"? Does
thee suppose I spend a penny every time I
make one ? Perhaps thee does ; but I don't
see how it is to be done, with no shops nearer
than Burlington. But thy question calls for
an answer, perhaps. There is a little oaken
box with iron clasps and a lock somewhere,
and there's forty pounds and to spare in it,
good, honest, silver money that won't burn
thy palms when it touches them."
" I am really sorry to leave thee," remarked
William, with a vain effort to think over
satisfactorily what John had just told him ;
" but tell me why, if thee had the money,
thy share and mine of the venture, when we
started here, were not the same. I thought
thee had but ten pounds."
" Thee thought so, but I did not tell thee
so. I only agreed to put in ten pounds against
thy forty, for I thought my knowledge of the
trade and skill in work of certain kinds was
worth the difference, and so did thy friend,
86
A COLONIAL WOOING
Neighbor Watson, if thee will but remem-
ber."
" It must be all proper, I do not doubt, but
forty pounds "
" Well, William, thee has now a chance to
receive back thy money, and what has been
thy share of the profits of the venture has
proved an excellent interest. But thy capital
as now invested is worth something more
than the original sum now, and I will make
a proper agreement with thee when we meet
at William Emley's," John replied, assuringly,
and his timid partner felt much more as if
every penny due him was to be really paid
back, but a flood of conflicting impressions
so confused the poor fellow he could find
nothing to say. He had been in safe hands
while with John, and to some extent knew
his business, but what of this new venture
with all the glittering generalities that Mat-
thew Watson hung about it? He could
not feel so sure. William's brain was of one-
idea capacity, and now he was forced to battle
with a dozen ; no wonder he was miserably
bewildered.
87
A COLONIAL WOOING
After a lengthy pause, painful alike to both
men, John remarked, " The season will soon
be over for thy new trade, what has thee in
mind to do while the river is closed ?"
44 1 had not thought of that, and Neighbor
Watson did not mention the matter when he
and Martin were here," replied William ; and
he looked greatly distressed, and his fears of
a long unoccupied winter were not allayed
when John, with a slightly malicious gleam
in his eyes, suggested that perhaps he " could
board for the dull season with his new part-
ner."
The poor man was more worried than ever.
To lose forty pounds of flesh would have
given him no particular concern, but to risk,
as he might be doing, as many pounds ster-
ling ; that was terrible.
"As thee has never consulted with me
about thy affairs, William, it is not my prov-
ince to be thy adviser now ; but I never knew
thee was accustomed to sail a boat, even small
river craft, and the winds on the river are some-
times full of danger, as we have cause to
know ; and has thee had any teaching in the
A COLONIAL WOOING
matter of general trading ? Thee was appren-
ticed a smith, and can do some things in thy
line very well, and I hope to see thee success-
fully sail the boat that Martin Nutt wishes to
sell. Thee knows, of course, that Neighbor
Watson cannot help thee in these matters ;
thee must do all the work."
" But I never even tried to sail a boat ; we
must have that done by some one who knows
how," replied William, becoming more and
more thoroughly frightened at the disaster he
fancied, with some reason, threatening him.
" Then what will thee do *? Sit on the
wharf at Philadelphia, while Matthew waits
at the ferry *?" And John laughed heartily at
the picture he drew.
" Thy remarks are unkind, John. Friend
Watson would not mislead me," said William,
much depressed by his partner's chaffing.
" I would not have thee think that I
thought so," replied John ; " but really it is
thy affair, not mine, and first let us attend to
our joint concern. We will send word to
William Emley to-morrow and settle this
matter of ending our partnership. Then thee
8 9
can have the ready money, so far as it will
go, to buy the boat."
" I will go myself to Friend Emley's and
make an appointment," said William, " as I
cannot lift a hammer or move the bellows
now after so much that has worked upon
me." And he took up his hat and coat and
went out.
" Poor William," remarked John to him-
self; " but really it is better that I should be
alone."
Chapter VIII.
The New Partnership.
THE winter that seemed so distant to Wil-
liam Blake, when the bargain was closed and
he and Matthew Watson were the vessel's
owners, had set in earlier than usual. The
river was filled with floating ice, and it was
no longer safe to trust so small a boat as the
"Fish-hawk" to the huge masses that, borne by
the currents, would soon wear away her sides
if exposed to them. The boat must be put
in winter quarters, be safely harbored in some
little cove on the south bank of the creek ;
of course, within sight of the Watson house.
As his late partner predicted, William Blake
was also in winter quarters, with but a single
occupation, that of paying his board weekly,
and very deep in despair, too, because with
no means of earning the requisite number
of shillings. Perhaps he did not mean it as
unkind, but Matthew Watson had assured
91
A COLONIAL WOOING
him that the venture was an excellent one ;
his share of the profits would certainly enable
him to pay his board every winter, and that
would be a source of anxiety removed, for
which he should be thankful.
"Why did thee let me buy the boat*?"
William often asked of John, for during the
long winter days he found the shop a more
pleasant place to spend his idle time than at
Neighbor Watson's, where business continu-
ally called him, as his partner was full of
projects that forever called for more of Wil-
liam's money as an offset to the "advantages"
Matthew cunningly set forth. " I believe
thee could have taken better care of my
property than I have done, and thee never
even advised me," William often said when
they were alone.
" Thee never asked my advice, and I surely
could not be expected to intrude it upon
thee," John would reply ; and then the poor
man, who believed himself to have been vic-
timized, would express his fears of his part-
ner's designs, and to all this was added a
sorrow of no mean measure, that Ruth would
92
A COLONIAL WOOING
not favor him with even the briefest conversa-
tion when they happened to meet. He had
made a great blunder, and would he, John,
take him back, if he could prevail upon his
present partner to buy his share of the boat
and so set him free ?
John would not promise, and endeavored
to allay his fears, talking extravagantly of the
increased trade of the coming season, and
how two boats would be needed instead of
one. On all subjects John spoke freely, but
always without the slightest reference to Ruth.
William Blake noticed this in time, and began
talking so freely about her that John could
no longer escape making a reply. He en-
deavored first to put a check upon William's
volubility, but this was ineffectual. There
was, however, one consolation, she was never
referred to when others were present. Day
after day passed, and finally William more
earnestly than ever sought John's opinion.
" Thee is well acquainted with Ruth, John,
and can tell me, if thee will, why it is she
turns from me so. I have always treated her
well, and yet she seems very unwilling to
93
A COLONIAL WOOING
listen to me." John would bite his under lip
and look out of the shop window, and when
his companion had done speaking, force him-
self to smile and bid the poor fool remember
about faint hearts and fair ladies. This was,
of course, wholly unsatisfactory, indeed in-
comprehensible to him, and he would seek
for something more definite, as though John
was the ruler of Ruth's destinies.
" Neighbor Watson approves of my suit,
I think," William had recently remarked, in
the course of a long account of his troubles,
and at this assertion John had exclaimed, Oh !
so suddenly that William was startled and
would have asked endless questions, but his
one time partner positively refused to continue
the conversation, and forbade the subject being
again broached in such a manner that even
William could understand, and was hence-
forth silent on that point.
John Bishop from that morning worked
more steadily than before. Never for a
moment did his tools lie unused upon the
bench or the fire get low. He had hundreds
of nails and spikes to make, for there were
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two houses to be built in the coming season,
and, too, for one of them he was to furnish
the crane for the kitchen fireplace, and not a
farmer for miles around but had ploughs to
be repaired, and many a farmer's wife had
sought his skill in fashioning some simple
piece of furniture. From morning till night
he was busy, and bargained with two good
workmen, who were now as steadily occupied
as himself. Everywhere was evidence of un-
usual thrift. William, or any other idler, if
he came, soon found himself in the way, and
left wondering what had changed John so.
The fact is his work had gotten ahead of him,
but now he was far ahead of his work. There
were no delays now, no broken promises, and
in all the dust and smoke John saw Ruth as
we often see a bright streak of rosy light
piercing a storm-cloud, and the ring of the
hammer on the anvil, which meant but thrift
to casual ears, was the cheery voice of Ruth, as,
wandering by the hedge or strolling over the
fields for wild flowers, she sang those simple
songs that once heard he could not forget and
often found himself humming when alone.
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After all, it was not strange that observing
people should continually associate John and
Ruth in their minds, although so very seldom
were they seen together. An aged Friend
that day had expressed surprise when she
overheard John humming a lively air to him-
self. " John, I am shocked at thy increasing
worldliness. Has thee no greater concern
than spending thy time with idle music and
the world's follies'?"
"Did not David play upon a harp and
sing psalms *? There was and is nothing par-
ticularly worldly about my thoughts at this
time. I was thinking of a friend and felt
particularly happy, and silence does not suit
my heart, which at times must speak out, in
what thee called music, but which I take it
was hardly that."
" When concerned with the weighty words
of Friends who have ministered unto us,
would not silence be more fitting*?"
John laughed merrily, to the questioner's
astonishment. He was not thinking of a
Friend of that sort. "I confess, Neighbor
Bunting, that I was thinking of one among
9 6
A COLONIAL WOOING
us that I have not seen very lately, but she is
not a minister."
" Not Ruth Davenport, John !"
" Yes, of Ruth."
" John, let me assure thee that thee is
greatly on my mind. Ruth is a sore trial to
her parents, as thee must know, and I am sad
to think of her unless she turns from her
worldly ways. Thee is not as constant at
meeting as we wish, and it has been long
upon my mind to speak to thee. Does Ruth
prevent thy coming."
John Bishop came very near getting angry,
but Friend Bunting was very aged, and he
could only submit to her questioning with
apparent excellent grace. Of course it was
her right, as an elder, to call his attention to
matters concerning the meeting and his rela-
tion thereto, but at the same time he did wish
she was a man, that he might speak what
he really thought. Was it to be his lot
to preach a new phase of Christianity*? he
sometimes asked himself. Well, with Ruth
for a helpmeet it would not be so great a
hardship as to be forever under the fire of
7 97
A COLONIAL WOOING
criticising neighbors, who sometimes over-
stepped the mark and encroached upon
private concerns. He was getting pretty
tired of the whole matter.
"No," he replied, a little curtly, "not
Ruth, but my shop. I cannot keep my
customers waiting, and must often be absent
on Fifth days."
" No occupation would require thy absence
from appointed meetings unless thee gave
heed to worldly inclination." And with this
parting admonition, John was left to his own
reflections.
As he walked to his shop, a gorgeous
red-bird crossed his path and whistled merrily
when perched in a cedar hard by. " What
a gay worldling, and whistling too !" ex-
claimed John. " How I wish Ruth could
see and hear this bird !" And he looked in
the direction of her home, wondering what
she might then be doing. Friend Bunting
had made no very deep impression.
While John had been thus engaged,
William Blake was on the other side of the
creek, and had been engaged in two very mo-
9 8
A COLONIAL WOOING
mentous conversations. An unusual amount
of bravery had found a lodgement in his
breast, and, believing his investment was, if
not in doubt, in a bewildering entanglement
of claims that his partner had woven about
it, he had actually demanded in plain
terms why it was that he, William Blake,
was paying for everything and yet nothing
appeared to be his. It was the most impor-
tant mental problem he had ever formulated,
and his own words staggered him as he pro-
nounced them, one at a time, as if repeating
the speech of another. " Thy words, Neigh-
bor Watson, are all fair sounding, but always
wind up with the suggestion that I put my
hand in my pocket, and never we put our
hands in." William Blake that day made
the discovery, the only one he ever made,
that he was a fool, and could not remedy the
trouble.
Matthew Watson was astonished, and then,
feeling sure of his position, acted the part
of an indignant man. Of course, he could
withdraw if dissatisfied, but hardly expect to
do so without a loss. He might go to Phila-
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A COLONIAL WOOING
delphia or return to England, or remain, that
he could decide for himself; or he might
find some one who would buy him out, but
it must be a person acceptable to him, as he
did not wish to be associated with those who
were not his co-religionists. Matthew talked
in this indifferent, if not heartless way, and
put his partner in a steadily more depressing
frame of mind, and at last, as usual, overdid
the matter. William said that he should
ask for a committee investigation, though he
really had no grounds for this, for he had not
been defrauded, as the world looks upon busi-
ness transactions, but misled ; but the very
idea of being closely questioned so frightened
Matthew that he did explain and promise to
put in writing and satisfy William's friends,
and so drove the shadows from the deluded
man's brows and put him more at ease ; and
then Matthew urged him home to dine with
him, and as they passed up the lane from the
landing to the house, he made William feel
as if he was a prosperous ship-owner, and the
two shillings he jingled in his pocket were a
dozen golden pounds.
A COLONIAL WOOING
William entered the house with a glad
heart, and, would wonders never cease, Ruth
was as beaming as her step-father had been.
For once he was really happy, because full
of hope, and, seeking an opportunity, he
called Ruth to one side, and in a low tone
that was lost on all other ears he laid his for-
tune at her feet, and would gladly have put
himself there also, did Friends' discipline
permit of such a proceeding.
Ruth was too astonished to make any
reply. This was the first intimation she had
had that this rattle-brained youth had ever
given her a second thought. What could
it mean *? Was it the property in England,
of which he had, of course, heard, and sup-
posed she would go to claim ? A hundred
wild ideas rushed through her mind, and, for-
getting where she was or who were present,
she turned and ran out of doors, down the
winding lane, and on and on until out of
breath, and then, turning about, ran back
again, but not to where she had left William
standing in blank amazement, but by him to
her mother, and, catching her by the hands,
IOI
A COLONIAL WOOING
said, " Mother, is the world coming to an
end, as one of our ministers is always pre-
dicting *? William Blake wants me to marry
him."
William Blake looked very much as if he
would like to escape if he saw any means of
doing so. Ruth's brothers laughed and stared
at him. Matthew Watson drummed the toe
of one of his heavy boots very distinctly on
the bare floor ; and then followed a brief but
oppressive silence.
Finally her mother spoke, to the relief of
the older people present. " Ruth, thee is no
longer a child, and should not treat thy friends
so strangely. Perhaps thee did not under-
stand what William said."
"I do not think there was a chance for
that. No, William, I cannot marry thee.
It is very kind to make the offer. Per-
haps"
" Well, Ruth, well !" exclaimed William,
with strong hopes rilling his breast again.
"Perhaps I may go to England in the
spring."
102
Chapter IX.
The Reply to the Letter.
SEVERAL weeks had passed since the arrival
of Revell Stacy's letter with its important
message to Ruth, but as a reasonable time
had been granted for a decision in so impor-
tant a matter, a final decision had not been
reached, and the serious discussion of the sub-
ject from time to time postponed, although
Matthew Watson was anxious to send a
reply, and had improved every opportunity
to impress both upon Ruth and her mother
the desirability of the former accepting the
property on the terms offered by her uncle
Timothy, and " remember, Ruth, Revell Stacy
does not say that thee can never return to the
province."
" Thee has never read me the full text of
his letter, and I should be allowed to judge
of it by hearing or seeing it," Ruth replied.
Matthew's face flushed as he heard these
insinuating words, and he looked steadily at
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the blazing fire on the hearth, and then, as a
reason for still looking anywhere than at
Ruth, knowing her searching eyes were upon
him, he poked viciously at the burning sticks
and caused a shower of sparks to rush up the
wide chimney throat. Not until then could
he command himself as thoroughly as he
knew was necessary, for Ruth was an an-
tagonist, on occasion, that he really feared.
She had too frequently divined his thoughts
and without apparent interference thwarted
his plans.
" Is it not most unseemly, and before thy
brothers, too, to cast a doubt upon my words
and intentions ? I have told thee an estate is
at thy command upon conditions, and what
more need thee know *? Friend Stacy's letter
has other matter that is for my eyes and not
thine, and am I not standing in thy father's
place *?" he asked, with some show of emotion
but with more of vexation.
"And perhaps not thinking what would
have been my father's thoughts."
" Ruth, Ruth !" exclaimed her mother, with
a deprecatory tone.
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A COLONIAL WOOING
"Mother dear, with the coming of the
spring I shall be eighteen years old, and so
expected to speak for myself where I only am
concerned, and that is but a short time off.
Let me have the privilege now, for the impor-
tance of this letter will not admit of more
delay. Father has said a decision must be
reached, and I agree with him." And then,
turning to her step-father, she asked, " Am I
to read the letter myself, or is what thee has
told me all that I am to know ?"
"What I have told thee is all that thee
need know, as I have already said to thee."
" Then if I err in judgment from ignorance
of the truth, the sin will fall upon thee," Ruth
replied, with a trace of anger in her voice.
" Ruth, Ruth, do have greater concern as
to thy words. Father should have thy con-
fidence."
" Yes, mother, should have," Ruth replied,
in a manner that plainly indicated that he had
not.
What seemed a long silence followed, the
family all gazing at the fire, the parents with
troubled faces, the boys curious and looking
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first at one and then another of the three who
were so intimately concerned with the subject
under discussion.
Finally, Matthew Watson began moving
uneasily in his chair and was about to speak,
when Ruth, anticipating him, said, " Mother,
will thee not decide for me 1 ? I have said
again and again I would not leave thee, and
thee has said I should not go against my
will, but there has been a cloud of sorrow
resting upon thee ever since the hateful letter
came. It has made me a cause of discontent
and worry, as father's actions show, and I
would be led by those who should speak for
me as to my duty. As Friend Bunting has
said to others of me, " I am with you but not
of you,' and if not as strict a Friend at heart
as my parents, is that not my misfortune rather
than my fault? Why will thee not decide
for me, mother *?" asked Ruth, with her voice
trembling with emotion.
" Had thee given more heed to the solemn
words of our meetings," began Matthew
Watson, in his sing-song voice that made
most people distrustful of the speaker without
1 06
A COLONIAL WOOING
clearly knowing why, " thy mind would not
be disturbed " but Ruth was in no humor
to listen to his cant, and cut it short, saying,
" I want mother's decision now, and then I
can better listen to whatever thee may have
to suggest. Do speak, mother," again im-
plored Ruth.
" I cannot, indeed, I cannot," her mother
replied, still gazing intently at the fire.
" Thy mother " again began Matthew
Watson.
" Father, this conversation must be be-
tween mother and myself. We hold a rela-
tion to ourselves with which thee has nothing
to do, and I cannot help it if thee is pained
by what thee calls my perversity. To go to
England means to leave my mother, and she
shall decide, and would have decided before
this if thee had not so persistently interfered.
I can only guess thy wishes from thy guarded
words, but it is mother who has to judge of
this, not thee. She knew my father, and
knows his people well ; she can tell me, judge
for me. They are world's people, are they
not, like the Pearsons'?"
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A COLONIAL WOOING
"They are not Friends, Ruth, and thy
father was disinherited because he became
one. They would treat thee kindly, I have
no doubt, but thee would not likely remain a
Friend ; but, Ruth dear, how can I judge in
so weighty a matter ? Matthew, can thee not
lead us to a proper conclusion *?" asked Ruth's
mother, turning her face towards her husband.
" Mother," spoke up Ruth, quickly, " I will
not have father's judgment; I want thine.
Did thee not hear what I have said, or will
thee not heed thy o'wn daughter's prayer for
guidance ?"
Again a long silence followed, and it was
well. Calmer thoughts came to each troubled
breast, and there was reason to believe that
the vexed question would be finally solved.
Ruth had changed her position, and now sat
on a low stool at her mother's feet, with one
arm upon her lap and the other around the
neck of her brother, who still sat on the floor
unmoved, by the chimney corner, awed by
the strange and at times angry discussion he
had heard. Seated according to her wishes,
and as she had so frequently sat for many
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A COLONIAL WOOING
years, Ruth looked long and lovingly into her
mother's face, and then, her eyes brightening
and her face that had been drawn and troubled
broadening to a sweet smile, she said, " Father,
my words were not what they should have
been, but my heart was sorely tried ; what, if
thee will tell me, is thy wish*?"
" I have had much concern," her step-father
slowly replied, " upon my mind concerning
the letter, and given it attention that its im-
portance demands. I have conferred with thy
mother and some of our meeting. There is
not a unity of thought on the subject, but if
thee can find thyself strong enough to remain
a Friend, I would advise thy going. Thee is
not called upon to change thy faith, and per-
haps may be a means of changing others."
As the purport of his reply became evi-
dent, Ruth's mother slowly bent over her
daughter, until her face nearly touched Ruth's
floating wealth of golden hair, and when his
last word was spoken, she exclaimed " Ruth !"
and began sobbing unrestrainedly.
At that moment there came a loud knock
at the door, and even Ruth's mother, who
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A COLONIAL WOOING
had for long years held her feeling under
complete control, although she sat up and
with a quick motion brushed away the tears
from her eyes, could not conceal all trace
of the intense excitement of the past few
moments. Ruth made no effort to conceal
her feelings.
Matthew Watson rose and went to the
door. As it opened, Robert Pearson entered
the room, and, with a courteous greeting to
all, remarked in his cheerful way of the
splendid weather then prevailing and his dis-
appointment at not seeing him, Matthew, at
the meeting about the survey of the new
road. Then, seeing that both Ruth and her
mother wore most anxious, troubled looks,
his whole manner changed, and he asked if
any one were ill or had bad news been re-
ceived.
" Matters of great concern detained me, to
my regret," Matthew replied, for he was one
who did not wish any public matter to pro-
gress without his association with it, and the
more prominently, the better he was pleased.
He took it as a slight if his opinion was not
A COLONIAL WOOING
always asked and his judgment requested.
Robert Pearson saw that family matters had
been under discussion, and he judged of their
general character, for he had heard from Ruth
all that she knew of the Stacy letter. "Good-
ness, Cousin Anne, you look as sober as an
owl, and Ruth isn't much of an improvement
over you. I'm almost afraid to mention my
errand." By this time the traces of grief
were pretty well effaced, and Ruth thought,
as she saw her mother's effort to greet her
cousin's chaffing with a smile,
Grief doth quickly come and go ;
How small a thing is sorrow !
To-day 'tis only ill we know,
But all goes well to-morrow.
" I hope I have not called at an unfortunate
time and interrupted a family gathering."
" No, no, not at all, cousin ; what was thy
errand?" asked Ruth, hoping it referred to
herself.
" It was to ask if Ruth might not return
with me. Mrs. Pearson and the girls greatly
desire her company, as we have planned a few
A COLONIAL WOOING
simple games and pleasantries for the young
folks. You have no objection, I hope." And
Robert turned directly to Ruth's mother as he
spoke.
Matthew Watson was annoyed beyond
measure, but his fear of Ruth, who had finally
deferred to his judgment, made him cautious.
He waited a moment, and, finding his wife
did not reply, said, " I hope, Neighbor Pear-
son, that thee has not in contemplation any
worldliness to further poison Ruth's mind.
Her lightness and want of care for spiritual
things is a sore trial to us."
Ruth was on her feet in an instant, for she
had not wholly risen when Robert entered
the room, but a look from him checked her
speech.
" As I am in thy house, and in their pres-
ence," pointing to Ruth and her mother, " it
does not become me to inquire too closely
into thy meaning. It sounds like rather a
serious charge, this of poisoning Ruth's mind,
but it is likely one of those high-sounding
phrases so common in your people's mouths,
that has very little behind it. Do you not
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A COLONIAL WOOING
suppose, though not a Quaker, that I have
some care for my honor and that of my own
house 1 ? Really, the more I see of your faith,
as it is sometimes practised, the less I am
drawn to it. What do you say, Ruth, would
you like to come, and will my good cousin,
your mother, consent?"
" If Matthew does not object, I am willing,"
Anne Watson replied, with a suspicion of
doubt in her voice as to how her husband
might take her words.
Ruth was again about to speak, but felt
that her cousin's eye was upon her, and, look-
ing up, caught from him a glance suggesting
caution if not silence on her part ; but she
was too excited not to speak out, and, with
fire on her tongue, was about to express her
opinion of her step-father, when Robert's
pleading look restrained her, and she said, so
mildly that Robert laughed, " I will come,
gladly; when do they expect me?"
" They hoped that you would return with
me, so can you not say, ' I will go,' instead
of 'I will come"? Then I shall have the
pleasure of your company, and we will make
8 113
A COLONIAL WOOING
the old oaks ring at the bend in the road and
hide behind them when the girls come tearing
down to meet us."
The two Watson boys stared as if fright-
ened as Robert Pearson spoke in his cheery
way, and the thought vaguely crossed their
young minds, what good times the world's
people have, and why is it so wicked?
" Father," said Ruth, as she was about to
leave the house, " thee may write to Revell
Stacy and say that I accept the conditions
and will come as soon as I can." She did
not look at her mother as she spoke; indeed,
she dared not; but after pausing at the door
a moment, she returned and kissed her, with-
out speaking.
114
Chapter X.
Ruth and her Cousin.
RUTH'S mother and Robert Pearson were
second cousins, and about the same age, but
he seemed to every one much younger than
he really was. It was not altogether by
chance that Matthew Watson had located
where he did when he came to America.
He had heard from his wife of her cousin
Robert's flourishing condition. How with
but a mere remnant of a wrecked fortune he
had come to West Jersey, and now, in a few
years, had become a substantial man of af-
fairs. He had preceded the Watsons several
years, and, fond of company and partial to
his own kin, had been very urgent, when he
heard of their arrival at Philadelphia, that they
should take up the tract of land that was sepa-
rated in part from his own by the creek. He
had succeeded in carrying his point, and Mat-
A COLONIAL WOOING
thew Watson had had no fault to find. Noth-
ing had been misrepresented, and in every
business relation Robert Pearson had been
pre-eminently just and considerate, but soon a
strained feeling arose that nothing could over-
come. Robert was not a Friend, and had
never realized what was the full purport of
Quaker principles until he had met Matthew,
who unfortunately represented much more
than the tenets of George Fox called for. He
had found beneath the plain coat and broad-
brimmed hat abundant evidences of our
common nature. He had found that both
Quakers and Churchmen had like weak-
nesses, and learned too, to his surprise, that
the latter were considered legitimate game
of the former. There was an elasticity of
conscience occasionally exhibited that at first
disgusted and then amused. Matthew could
do that which would benefit himself, but
could not repeat it for the benefit of another.
In short, Robert Pearson looked upon him
as a fraud, but said nothing in public ; the
public looked upon him as a wonderful man
and were never tiled of shouting his praises.
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A COLONIAL WOOING
As in all such cases, the whole truth was
never quite laid bare.
As Ruth grew to womanhood, Robert had
watched her career with great interest and
encouraged in every way her friendship with
his own daughters, who were younger than
she. It was a red-letter day to him when
he discovered by mere chance the interest
that she had excited in John Bishop's breast ;
for Friend though he professed to be, John
was a Quaker of a different type, and recent
events had made him more and more the
friend of Robert. It was the latter who had,
while keeping in the background, urged the
dissolution of the partnership with William
Blake, and since then had aided John in
purchasing a small plantation adjoining his
own, a hundred acres of upland and meadow
that partly laid between the Pearson and
Watson tracts.
As the day was fine and the walking ex-
cellent, Ruth and Robert were in no hurry to
reach the Pearson house ; they strolled rather
leisurely along ; so deliberately, in fact, that
Ruth thought there was a purpose in it, and
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A COLONIAL WOOING
finally said, " What is on thy mind, cousin ?
Thy gayety, that made the boys stare when
we left the house, has all gone. Has thee
repented of thy bargain already to see me to
thy house *? I know the way and can go un-
attended without risk. There are no drunken
Indians lurking in the woods, I suppose."
And Ruth looked archly at Robert, who still
maintained a sobering silence.
"Well, cousin," Ruth again remarked,
after they had gone some distance, " if thee
doesn't speak soon I snail turn back."
" I was thinking, Ruth ; and let me ask,"
said Robert at last, " was there anything seri-
ous going on when I called, or is it none of
my business *? I have noticed that your step-
father has been very self-occupied of late,
much more so than usual, and gives less at-
tention to the affairs of the province, to every
one's surprise."
" Why, don't thee know ? I am offered a
fortune if I will go back to England and stay
there with my cousins. Uncle Timothy has
done this, and I don't know whether I am glad
or not. To-day, thee knows, I said I would
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A COLONIAL WOOING
go, but poor mother " And Ruth did not
dare go on, her voice rapidly failing her.
" I have heard something of it, as has
everybody in the township, but nothing very
definite, and have been waiting for particulars,
without caring to ask any pointed questions.
Now, do please tell me all about it, if it is no
secret," urged Robert. And she gave him all
the details, so far as she knew them.
" That's very strange," her cousin remarked
when she finished her story. " You should
insist upon seeing the letter."
" It would be of no use to insist. He
may have hidden or burnt it, for all I
know."
"That is not likely, and others might
prevail where you could not," Robert sug-
gested.
" Then he might blame mother and worry
her still more. No, no, don't do that."
And Ruth showed she was frightened at the
mere suggestion.
" Then I would not go," said Robert, im-
patiently.
" But I have promised now to do so, and
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A COLONIAL WOOING
what else can I do, as he is urgent, and
mother " And here again Ruth's voice
trembled too much to speak further.
" Come, come, Ruth, don't bother about
it." And, quickening his steps, Robert looked
about him arid said, " I believe it is going to
snow."
The sky was then overcast with one dull
leaden cloud, and by the time they had crossed
the creek and were following the winding
path through the oak woods on the creek's
north shore feathery flakes began to fall.
Faster and faster they came, so that the air
was filled with them when Ruth and her
cousin reached the Pearson house.
Robert had not announced their coming,
as he had proposed, and, stopping a moment
at the gate before they entered the little
kitchen door-yard, said, " Ruth, do not speak
of this letter from England to the folks
here, please, and let me think the matter
over for you. There may be something
behind it all you know nothing about."
" Why, cousin, what do you mean.*?"
asked Ruth, with a puzzled look.
A COLONIAL WOOING
" I cannot explain now, but trust me. I
am as much thy friend as thy step-father "
What more Robert was about to say will
never be known. While he was speaking,
a jaunty titmouse clung to a drooping branch
of the elm that towered above them and
clearly whistled, "Sweet here ! sweet here!"
" Take a hint from that little bird, Ruth.
Don't you know what it says ? It's 'sweet
here,' and I hope you'll find it so. There
are the girls now, looking out of the window.
Come, let's go in."
Ruth quite forgot her cares, doubts, and
general conflict of emotions when with the
Pearsons. Kindly greeted by the girls' mother
and smothered in kisses by the girls them-
selves, she made one great effort to swallow
the lump that was rising in her throat and
succeeded. Everywhere in the house there
was sunshine, though now so gloomy out of
doors, and she could have kissed the grinning
slaves, Rebecca and Hagar, she was so happy.
Every reasonable means of enjoyment, even
to a few books, had been provided, and the
Pearsons were accustomed to discuss every
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A COLONIAL WOOING
political feature of the province, and selected
by his agent in town what little current litera-
ture drifted to Philadelphia ; for Robert had
always found shillings to spare when there
was a book to be bought. These volumes
were ever an attraction to Ruth, who had
been taught to read and write by her mother,
but with no other books in the house than
those that treated of their religious society.
" No Cross, no Crown" had been her spelling-
book, and was now in use again as her
brother's " reader." Matthew Watson had a
mutilated copy of the Bible. It had origi-
nally been a portly volume carefully bound
in leather, with elaborately tooled edges and
corners and with ornate brass clasps. Besides
the Old and New Testaments, there had been
the order of Common Prayer, the Apocrypha,
and the whole Book of Psalms, collected into
English metre. All these had been cut out
and destroyed, except a few pages of the
rhymed version of the Psalms. These Ruth
had found and most carefully concealed. To
read them was one of her stolen pleasures,
and from them she had received her earliest
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impressions of poetry, and soon began making
little verses for her own amusement. In later
years she had heard at Pearson's portions of
Shakespeare read aloud, and when she had
ventured to read a little for herself, the world
seemed everywhere so full of meaning, except
in her step-father's house. Here at Pearson's,
too, her education had been advanced and
her faculties quickened by the judiciously
narrated history of her own times and those
troublous ones that preceded it, told by
Robert's mother, now a very aged woman
with weakened body, but with mind and
memory unimpaired.
It is true, her mother had made Ruth's life
a most pleasant one while she was yet a child,
and now the boundless love of the daughter
for her mother made Ruth's life far from irk-
some while at home, but in spite of it all
there was a constant longing for a wider out-
look that could not be repressed ; and the
failure to discover that wickedness reputed
among the "world's people," as all non-
Quakers were called, had made her sceptical
concerning the wisdom embodied in Fox's
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A COLONIAL WOOING
Journal and Barclay's Apology. " There
may be less soberness, mother," Ruth had
been heard to say, " but I have not yet heard
indiscreet speaking. There is laughter con-
tinually, but it is like the songs of the birds
to which thee loves to listen. Father is like
a sturdy tree that grows in the forest; my
young cousins are like the wild roses that
grow beneath the windows, and, mother, did
not the Lord make them both ?"
Ruth's mother scarcely suppressed a faint
smile and merry twinkle in her eyes when
thus questioned, but her husband's step was
heard, and she had but time to reply, " Thee
is too young yet, Ruth, to understand these
things. Be careful that thy words do not
prove a wile of the adversary."
" Does thee mean thy cousin Robert is the
evil one *?" she whispered, and then, kissing
her mother, darted away before her step-father
could cast a shadow over them.
The storm was raging without, but not an
intimation of it crossed the Pearson thresh-
old. There was abundant warmth and light
in the grand old kitchen, and the walls, to
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A COLONIAL WOOING
the outermost corners of the sitting-room,
were aglow, reflecting the forked tongues of
flame that leaped from the hickory logs piled
upon the andirons. There had been game
after game, from sunset until now, an hour
after supper, when fortune-telling had been
proposed, and Ruth was to personate a gypsy
queen. No one could do it better. She
knew the whims and fancies of the young
folks present, and made all happy by her
witty suggestions of each applicant's future.
Then, when there was little left to be said,
she remarked, "But nobody has told me
mine !"
" Let me do so," suggested Robert Pear-
son ; and, taking his stand near Ruth, said,
looking at the palm of her extended hand,
" An excellent fortune shall be thine,
But not from across the sea.
It awaits thee now, if I read the sign,
My pretty Quaker fairie."
All laughed heartily, except Ruth. Her
cousin's conversation before they had entered
the house recurred to her, and what could he
mean by hinting of the letter now ? This
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A COLONIAL WOOING
sobered her for a moment, and then she, too,
laughed, saying, " Thank thee, Cousin Robert."
As she spoke, she looked towards the door,
for some one was coming in. It was John
Bishop.
Coming forward, he shook hands with
Ruth and said, " I trust Friend Pearson is no
false prophet. What is thy view of the
matter *? I did not know of thy expectations
from across the sea, except a vague rumor,
until William Blake told me this afternoon."
" What, pray, has William been telling
thee, John *?" asked Ruth, not aware that John
still held her hand.
" That thee is to return to England very
soon, and he is to accompany thee. He did
not know the latter part of these strange
tidings himself until thy brothers told him.
It seems they overheard thy parents talking
of the matter, and Friend Watson is desirous
that William should sell his share of the boat
to him, or let him act as his agent, and return
to England with thee."
This sudden breaking of the news in the
Pearson household caused all present to
126
A COLONIAL WOOING
gather about Ruth and John, and there was
naturally a babel of questioning and expres-
sions of disapproval and regret. Ruth stood
the ordeal wonderfully well, but John was
much chagrined to find that he had unwit-
tingly published what was in some measure
a secret. But he did not deserve the blame
he put upon himself. He had not been
cautioned in any way, and then had not
Robert referred to it in the fortune-telling?
Besides, how was he, still a young man, and
desperately in love, to keep wakeful guard
forever on his tongue ? He had called this
very night to say a word or give a look that
Ruth might interpret, for he had seen her
pass near his shop that day on her way to
Pearson's, and he knew she had not returned.
Robert Pearson looked troubled for the
time, and then said, rather loudly, to show
that he meant it for all, " When we see a
great smoke there is likely to be some fire at
the base of it, and so with Ruth. An old
uncle has left her something, but all tied
up in conditions, and so perhaps not worth
going after. I for one won't let her go after
127
it, if I can help it, when there's many a stout
lad in the province that would only be too
glad to lay all he had at her feet."
" Cousin, cousin !" cried Ruth, her face red
as a rose ; and, putting her hands to her ears,
she ran out of the room.
The young people ran after her, and Rob-
ert, turning to John, touched him upon the
arm and said, " Let's go into the kitchen and
smoke our pipes. I want to say a word about
this matter." And seated there, in comfort-
able chairs, Robert told John all that he
knew of Ruth's affairs, and added, " I believe
it is an ugly business and should be thwarted."
Then, after a pause, for John could make no
reply, so confusing were his thoughts, Robert
said, " Have you spoken to Ruth *?"
" About what <?"
" Why, about yourself." And Robert
laughed heartily. " Man alive ! everybody
knows you are in love, and I for one am
glad to know it. Why else did you talk to
Bunting's old hound in that queer way some
time ago? You didn't know, of course,
there was an eavesdropper about, but there
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A COLONIAL WOOING
was. Well, speak to her your very first
chance, for I'm sure she likes you, and then
it will give her a chance to punish you for
interfering with her bathing." And Robert
laughed again.
" I will be guided by your advice, Friend
Pearson," replied John, and might have said
more, but was interrupted by Robert's re-
mark,
" Please call me by my name. I have seen
just a little too much of this ' Friend this'
and ' Friend that' to altogether like it."
" But I am a Friend," John replied, with a
broad smile lighting his pleasant face.
" Yes, but of another sort."
" Good-night, father ; good-night, Neigh-
bor Bishop," was heard from the head of the
stairs. " Ruth's going to bed, and so are we.
Good-night."
So John saw no more of Ruth ; but when,
an hour later, he went out into the storm, it
was with so many pleasant thoughts, that he
scarcely noticed that it was still storming.
129
Chapter XL
The New Tear.
As the older people of the Crosswicks Val-
ley found, and the younger element, in later
years, too discovered, the nominally long
winter drew all too rapidly to a close. Every-
where there was a hint of the coming spring.
Noisy blackbirds hovered over the marshy
meadows ; starlings whistled from the willow
hedges ; even the song sparrows in Watson's
gooseberry hedge sang so cheerfully that
Ruth's mother often stopped to listen, and her
husband, busy out of doors, seeing his wife
bareheaded, at an open door or window, won-
dered if she were calling him and he had
not heard, and so asked if he were wanted, in
those harsh tones that silenced every sparrow
and caused his wife, after a vigorous negative
shake of the head, to shut the door or window
in despair.
It was the beginning of the year, and
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Matthew Watson was stirring in the matter
of taking advantage of the first open water
to have the boat begin her trips to and from
Philadelphia. Through the winter he had
talked much with William Blake in glittering
generalities, but thought and planned more
with himself, down to the minutest details.
In spite of the golden future he set forth to his
partner, there lingered a feeling of distrust on
William's part, and he was ready to sell out
at any time, if not at a loss ; and Matthew's
propositions all required some sacrifice.
Worn almost to illness and wholly despair-
ing of gaining the affections of Ruth, William
thought seriously of his partner's suggestion to
return to England with her, and who knows
what change might take place in the girl's
mind when away from all her old acquaint-
ances but him. Matthew Watson had hinted
of this and of leaving him as his agent in the
boating business. He could then speak of his
investments in America, Matthew had sug-
gested, and the words had a charm for Wil-
liam's weak mind that was powerful if not
quite overpowering. Should he sell or make
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such arrangement as had been suggested*?
His own efforts to solve a problem were
always futile, and he sought John Bishop's
advice ; but there he could get no satisfac-
tion. It was not an easy question to answer,
and why not seek some prominent man of
affairs ; why not consult William Emley or
Thomas Lambert? If distrustful of his
partner, why not sell out, even at a loss ? for
it was worth something to be rid of worry.
This last bit of advice was lost on William,
however. What transpired after his last visit
to John's shop William did not tell, but a
bargain was reached, and he was for the
second time free to come and go and to
invest his steadily diminishing capital.
So the days passed. There was activity
both within doors and without, for Ruth had
to make her preparations for the journey, and
her mother was busied about it too whenever
her ordinary household duties would permit ;
but " why do this and why that?" her mother
often asked. " Can thee not get better suited
when thee gets home *?" And her voice would
always change at the utterance of that last
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A COLONIAL WOOING
word ; so much so that Ruth had learned to
expect it, and would try to kiss her mother
before it was spoken.
" But don't thee know, mother, I am to be
so busy there converting my cousins ? Father
says that I may be the instrument of a great
change among my people ; but really, has
thee ever discovered any converting tendencies
in me? Father's words are not always in
accord, for he has charged me with perverting
others by my example. Oh, dear ! I do won-
der what England is like." And Ruth would
go on steadily with her needlework, and if she
looked up from it, her eyes would wander but
in the one direction.
" What does thee think, mother," Ruth
asked one day, " of my plan of having John
make me two small oaken chests to hold all
my worldly possessions ? I want them made
of oak from the creek's north shore, and he
can use the brasses that are on the old chest
in the garret that got so badly broken on
shipboard when we came over."
" The chest, dear, is not so badly broken
but it can be mended, so father says, and one,
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A COLONIAL WOOING
even if large, would be better suited to thy
needs than two, and John has scarcely time
for such work now."
" He has fully two weeks, and it is his
trade, mother, and why not humor me since
I am so soon to leave thee 1 ? I still have those
silver shillings that thee has said were always
mine, and I feel as if I ought to begin to be
a woman of affairs and make my own pur-
chases."
" Thee is a strange child, Ruth, and I am
much concerned for thee, but I see no serious
reason why thee should not have this whim,
as thee calls it, carried out. Why does thee
not ask father? and if he thinks proper, let
him speak to John."
" Will the time never come when I can
speak myself to John without the whole prov-
ince raising its eyebrows ? Wherever I go it
is John, John, John ; not shouted at me, but it
might as well be, for that is the meaning of the
noddings and smiles and wise looks of every-
body in Chesterfield and Nottingham. I wish
this same ' everybody' was just one person,
and John would give him or it a ducking in
134
A COLONIAL WOOING
Crosswicks Creek." And Ruth's eyes flashed
as she gave this full expression to her feelings.
" Ruth dear, I am astonished at thy words."
" So am I. Bother these words ; they are
none of them strong enough, and I dread to
shock thee with some of the words of the
world's people. Just for half a day how I
would like to be a man and swing my arms
right and left among some of the gatherings
about the old oak in the meeting-house yard.
I never heard a syllable, but it always seems
to me, judging from appearances, that every
group is gossiping about Ruth and John
John and Ruth."
Her mother could not repress a smile,
although she tried to look serious. A good
deal of her old self was welling up to the
surface, but she said, " Has it never occurred
to thee, Ruth, that thee might be giving
more thought to thyself than others do con-
cerning thee*? Are we not too apt to hold
ourselves at more than our real value 1 ? I think
I have seen the world enough to say it is a
common failing."
" True, mother ; but there's a difference "
135
A COLONIAL WOOING
" Ah ! Ruth, each of us holds herself as
the exception to everything undesirable."
" But, mother," Ruth insisted, " there is a
difference. I do not concern myself with my
neighbors, and why should I be singled out
as the target for all their gossipy arrows?
Would it not be more fitting, if I must be
criticised, for the Friends to wait until I have
really done something terrible, or or well
well, until John Bishop asks me to marry
him ? I wish he would."
" Why, Ruth !" exclaimed her mother, in
astonishment.
" Yes, I wish he would ; for then I could
give him an answer that would end this
tattle."
"But would thee, Ruth?" asked her
mother, recovering from the shock of her
daughter's strange declaration.
" Would I, mother ? Why, how can I
tell until he asks?" And then, leaving the
little rocking-chair, she took a stool and
placed it at her mother's feet, and taking her
mother's hands in her own, rested her head
upon them, and sang in a low voice,
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A COLONIAL WOOING
Oh, for the laddie with merry een,
The laddie I greet when I gae
For a walk i' the field ; 'twas so yestreen,
His words were as music to me.
Oh, for this laddie with dark-brown hair
And skin that is kissed by the sun ;
Oh, when shall it be his love he'll declare,
Oh, when can I call him my own ?
Oh, for this laddie, who knows no fear ;
With him, hand in hand, to the end
I would walk, all my days a-laughing at care,
Then die in the arms of my friend.
Then for almost an hour they sat as they
were, neither speaking.
Matthew Watson had gone to Burlington
and the boys were out of hearing. Ruth
and her mother knew that they were free
^om interruption, and it is not strange that
they should have been so superlatively happy.
The thought of their soon parting did not
trouble the mother for the moment, and the
daughter seemed never to give it a second
thought. She treated it like some ordinary
occurrence, and so had roused her mother's
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A COLONIAL WOOING
curiosity. Never again might there be such
an opportunity for mutual confidences.
" Ruth dear, tell me, what is thy feeling
towards John*?"
" Why, didn't I tell thee in my little song ?
That is what I meant to do. I love him,
mother."
" Has he ever spoken to thee of this ?"
" No, mother, but I can read his thoughts ;
and oh, if I should misread them !" And
Ruth drew a long breath and pressed her
hands to her heart.
" Why, Ruth, what is the matter *? asked
her mother, much impressed by such a
violent gesture.
"Was thee ever young thyself? Why
does thee ask ?"
" Then, dear, what will thee tell him, if he
should ask thee, before thee goes away ?"
" That he must go away too."
"But thy cousins in England would
scarcely approve of John ; he is not of thy
father's rank in life, and they account such
things of much importance, as I learned
when thy father "
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A COLONIAL WOOING
"Do, mother, let us talk of something
else. Thee has sought my confidence and I
have given it. If John asks me to marry
him, I shall say, ' I will,' and will hold to my
promise, if it means giving up that fortune
over there and coming back, and I wish it
would. Better John with what he can ac-
quire than what Uncle Timothy has left me
with an ' if.' But, mother, suppose any one
should have heard our conversation, wouldn't
tongues be wagging all over Chesterfield'?"
And Ruth laughed merrily as she thought
of such a thing happening. " I shall write a
message on a slip of birch bark to save paper,
and send it to John by the boys. I'll find
out, at least, if he can make them."
" Had thee not better let father attend to
this 1 ?" asked her mother.
" Decidedly not, mother. Let me have my
own way this time."
" This time *?" repeated her mother. " Has
it not always been so ?"
The note was written, the boys called
from their play and sent upon the errand of
delivering it to John. They were not gone
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A COLONIAL WOOING
long, and brought back with them the reply :
Dear Ruth, There is no mention of the size
desired, and the brasses of one large chest will
hardly fit two small ones. Shall I call for par-
ticulars? J. B.
Ruth laughed at the indefiniteness of her
note, and while debating with herself as to
the desirability of writing another and more
explicit note, she saw John Bishop approach-
ing the house.
" After the boys left," he said, on entering
the house, " I thought to save thee trouble I
had better come directly for the necessary
directions. Of course I can make the chests,
but I am puzzled about the old brasses."
"Oh dear, father is not home, and I do
not know that I can have them. Never
mind ; I will use the old chest, which mother
says can be mended. It was a foolish notion
that I had of having two small chests instead
of one that is large enough to hold all I've
got and me too ; at least this side of the
ocean."
" What does thee think of Ruth's return-
ing to England, John?" asked Ruth's mother,
140
A COLONIAL WOOING
at the same time watching his countenance
closely as he listened and replied.
" I have scarcely given it a thought,
Neighbor Watson."
"Well!" exclaimed Ruth; "that is not
very flattering, I must say ; but then we are
not supposed to make pretty speeches about
each other."
John looked a little confused, but quickly
caught himself and said, " Surely I am very
sorry. Perhaps she will return to thee one
of these days. I do not believe our old
homes will be as attractive to her as these
newer ones that we have here. Ruth cannot
remember England, surely."
"Oh, no, and I don't care to go back,
either, even on a visit. It's a case of necessity,
it seems, that I wish had not arisen."
The idea of the new chest was abandoned
with a promptness that made Ruth's mother
wonder if it had been but an excuse on her
daughter's part to have John call. This was
not a generous view to take nor a correct
one, and the girl would have been furious
had she thought her mother entertained it
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A COLONIAL WOOING
for an instant ; but circumstances did point
that way. John, too, was surprised at the
sudden abandoning of the plan, and, seeming
to have no further reason for staying, bade
them farewell in the formal fashion of the
day. But Ruth walked with him to the
door, and as he was about leaving the thresh-
old, upon which he paused for a moment,
she said, in a subdued tone that was not
natural to her, " I am sorry, John, that I gave
thee so much trouble."
" Sorry ? Ruth, don't let such a trifle as
that annoy thee. I am sorry I cannot be of
any use to thee. So it is really settled that
thee is going away." And John as he spoke
looked directly into her eyes.
" Oh, yes, it has been settled for some time ;
but I do wish William Blake was not going
in the same ship."
" Had I not better go too, to keep William
from worrying thee?" asked John, trying
hard to smile, but too much in earnest.
He had asked a question in mingled fun
and seriousness to which she must reply, but
how could she without opening up to him
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A COLONIAL WOOING
her whole life ? She bit her lower lip until it
almost bled to restrain her feelings. In
another moment she would have precipi-
tately fled, but John caught her hands and
said, in a manner that meant everything,
" Ruth."
"Yes, John," she whispered, with eyes
brighter than he had ever seen them, and
then withdrawing her hands, turned away.
John Bishop walked with lighter steps
than he had ever done. The hills, the
trees, the creek, his shop, all the world was
wrapped in a new light. Ruth's mother,
standing by the window, saw him go, and
said, as her daughter came to her side, "John
walks as if thee had given him pleasant
tidings."
" Mother, I have given him my heart."
Chapter XII.
Straightening the Lines.
ROBERT PEARSON and John Bishop were
so frequently seen together that it was but a
short time before gossip had made them its
victims, and the women were all agog to
know what it meant, and John was always
absent from Fifth day meetings and with his
wits in the clouds 'on First day. He was a
changed man, it was commonly said, and of
course because led astray by the worldly Rob-
ert Pearson. Both men heard rumors to this
effect, and let them pass unheeded. There
was a steady growth in the population, and
that was worth considering, and ship-loads of
new-comers were soon expected. Such facts
made them busy men, and, eminently practi-
cal, they foresaw the increased value of their
lands and were ready to increase their acreage
as opportunity afforded. The creek was the
only water-way leading to Philadelphia, and
the roads were of little use. Better shipping
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A COLONIAL WOOING
facilities should be provided. Whenever
John could spare the time he and Robert
were to be seen passing and repassing the
ground, and they had kept William Emley
pretty busy in surveying. For their own
advantage, whether they proposed to retain
or sell, it was decided by them that the whole
region should be replotted, and various metes
and bounds more definitely fixed. In this
matter, which far more concerned Robert
with his thousand acres than John with his
hundred, it became necessary to consult with
Matthew Watson, for to exactly define the
limits of his tracts along the creek and those
of Robert Pearsons was no easy matter ; but
Matthew was suspicious, and claimed he
knew just how his property lay, and Robert
ought to, as its former owner ; and was not
every foot of it recorded in Revell's Book of
Surveys'? What more did he need or could
any one ask *?
"The cost will be but trifling," Robert
urged, " and a general resurvey of this whole
valley with its tracts of marsh will prevent
disputes that may arise in the future. Do
10 145
A COLONIAL WOOING
you see that great ash-tree at the bend of the
stream *? Is it on your land or mine ? Is it
a boundary tree *?"
" It is my corner, where it abuts against
Hutchinson's land."
" So I supposed you 'Id say. If you'll read
the deed over again, you'll find it's the small
ash twenty feet to the westward that marks
the line. Freshets have carried off monu-
ments, winds have uprooted trees, and if you
wanted to put up a fence, you would be
puzzled in the particulars, if right in a gen-
eral way. I have induced John to buy the
Hutchinson marshes, for some day, if ditched
and banked, they will become excellent pas-
ture, and what he does not buy I will take
myself. We have seen the proprietor and
agreed upon the price."
" Why was I not consulted *?" asked Mat-
thew, impatiently.
"About what, our business?" replied
Robert. " And since when have you shown
such friendly interest in our affairs as to wish
to advise with us *? Really, Friend Watson,
your manner is a puzzle to me. Would
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A COLONIAL WOOING
you have bought the unsurveyed tracts that
have been begging for a purchaser since you
came to the country *? Before the passing of
the deeds we purpose having the tract again
surveyed, and the new survey compared with
the old, and if our neighbors will not join us,
John and I will form ourselves into a meadow
improvement company, and perhaps some
day startle the valley with a project to build
wharves, deepen the channel, and generally
cause a peaceful revolution. This is not a
mere boast or an over-statement, John, do
you think ?"
" It is the subject of our thoughts of late,
certainly, and is, I trust," said John, turning
directly to Matthew Watson, { ' a proper con-
cern for me. As the Friends in this township
and in Nottingham so greatly outnumber all
others, is it well that they should take no in-
terest in the general betterment of our estates?
You that have families should surely consider
the welfare of those who have been intrusted
to your care."
" Quite a sermon," whispered Robert, with
a sly nudge that Matthew did not notice.
A COLONIAL WOOING
" I am inclined to thy views, John," Mat-
thew deigned to admit ; " but my surprise is
that thee did not consult with Friends before
entering upon such an enterprise. It was my
advice, I think, that led thee to establish thy
shop."
" Oh !" exclaimed Robert Pearson, with
his eyes turned skyward, thinking, " Is that
a sample of a Friend's veracity *?" For it was
he, and he alone, who had brought John
Bishop and William, Blake together.
" Well, Neighbor Watson, we cannot
stand all the day idle, you know. John and
I have an engagement, and will carry out our
plans without you. The weather is superb,
the meadows dry for a wonder, the frost is
all gone, and yet it is but the middle of the
month. The shop is in good hands, John's
help being a very skilful man."
" Thee may be as rash as thy fancy that
the winter is over ; there will be snow and
sleet yet." And Matthew turned away, glad,
it would seem, to say something disagreeable
in reply to Robert's abounding cheerfulness.
It was a splendid afternoon. The whole
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A COLONIAL WOOING
earth seemed upon the point of awakening.
There was warm sunshine, a clear blue sky,
the winding creek, now almost free from' ice
and glittering like polished gold ; and every-
where faint traces of green showed in the
sheltered nooks, where the warmth of the
sun was held as one might hold water in the
hollow of the hand. The air, the trees, the
leafless shrubbery, alike were filled with birds.
Over the meadows gathered the redwings
fluting merrily ; the grakles in the tall trees
spluttered and croaked, as though they were
hoarse from overmuch rejoicing ; the wild-
fowl, returning from the south, curved in and
out among the scattered trees that bordered
the creek's crooked channel, and whistled and
chattered where they gathered in the shallow
pools that dotted the marshes. Everywhere
in the broad landscape there was abundant
evidence of life, and above all other sounds
rose the deep rattle of myriad frogs. Robert,
loving more and more the wide landscape
that had been so long familiar to him that it
had entered into his daily life, touched John
upon the arm and said, " Is this not beautiful?
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A COLONIAL WOOING
Do you remember a prettier scene in old Eng-
land *?" And without waiting for a reply con-
tinued : " And then to think, John, it is our
home. What comfort in the thought we
are not subject to the whims of a landlord,
eh ?" And Robert waved his arms about him,
as if he would embrace the nearest tree and
kiss it.
John smiled at his enthusiasm, but his
thoughts were running in another channel.
" If I mistake not, there comes Ruth ; is she
going to thy house ?"
" I suppose so from the direction she is
going ; and that reminds me, John, have you
taken my advice ?"
John's face grew very red and he tried to
turn the conversation, but Robert saw his
aim and diverted it. " I believe you have,
and she has not said thee ' nay,' or you
wouldn't get so fiery red. Remember, John,
I have a right to speak since our last conver-
sation. But what of this plan of her going
back to England for a fortune?" asked Rob-
ert, with a sneering tone as he spoke the last
words. " Will you go with her *?"
15
A COLONIAL WOOING
" How can I, with all these ventures in
land upon my hands ? I have hopes yet that
she will not go ; but if she does, I shall have
to go after her and bring her back."
" If I can prevent it, she shall not go,"
said Robert, with an emphasis suggestive of
an oath.
" But how can thee ?" John asked, with
much interest.
"How old is Ruth?"
" Eighteen in Third month next."
" Not eighteen until May ; that's bad,"
said Robert, thoughtfully.
" Why, may I ask thee *?"
" Until then she is a child and must obey
her parents."
" Obey her mother, I suppose. Has Mat-
thew any legal right over her ?"
" His having supported her all these years
would give him right, I suppose, but not if
Ruth's mother had something from her first
husband and she has supported Ruth, and I
think that is the case. It would be an ill-
judged step to interfere, but if Ruth will join
us, if she really loves you and you her, why
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not circumvent Neighbor Watson? Plots
and counter-plots, eh, John? Why, it is
like reading a play of the olden time. We
were going to straighten some lines in the
meadows to-day; let us see if we cannot
straighten some of the lines in Ruth's life
and yours, John. Come, let's step about and
join Ruth before she reaches my lane, or the
girls will see her coming and you'll have no
chance to get in a word." And Robert took
John by the arm and they hurried in a new
direction, the former full of the new plan
and eager as a boy for the bloodless fight,
while the latter had ideas in plenty, but just
now in a bewildering state of confusion.
152
Chapter XIII.
A Visit to Burlington.
EARLY in the day, while a chilling fog
rested over the landscape and the candles
were yet burning in the kitchen of the
Watson homestead, a negro brought a horse
to the door, saddled, and with a leathern pack
also upon the horse's back ; and after waiting
for a few moments he was relieved of his
charge, and Matthew Watson, mounting the
patient beast, turned its head towards the
public road and was soon out of sight. His
destination was Burlington. The road was
a long and lonely one, and the recent thawing
weather had made the way so muddy and
yielding that it would be well towards night
before he arrived at that flourishing town by
the river. Matthew's purpose was, if possible,
to secure passage for Ruth on one of the two
ships that had been lying there all winter;
and having transacted that important matter,
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he would return promptly, or failing, would,
if necessary, keep on his journey to Phila-
delphia.
Many were the errands he had been
charged with by his wife and boys, for the
journey to town was an undertaking of some
magnitude, involving an expenditure of both
time and money ; but Matthew was not
given to bothering about trifles, as he called
much of everybody's business but his own.
" I trust I shall find Friend Gardiner at home,
for he can best aid me in my concern to
secure a proper vessel," he said to himself;
" if it was only the other way, there would
be no difficulty. Still, there are Friends
returning in almost every ship, and William
will be on board." Say what he would to
himself, Matthew did not find the outlook a
pleasant one. What if she were the only
woman on board *? And with this thought the
man's stern features sterner grew. He was
taking a fearful responsibility on himself, and
he knew it, and why ? Because he had failed
to make of Ruth a prim, spiritless Quakeress,
blind to about all that makes a life worth
154
A COLONIAL WOOING
living. A dull, grasping animal himself,
nothing akin to pleasure ever cast a ray upon
his mind that was not physical rather than
intellectual. His occasional remarks in
meeting had no bearing on his own life ; but
his interests lay in his standing with the
people with whom his life had been thrown,
and his religion and his interests were so in-
separable as to be practically one. Ruth had
been a thorn at times in his flesh, and yet his
smothered sense of justice had forced him
often to admit to himself that her views of
life were neither irrational nor irreligious ; but
they were not the views of Friends, and his
own judgment must not weigh. He could
scarcely be Friend Watson and a controlling
spirit in meeting and yet have a worldling in
his family. William Blake had a little prop-
erty, and could he but bring about her mar-
riage, then his responsibility would cease,
and he could control William if he lived in
the neighborhood ; then, too, the cost of her
maintenance would no longer fall upon her
mother. What a piece of good fortune
this opportune letter of Revell Stacy's, that
'S3
A COLONIAL WOOING
made his way plain and provided for Ruth !
But Matthew was troubled lest his motive in
withholding the letter should yet be discov-
ered. " It is my judgment that it is best for
her," he continually assured himself, and all
the while his " inward voice" that he had
been known to preach about told him he was
not to that extent "his brother's keeper."
It was Ruth who was left to judge. To suit
his own distorted views of duty he dared
defy law and justice and decide for her.
There was a passage in the letter he dared
not let her read. Had he done so, she would
have reached a different conclusion.
At times as he rode along, meeting no
human being and so communing continually
with himself, his fears almost overcame him,
and he would check the horse's progress ;
but then the thought would come, to return
would be to make known the truth, and the
meeting would stand aghast at the grievous
sin of one of their leaders. " It must be
that my judgment is correct," he would
mutter, and then, bolstered by the sound of
words he uttered and vainly tried to believe,
156
A COLONIAL WOOING
he pressed forward towards the town. It
was a tiresome, lonesome, dispiriting journey,
and Matthew dreaded to make known, in a
garbled way, his errand when he reached his
destination. Might he not contradict him-
self; might he not seem unduly anxious
and possibly rouse suspicion in the minds of
Friends ?
This was too much for his stubborn pride,
and he exclaimed, "Nonsense; whoever
questioned me or my motives'?" And with
renewed confidence in himself he shifted his
position, looked out upon the world instead
of at his horse's neck, and rode on with more
of the appearance of an upright man.
While the sun was setting back of the
Pennsylvania hills Matthew Watson rode
into Burlington, and, having found shelter for
his horse, wended his way to Thomas Gardi-
ner's and became his guest for the night.
The affairs of meeting, of the province,
every topic that he could think of, was duly
discussed, and not until the other members of
the family had retired did Matthew mention
the main purpose of his visit. The " Shield"
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and " Welcome" were still at Burlington, he
had learned, and did Friend Gardiner think
that passage for a young woman could be
had upon either vessel *? " Is she alone ?"
asked Thomas ; " if so, it would not be pos-
sible. There are so few people that return,
and particularly at this time of the year, that
boats take merchandise only on the home-
ward passage. That a young woman should
go with but the crew on board would not
be proper, nor, indeed, would the captain of
either vessel assume the responsibility of such
a charge. And who, may I ask, is this young
woman that would return *?"
" My step-daughter, Ruth Davenport,"
Matthew replied.
" Ruth Davenport return to England !"
exclaimed Thomas, in blank amazement.
"And why must she go? Why, she has
been with thee since an infant."
" Her uncle Timothy has left her prop-
erty." And Matthew gave him the same in-
formation he had given others.
Friend Gardiner listened attentively, and
then, after some minutes spent in silent reflec-
ts
A COLONIAL WOOING
tion, deliberately replied, " I should think
out of thy abundance thee might well main-
tain Ruth until she married, as she likely will
do, and give her a portion then. She must
be as a daughter to thee after all these years,
and thee has no daughter of thy own. I am
amazed at thy eagerness to have her go."
"But Ruth is not a Friend, as I would
wish, and her worldliness is a sore trial to me.
I had thought that the Friends in Yorkshire
might prevail upon her, and she become
an instrument in the welfare of her cousins.
Thee may know the Davenports are worldly
people."
" I cannot follow thee, Matthew, in thy
reasons. Were she my child or step-child,
she should not return, unless with me ; but
if thee is fixed in thy resolve, and Ruth is
willing, she must go in the care of some
returning Friend from Philadelphia. As the
season advances, there will doubtless be such
an opportunity."
" But she must go at once to prevent the
bequest of her uncle being of no effect
through her absence. William Blake, that
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A COLONIAL WOOING
is of our meeting, proposes to return with
Ruth," replied Matthew, with evident doubt
as to the effect of this information.
" And who is William Blake, may I ask ?
I do not recall the name."
" A young Friend from Nottingham that
has been in the province for several years.
He is much interested in Ruth, and will
surely be company for her during the voy-
age."
"William, a young man, and Ruth, a
young woman," remarked Thomas, slowly.
"No, Matthew, I can give thee no advice,
unless it is that thee reconsiders the whole
matter ; and let me add, the meeting will be
lax in their duty if they do not inquire
closely into this whole subject. Thy anx-
iety to have her go, whatever the way and
whatever the consequence, is a strange view
of parental duty."
" Is not her going for her own good,
good in both ways? She acquires an inde-
pendence in England, and is saved from
possible marriage with one whom I fear is
not at heart a Friend. I am doubly doing
1 60
A COLONIAL WOOING
my duty, as I see it ; and as Ruth has so long
been stubborn and received my reproofs with
so little concern, she surely can care for her-
self during a voyage to England."
" If she sailed from here, she would land
at Bristol, and it would be a lonely journey,
if alone, from there to Scarboro."
"But William would accompany her,"
persisted Matthew.
" I cannot assist thee ; it is a matter that
I highly disapprove of." And here the con-
versation ended.
The next morning Matthew learned, as
Thomas Gardiner had predicted, that the
captains of the two vessels then at anchor
before the town were both unwilling to take
Ruth as a passenger unless other women
went along ; but there were ships at Phila-
delphia in which passage might be engaged.
No offer that he could make would induce
them to change their decision ; and, more
chagrined than he dare admit, he was left
with the alternative to return home with
nothing accomplished or go on another and
longer day's journey to Philadelphia, and
II 161
A COLONIAL WOOING
this he did. Even here he found difficulties
and delays, but at last completed his task ;
and, as there were to be two other women
passengers, neither Thomas Gardiner nor
any of the Friends in Chesterfield could
adversely criticise him. He felt infinitely
relieved, and yet, two days later, when he
attended meeting in Burlington, the Spirit did
not move him to speak. Thomas Gardi-
ner's eyes seemed steadily fixed upon him,
and he was glad when the elders shook
hands and meeting' was over.
Matthew's peace of mind, or that stern
confidence in his own strength which did
poor duty for it, was not improved by the
events of his trip. The cost was almost
treble what he had anticipated, and he had
much to provide for Ruth's comfort while
on board. The sea was apt to be rough,
the weather bad, and the voyage a long one,
but he could take no backward step. He
engaged her passage, and Ruth must now
return to England about the middle of the
month.
What, then, was his amazement when,
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A COLONIAL WOOING
soon after reaching home, his wife remarked,
as he was beginning to force himself to be-
lieve the threatened storm was over, " John
Bishop has spoken to Ruth in thy absence
and she has accepted him."
" Ruth accepted him !" he exclaimed,
rising suddenly from his chair ; " then does
she decline to return *?"
" I have not heard her say, Matthew ; but
why should not John return with her*? or
perhaps she will marry him and not go. I
am too much troubled of late to think or
advise ; thee must speak to Ruth."
" She is at Robert Pearson's, thee said ;
will she return to-night*?"
" I think not. She said it was likely to
be her last visit there, and she will stay as
long as possible. Thee knows how attracted
she is to Robert's daughters."
" It has been a grievous trial to me," re-
plied Matthew, assuming what might be
called his " meeting" voice, " that we ever
permitted her to become so friendly there.
Are there no young people of Ruth's age in
the land except at Robert Pearson's ?"
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" But Robert is my cousin, Matthew."
" Which does not lessen our responsibility
in Ruth's case. Should she marry out of
meeting or against our wishes, what will the
elders say of me, of us, as guides in our
household"? She is yet a child and must
obey as a child, and what she may have said
to John Bishop is not binding upon her."
And Matthew walked to and fro across the
kitchen floor, with his hands clasped behind
his back.
" She may hold- her words binding, Mat-
thew, and I believe she will."
" Have I, then, no authority in my own
household*?" asked Matthew of his wife,
standing near and looking intently at her.
Anne Watson knew when silence was
golden, and made no reply.
164
Chapter XIV.
Plots and Counter-plots.
" RUTH," called Robert Pearson, when he
and John were within easy hailing distance,
" have you no eyes for your cousin or for "
but Ruth had heard, and, stopping suddenly,
waited for the two men to come up to her.
Her greeting was cordial, but a little more re-
strained than it might have been had it been
either John or Robert instead of both.
Her cousin noticed this at once, and before
Ruth had more than said she was glad to see
them, said, in a cheerful but earnest way,
" Let's get down to business at once, Ruth,
and blow the poetry of courtship to the
winds. There is no time for it now."
Ruth blushed as her eyes wandered towards
John, and he was very rosy, and so the more
handsome in her eyes ; but his quick glance
spoke volumes, and Ruth knew they had met
her for a serious purpose.
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" Ruth, neither John nor I are willing that
thee should go to England, if it can be pre-
vented, and the question before us is, can we
prevent it 1 ? I know of thy understanding
with John, and so we will make no further
reference to that, but let me add, I guessed
it and was not told." And Robert looked at
John and laughed heartily.
Poor John ! he wished that Robert could
attend to all this without his aid and he was
busy in his shop. For the first time since
their " understanding," as Robert called it, he
had met Ruth, and under what strange cir-
cumstances ; and the thought came stealing
across his mind, Is this the conduct the
world expects of a Friend *? To enter into a
conspiracy ! But he saw Ruth's inquiring
glances trying to read his thoughts, and forth-
with all concern for other matters vanished.
He had, in truth, but one thought, one aim,
one ambition, Ruth ; and as he looked at
her now, their glances meeting, he tried hard
to have her read his heart.
" This is an ugly business, Ruth, and must
be grappled with caution. Matthew has the
1 66
A COLONIAL WOOING
advantage in many ways, the law is on his
side ; so, above all else, appear to be obedient,"
said Robert, earnestly ; " a good deal will
depend upon thy power of acting a part."
" But I hate it ! Why can't I speak
out*?"
" How like a woman ! Mad in love with
her lover, and before then mad in love with
herself. Always acting a part, and a fetching
one, too, that made many a Quaker breast
thump like flails on the threshing-floor, and
now she tells us she hates acting. Why,
Ruth, was it not your sweet acting, the part
you played, that won John ?"
" Is this your important business, Cousin
Robert"? If so, I will go on to the house."
" Now, who is acting, Ruth ? As if you
could leave John in that heartless way. But
come, let us talk seriously."
" I wish thee would," replied Ruth.
" Then let me unfold a plan, and ask for
nothing but what we tell you," said Robert,
speaking again in a sober, earnest way.
" That's like father ; only so much as he
sees fit to tell me."
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" He is not thy father, Ruth, and I wish
thee would not call him so," said Robert,
impatiently.
" Mother would be displeased if I did not ;
but he is only father in name, and this I
always remember when I speak to him. I
do not remember that I ever kissed him in
my life."
"And you'll not kiss him good-by, I'll
warrant," Robert replied ; and said, further,
" This, in brief, is what John and I have
determined upon. You are to start "
"To start?"
" Yes, to start, and let the finish be in other
hands. You shall not be left in doubt at
any stage, but must trust implicitly, that
there be no failure. A misstep might work
endless mischief, you know. Isn't there
some sort of a saying about a misstep well,
perhaps I'm thinking of something else ; but
trust us, John and I, and all will be well, and
how the whole province will say ' amen !' "
"Robert, thee frightens me. Is what
cousin says thy counsel too?" And Ruth
gave an anxious glance towards John and
1 68
A COLONIAL WOOING
held out her hand, as if she asked for his
support.
John took her hand and said, " Yes, Ruth,
Robert is the better spokesman, and let him
give my wishes their words. I trust thee
will follow his advice in every particular.
What is his counsel is mine, and when the
day shall come that I can speak freely, there
will be no words too strong to express how
much we owe him. I once was instrumental
in snatching thee from danger, and Robert
may prove equally timely in drawing thee
from another and a greater one." And John
suddenly ceased speaking, feeling that fur-
ther speech might too strongly betray his
emotions.
" Thy earnest words, that sound so unlike
thee, do not relieve my fears, John. What is
the whole truth, John, Robert*? Do some
one tell me ! What has happened that I
should be sent away from home, and be in
danger too from the time I start 1 ? Why is
there so much mystery about it all ?" And
Ruth was rapidly working herself up to a
dangerous pitch of excitement.
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" We are playing a game of chess, but this
time with living figures, such as I wished to
teach you, and it rests with you whether or
not Matthew Watson is checkmated and
you, mated." And Robert laughed at his lit-
tle joke at Ruth's expense. " Either John or
I will give you written instructions, which
you are not to read until on board the boat,
and then without being observed by others
to do so. Follow these simple directions
and don't fear for the result. It may appear
like taking a leap- in the dark, but your
present ignorance is your future good."
" I believe thee, cousin ; but it seems all
so strange," replied Ruth, with an effort at
cheerfulness.
" We cannot, if we would, tell you much
more now, for all our plans are not matured.
We have yet to learn what thy step-father
proposes to do. You are to go down to
Philadelphia in his boat, I believe, and
when?"
"The ship I go in sails on the twenty-
fifth of Second month."
"The last week in April; well, that's
170
A COLONIAL WOOING
some days off; but, John, we must not let
grass grow under our feet. Ruth, here is a
little commonplace book with a dozen leaves
left in it. Whatever you learn worth re-
porting write on one of these leaves and
find some way to get it into John's hands
or mine, but without folks knowing it.
Don't let it be all covered over with love
messages." And Robert made the woods
ring with his merry laughter.
" But how can I do this ? I cannot carry
the leaves to John, thee knows."
" Much as you'd like to." And Robert
laughed again.
" I believe thee will laugh at thy own
funeral, cousin ; but do tell me how, and
please don't tease me so," pleaded Ruth, and
she took a step nearer to John.
" That's right ; put yourself under John's
protection. You can't commence too soon."
And again Robert laughed more heartily than
ever.
" It is too bad of thee to go on so when
I am all worked up with worry and dread.
John, why does thee let him tease me so ?"
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A COLONIAL WOOING
At this appeal Robert could no longer
contain himself, and laughed in his hearty
way till his sides ached ; then composing
himself, he said, " I'll tell you how. I have
to see Neighbor Watson almost every day
about the new flood-gates, and, instead of
meeting him at John's shop, I will come to
the house and bring my maps and plans
with me to spread out before him, and while
we talk you can slip the note into my hand,
or put it in my hat, or leave it under the flat
stone by the lane gate. Only, I charge you,
if you value your welfare and John's, find
out all you can, and don't appear to be find-
ing out anything ; and what you hear report
to us."
" I will ; and now do let me go home, for
I have no head to carry on a conversation
even with the girls, and want a chance to
think in quiet; and oh, I am so tired of
standing !"
" No, don't go back. Let the girls take
care of you, and mother will coddle you till
you're rosy as an apple again. If I meet
Neighbor Watson as John and I go back
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A COLONIAL WOOING
to the shop, I'll tell him you won't be
home."
" But you won't see him, for he went to
Burlington ; but I told mother I might stay."
Ruth hesitated a moment. She wanted to
say just one word to John, and yet Robert's
presence restrained her. She must content
herself with a formal hand-shake, she thought,
which is such a poor substitute for a lover's
farewell. Did Robert catch the current of
Ruth's thought *? John, too, lingered a lit-
tle, and, while Robert's back was turned, he
bent over Ruth's upturned face and, kissing
her for the first time, whispered, " Farewell,
Ruth, and trust us."
173
Chapter XV.
Music in Meeting.
ON the west window-seat in Pearson's
parlor there was an JEolian harp. For
several years this had been a source of de-
light to Ruth, who never tired of the sweet
sounds issuing therefrom when the soft
breezes breathed upon its strings. From it
she had received a few crude ideas of har-
mony, just as the metrical version of the
Psalms had given her an idea of versification.
The two had made her a poetess in a primi-
tive way, and after a fashion a musician.
Her thoughts would often run to rhyme, and
she would startle her hearers with giving
expression to her thoughts, as though hum-
ming an old song. It was this strange
habit, which grew upon her as the years
rolled by, that caused her cousin Robert to
nickname her the "Quaker Fairie," with
long-drawn emphasis on the final syllable.
A COLONIAL WOOING
This was a bit of pleasantry on Robert's
part that would possibly have been straight-
way forgotten, but when he found his use
of the name had startled and astonished
Matthew Watson, he never lost opportunity
to make use of it in her step-father's presence,
and even went so far as to bribe the old man's
boys, when little fellows, to call her " Fairy
Ruth ;" but the bribe was not sufficient recom-
pense for the punishment they received, and
the practice was nipped in the bud.
The harp at Pearson's was so constantly
in Ruth's mind that she one day improvised
one for herself, merely placing a single,
tightly-drawn thread at the window's base
and raising the sash so slightly that it would
not be noticed as not all the way down.
The result was pleasing. A faint, weird
sound filled her little room, and, as she
watched the setting sun and listened to this
sweet whispering of the passing breeze, she
composed many a short song in her artless
way and stored them in her memory. The
facilities for a written record of her thoughts
were scanty, and to-day, though the weather
A COLONIAL WOOING
was chilly, she sat by her window and listened
to the harp that all winter had been silent,
and turned over and over the blank pages of
the little book Robert Pearson had given
her. " If I had had such books as these
some years ago, how full they would have
been now !" she said to herself; " and I do
wonder if one leaf now cannot be spared ;"
for she longed to write a real letter to John,
something she had never done in all her life.
"But why is there no music to-day*?" she
asked aloud, and tjien, looking more closely
at the window, found the cord had been
removed, and remembered she had taken it
to the almost unused sitting-room down-
stairs, and there it had been all winter. She
laughed at her discovery, and then took up
the blank-book again. Why, indeed, she
thought, should she have been taught to
more than write her name, there was so little
opportunity to make use of the knowledge.
It had been a source of drudgery at times,
for it had fallen upon her to teach her
brothers penmanship, and neither boy took
to such instruction willingly. She was
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A COLONIAL WOOING
learning nothing of importance, and so, why
not a single leaf? There was ever so much
to tell John, and when, at last willing to risk
it, she thought of the ink-horn locked in her
step-father's desk and no knife to whittle a
goose-quill. " How did Robert expect me
to write to him, with my blood smeared on
the paper with a stick *?" she said, aloud, and
made the little room ring. " What a help-
less creature I am ! But it will not be always
so." And Ruth went again to the window and
looked out over the country for some time.
Then she turned about and showed a face
wreathed in smiles. " How they'll stare and
start if it works !" she exclaimed, and, look-
ing towards John's shop, she kissed her hand
to the smoke that rose from its chimney and
whispered, " Good-by, dear."
" Ruth dear," her mother said, as her
daughter walked demurely into the kitchen,
"father is concerned to have a religious
meeting held here next Fifth day, and desires
that thee should know it."
" Brother told me this morning, mother ;
I suppose he overheard father speaking of it."
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" I do trust thee will be present, and not
wander away, forgetting thy privilege until
too late," her mother said, in such a sober
way that it plainly showed she had some
misgivings.
"Never fear, mother dear, I'll be here."
And Ruth put her arms about her mother's
neck and held her in a tight embrace.
When she could get her breath, the
troubled woman said, "Do, Ruth, give up
thy strange habit. Thee is almost a woman
now, and what will thy cousins think of
thee?"
" My cousins *? Who, the Pearsons *?"
"No, dear, those in England;" but the
words and the thought were too painful for
Ruth's mother, and she leaned her head on
her daughter's shoulder and said no more.
" Please, mother, do not worry ; thee
promised to be cheerful until I started, and
this is not keeping thy word." And Ruth
kissed her parent again and again.
"But thee '11 be at meeting; father
feared"
" Then father is a"
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" Ruth !"
" Is altogether mistaken."
*******
Ruth was busy all the next day, and had
scarcely time to do more than send word to
John, without using a sheet of her cousin's
note-book, that she hoped nothing would
prevent his being present at meeting at her
father's house on Fifth day morning, signing
the note, with no little fluttering, " Thine,
Ruth." For a long time she looked at those
two words, which meant so much, so very
much more than she perhaps realized ; but
could sorrow follow the fulness of such joy
as now possessed her *? She could not believe
it. And then, looking, as usual, towards
John's shop, she asked herself, When will
the day come, and what of the " Pearson
plot," as she called the long conversation
with her cousin and John, that " leap in
the dark," what did it mean *? But with all
this strange medley of joy, doubt, and fear,
she was trustful, and felt safe beyond all
harm in the care of her cousin and of John.
" Mother," asked Ruth, " will meeting be
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held in the west room or in the kitchen or
in the hall, or all of them *?"
" In the west room, dear," replied her
mother, delighted that her daughter should
show so much interest in the matter ; " and
if that will not accommodate the Friends,
there will be room in the hall."
" The women Friends will sit in there,
then," said Ruth, pointing to the west room,
" and the men in the hall. I shall sit next
the window, and if the preaching is not
good, I'll listen to the birds on the hill-side.
They sing many a lesson we m might well
take to heart. A merry bird is the foe of
despondency, I've heard cousin Robert say,
and I incline to many of his views."
" Ruth dear, I fear thee is not a Friend
at heart ; surely John Bishop, too, does not
hold thy strange views."
" Mother, if it is strange or worldly or
wicked to love a singing bird, then I am
wicked all over and through and through.
How often have I told thee this ! And,
mother, when I was a little girl and came
into the house with my apron full of flowers
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and threw them in thy lap, thee would laugh
and call me a little witch, and why should a
few years make such a difference 1 ? Why,
the day I spent at the basket-maker's by the
three beeches, and that poor Indian, ' that
benighted soul,' as thee calls him, told me
about the birds and beasts and where the
eagle had its nest and the lynx its lair and
where the rare flowers grew in the gloomy
woods, I learned more than ever in any
meeting, and been the better ever since, for
I have seen the world look bright when
others might say it was a dismal time o'
year. We 'have no right to treat this beauti-
ful world as beneath our notice because we
do not understand it. That poor Indian's
knowledge may not be of such use to him
as it should be, and I wonder how he, know-
ing what he does, can be willing to lie in a
drunken stupor so often ; but, mother, he
has made the sun to shine more brightly for
me every time I go out of doors, and things
mean so much more to me now, and the
birds and flowers preach sermons that make
what the Friends say seem very crude and
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harsh. No, I do not like attending meeting
as well as a ramble in the fields or over the
meadows. I can think better there and
come back more at peace with myself and
the world than when I come from meeting.
John knows this, and while he does not
quite approve, perhaps, he has never taken
me to task for such worldliness. Besides,
mother," said Ruth, after a pause, and with
a sudden lighting of her face and added
lustre to her splendid eyes, "he has never
had a chance to' say much since." And
knowing that her mother knew to what
time " since" referred, she abruptly stopped
speaking.
" Thee is like thy father's people, Ruth ;
but when thee is older I trust there will be
a sobering of thy views and such a change
as thy father experienced. I have tried very
hard to keep thee "
" Straight ? Well, mother dear, I have
only been a little wavy at times, but kept a
pretty direct course. Don't thee know how
the water bubbles and boils in the brooks
where there's a stone or stick in the way?
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but it gets by them and runs on smoothly
as before ; so I bubble and boil over when I
meet with a bird or a flower or hear Pear-
son's pretty harp on the window-seat, but I
never leave the channel of my life and find
myself floundering out of my element ; so
in the end well, mother, who, after all,
knows about the end *? Friend Bunting and
Friend Stacy preach and pray, pray and
preach, but, mother, do they know, know
all about the mystery of a human life?
Does thee suppose Friend Bunting will be
preaching at me all Fifth day morning? If
so, I shall close my ears."
*******
Fifth day came, sunny, warm, and with
that gentle westward breeze that has been
aptly called the breath of spring. An hour
or more before meeting was called the
Friends came, in carts, on horseback, and on
foot. They gathered in little knots about
Matthew Watson's yard, and Matthew him-
self was in his element. Never had he been
so satisfied with the world and with himself.
He was a central figure to-day, and never
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were religious phrases so glibly rolled from
his tongue ; for, if worked up to something
near the fever heat, Matthew could talk
easily and well, and after painful preparation
had, at times, become eloquent. Robert
Pearson had been wicked enough to say that
Matthew's memory was remarkable, and the
sermons preached in Philadelphia had been
carried without damage to the Crosswicks
Valley ; but then Robert was of the world,
worldly, the Friends insisted.
At the appointed hour, ten o'clock, the
Friends had gathered in the house and were
seated as Ruth wished. A dozen women in
the west room and perhaps as many men
in the room and hall, the door being open
and the seats so arranged about it that words
spoken in one room could be heard in the
other. Ruth entered late, and never had she
appeared to greater advantage. Her hair
was not held in much restraint ; as was then
the fashion, matted to the temples like so
many square inches of yellow canvas, such
as samplers were worked upon. Her clear
skin was well set off by the roses in her
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cheeks, and no Friend had yet dared to preach
against them. There was the look of love
in her eyes, meant only for her mother and
John, it may be, but shedding a light over
all, and so appropriated by every one. The
few young Friends present could not wholly
keep their eyes from her, for, being at home,
she wore no bonnet. These young Friends
were not envious, it would be unfair to say
that, but during the silence they timidly
wondered why Ruth was so different from
all others.
Ruth sat at the west end of the room, as
she had told her mother she would, and when
all was still again, for every one moved
slightly when she appeared, she picked up a
little silk shawl that was lying on the window
sill, threw it over her shoulder as if to ward
off a draught, and then put it back. The
whole movement was so natural and so rapid
as to be scarcely noticed even by those
nearest her.
A long silence followed, and then, as Ruth
supposed, Friend Bunting arose, and remov-
ing her bonnet, said, in that "preaching"
IS;
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voice that cannot be imitated, " Whose adorn-
ing, let it not be that outward adorning, of
plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, and
of putting on of apparel."
At this Ruth looked at the speaker with
a little flash of indignation in her eyes, and,
without perceptible movement of her arm,
removed the shawl from the window-seat,
and before the preacher had gotten farther
in her text than " but let it be," the kindly
breeze swept over the hidden cord and the
little room was filled with sweetest melody.
Never before had a text received such a
reception, and whatever was in Friend Bunt-
ing's mind was now beyond recall. She sat
down and replaced her bonnet, as if she
would hide herself from those gathered about
her.
That every one present should look up in
a bewildered way was not surprising, but why
stare at Ruth ! It was too sweet a sound
for any human voice, and yet some of the
gathered Friends thought of her habit of
singing, and wondered if this strange music
too was one of her accomplishments. The
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meeting did not break up. The disturbing,
unearthly sounds ceased as quickly as it
started ; and after a few minutes' silence,
Matthew Watson, without text, spoke of the
responsibility of parents ; of the trials of
godly parents when their children were re-
bellious but Ruth's patience was soon ex-
hausted. Again the little shawl, that had
been carelessly thrown down, was removed,
and, as if the winds were at her command, a
steadier breeze set the cord in motion, and
the weird sound, loud and clear as a trumpet,
swept through the room. Matthew stopped
and stared, then sat down as abruptly as had
Friend Bunting, and as he did so the sound
ceased.
All the while John Bishop had been sitting
by the open door, where he could see Ruth
plainly, and not the slightest motion of her
head or hands had escaped him. He alone
had guessed the truth, for he was familiar
with the Pearson harp. Now was revealed
to him a daring on Ruth's part that surprised
him. He could not approve, yet could no
more condemn. He had never ventured
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before to speak in a religious meeting, but
free-spoken when matters of business were
under discussion. To-day, all was different.
It was a gathering, too, at a private house.
There was no reason why he should not add
his testimony. After a moment's pause he
rose from his chair and said, " Parents, pro-
voke not your children unto wrath." The
elders, sitting in another room, had not seen
him rise, and before the last of the few words
had been uttered those that faced the little
company had shaken hands and the meeting
was over.
188
Chapter XVI.
The Departure of Ruth.
THE day of Ruth's departure came at last,
and she, knowing how full of events the next
few days were likely to be, woman-like, was
more eager to be off than distressed at the
thought of leaving home. 'She knew, of
course, far more than did her neighbors, but
they, in their ignorance, attributed her *' heart-
lessness" to that general strangeness that had
marked all her career ; and as John Bishop
did not go about with a long face, it was
supposed the engagement that had been
rumored had been broken. " Poor John,"
his neighbors said among themselves, " to be
carried away by a pretty face, but with
nothing behind it." These comments may
or may not have come to John's ears, but
he made no sign. However much he might
have liked to let the world know the truth,
it was his part to remain silent ; and while
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Robert Pearson was very active and continu-
ally coming and going to and from John's
shop, Matthew Watson's house, and the land-
ing where the boat was being made ready for
the first trip of the season, John was passive.
There was an abundance of work to be done,
and he and his helpers were busy all day
long, and he worked the harder, so his neigh-
bor's thought, that he might drown the dis-
appointment he had suffered. To think that
Ruth Davenport had dared to trifle with so
good a man ; to accept him as her lover, it
might be said, when she was poor, and then,
finding herself an heiress, coolly going away,
without a trace of regret. " It must weigh
heavily upon her poor mother to have so
heartless a child," was the common verdict
all over Chesterfield and Nottingham. Little
wonder at this, for the children of the town-
ship suffered terribly when a comparison was
drawn. Healthy, good-looking children, and
all that, but Ruth was rarely beautiful.
Ruth had failed almost entirely to learn
the details of her step-father's plans, and not
until two days before his boat was to start
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for Philadelphia did she positively learn
whether the voyage was to commence at
Watson's landing or she was to go on board
at Bordentown and so escape a wearisome
day on the creek, where, indeed, she might
have to remain all night if wind and tide
did not suit when the mouth of the creek
was reached.
Ruth's mother began, at the very last, to
realize how crudely planned was the whole
matter and how little Ruth's comfort had
been considered. Was it to save Matthew
a little trouble or expense? She began to
fear the truth of this and rebelled, and was
the more firm in the stand she took after a
long conference with Robert Pearson, who
urged that Ruth should not go by the boat
at all ; but, if necessary, then let her go
aboard at Bordentown, and so be as little
time as possible on the cramped shallop that
could afford almost no privacy and but
meagre shelter if it was stormy. And so,
though Matthew demurred and rudely re-
sented Robert's interference, it was determined
that Ruth should go in her cousin's wagon,
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the only pretentious vehicle in the township,
and not at all comfortable, but better than
the boat, and he would himself see her
safely on board. Her few personal effects
had been packed in the old chest, and the
morning that it was to be placed on board
the shallop, to the surprise of every one,
Robert brought her two new oaken chests
with stout iron clasps.
" Her clothes are already packed in one
chest that I have given her," remarked Mat-
thew Watson, inipatiently, "and there was
no use of this at all. Has not John enough
to do not to concern himself in such mat-
ters ? Am I not charged with her welfare
and the proper one to see her safely on her
journey*? She has weighed heavily upon
me of late, and .will, it seems, to the end."
" It was an act of kindness on John's
part," his wife replied, gently.
" It would be more of one to have done
nothing of the kind."
" The new chests are stronger than the
old, but one of them is large enough for
what Ruth needs to take. The old one is
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not full. I do not think it will take long to
make the change," said Mrs. Watson, in the
same quiet way ; " but here comes Ruth and
she can judge."
" Yes, she can judge, so thee has always
thought, and we have been led astray con-
tinually by allowing her to judge, where we
should have done so for her. Thee has
humored Ruth from her youth up, and so
brought many a concern upon us," con-
tinued her husband, his impatience more and
more pronounced.
" Well, father, the days of thy trials, so
far as I am concerned, will very soon be
over, so try to have a little more patience,
and don't blame mother when I only am at
fault. What are these ?" And Ruth looked
and pointed at the two chests.
" Ruth dear, John has sent them to thee
for thy journey."
" How nice in him, when I said I did not
need them ! Thee knows I changed my
mind when we talked the matter over."
" Talked the matter over *?" repeated Mat-
thew, in a surprised manner.
'3 193
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" Yes, it was a whim of mine, but I after-
wards thought otherwise ; but John, it seems,
did not. Come, mother, let's out of the old
and into the new. One will do for me, and
thee keep the other for linen."
Matthew seeing, as usual, that he was
wholly ignored by Ruth, and that his words
would fall in all likelihood on deaf ears,
turned away with some low muttered words
that neither woman heard, and in a short
time after they were left to themselves the
unpacking and repacking was accomplished.
Then Ruth said, " Now, mother, let me be
alone here in my little room awhile. I go
to-morrow, thee knows, and I would be
alone ; but, mother dear, I will join thee
very soon, and then " But Ruth's emo-
tions overcame her, and, resting her head on
her mother's shoulder, she wept bitterly.
How few in that community knew what
a trying ordeal was hers, and how bravely
she was passing through it ! But when, an
hour later, she left her room, it was to greet
her mother with the old-time winning smiles,
and as she sat, as she had so often done, at
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her feet, she sang, in her own sweet, peculiar
way a few stanzas that seemed fitting to the
occasion and then a long, unbroken silence
ensued.
Mother and daughter were alike oblivious
to Matthew Watson's presence, and he would
surely have interrupted Ruth had he dared,
when she was singing. As it was, his subse-
quent scolding about the scandal brought
upon him and his house by Ruth's conduct
was spent upon his patient wife.
#**####
The parting was a painful one, and many
were the neighbors that gathered at the
Watson house when, seated in her cousin
Robert's wagon, she commenced her long
journey. Many a neighbor, critical as they
had been in times past, shed an honest tear
as she passed down the winding lane and
was gone.
Matthew Watson looked more stern and
forbidding than ever, and was indisposed to
converse with any one. The truth was, he
had been baffled at many points and his
importance lessened, he feared, even in his
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own house. At least in some particular he
would have his own way, and, without in-
forming his wife, who had denied herself
that day to every caller, he returned the un-
used chest that John Bishop had made.
Ruth's ride to Bordentown was uneventful.
The road was terrible, a mere mass of mud
and tree-stumps that threatened disaster at
every turn of the wheels. She and her
cousin talked at a lively pace on every sub-
ject but that which most nearly concerned
her. No allusion was made to the journey,
but when the village was reached, Robert
made haste to learn if the Watson boat had
reached the mouth of the creek. It had not,
and the time was spent in a call upon friends
with whom they were both acquainted. It
was late in the day when the boat reached
the little wharf and the cabin inspected by
Robert, who expressed surprise that Matthew
had even done as much as appeared. Ruth
could be alone, but in such cramped quarters,
Robert charged her never to stay in the place
long, or she could never straighten out again.
The crew were charged to look after Ruth's
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comfort above all else, and then the moment
for the second parting came. Ruth held her
cousin's hand for a moment as they stood on
the little deck of the shallop, and then turned
her face upward as if expecting to be kissed.
He bent his head down, but only to whisper
a few words, and slipped a folded bit of paper
into her other hand. Then he turned away
abruptly and left her, and Ruth, glancing at
the wide expanse of water as if it were a
farewell look, went into the cabin.
The light was fast fading as she unfolded
the crumpled bit of paper and read, " When
the owl hoots thrice in quick succession, go
on deck to the rudder-post, and if any at-
tempt is made to stop you, take a leap in
the dark. They will not start until after
midnight. William Blake will be on board."
Ruth shuddered as she read these words, and
her strength was well-nigh gone. Her only
source of comfort was in crying, and this she
did. She gave way to her feelings freely
yet without attracting attention. She had
reached a crisis in her life, and could she
meet it*? Why had she not fought for her
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right to remain *? Why had not John mar-
ried her, even if out of meeting? Why
was her cousin Robert willing she should go ?
What was a fortune in England and all her
friends in this country ? These and a score
of other questions she asked, forgetting that
she was really not going away.
It was fortunate for her that she gave way
to her feelings as she did. It was the passing
shower that makes the world clearer and
brighter than before, and she lay down for a
short nap, knowing that through the night
she must be widely awake and quick to
catch the signal, *' when the owl hoots thrice
in quick succession."
198
Chapter XVII.
A Night on the Creek.
JOHN BISHOP worked in his shop as usual
the morning that Ruth left her step-father's
house with Robert Pearson ; and not for an
instant did he give a look or utter a word
indicative of his busy thoughts. To the
world he appeared resigned, giving heed to
that inward voice that was reproving him for
his errors in regard to Ruth, so Friend Bunt-
ing thought ; for after failing to see Ruth's
mother, she had called at the shop, with the
flimsiest of excuses on her lips and her real
purpose showing clearly in her every word
and action. All went well for a while, and
John did not lose his temper, but as the day
drew to a close, he was finally roused to a
pitch of excitement, and told his hired men
he would close the shop early and they
might go. He felt that he must be alone
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after he saw the chest that he had made
brought back by Matthew Watson's boys.
" Did your father send this back *?"
"Yes, he told us to bring it. Mother
was up-stairs when we came, but I guess she
knows too. Sister Ruth hadn't enough to
put in both, and father said thee might find
some one who wanted this, and what was the
charge for the one sister took *?"
John bit his lip to keep from laughing,
and quite forgot the two lads that stood
wondering and waiting for an answer. Fi-
nally coming back from the world of day-
dreams to this more prosy one, he said, " Tell
your father, boys, that Ruth paid for them
both, but I will keep this one for the present."
The boys left without delay, and John again
said to his helpers he would close the shop
and they might go. " I have some accounts
to cast up and such work, and will be some
time." The men left, wondering what had
happened, and, knowing a little and thinking
they knew a great deal more, drew their own
conclusions.
John had not told a white lie. He did
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have a rude account-book with him, and
when alone he trimmed a quill, and, opening
the ink-horn, wrote and figured for some
time. Then going to the shop door, he
looked up and down the road, and, neither
seeing nor hearing any one, he came back,
laid a broad board against the little window
by the forge, and took hold of the handles
at the ends of the little chest. Its weight
surprised him, for surely it was not that
heavy when he sent it to Ruth. He tried
the lid, but found it locked. He looked
and frowned and puzzled over it, and then,
hurriedly searching through a box of old
keys, he tried one after another until a fitting
one was found. The bolt turned ; he raised
the lid and there saw, carefully folded, one
of Ruth's dresses, and clothing was beneath
it to the bottom of the chest. What did it
mean *? Then he saw, pinned to the upper-
most fold of the dress, the little note-book
Robert Pearson had given her. This he
took so eagerly that he endangered both it
and the dress, and found on its first page
a message from her, the second he had ever
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received. It ran as follows: Dear John,
/ am playing a part now that I was not told
to do. Father will surely send back the other
chest, so I have filled the one that goes to the
boat with rubbish, and hope my other will safely
reach you before I need its contents. Can thee
not send it to cousin Pearson's? I have not
time to add any loving words, and why should
I? unless cousin is over-confident. Let us hope
not. Ruth.
John read the note over and over again ;
then closing the little book, he arranged his
dress, putting on' an outer coat, and from
behind a pile of oak and ash strips that were
used in his work took a stout hickory cane.
Then, stepping out, he carefully locked the
doors and turned towards Crosswicks Creek.
It was not as dark as he wished, but he
looked at the sky and saw with evident satis-
faction that the night bid fair to be cloudy
before very long. Avoiding the highway
where bounded by open fields, John walked
rapidly, swinging the stout cane and at times
striking viciously at the twigs that crossed
his path. At heart John was a Quaker, no
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one could doubt this, but to-night he was
one of the fighting type, and they are
everywhere, if we judged by his actions.
Instead of a hat, broad-brimmed and high-
crowned, he wore a closely-fitting fur cap,
and his outer coat was so closely buttoned
that his general appearance was much altered.
An intimate friend might meet him in the
dim light and be in doubt as to his identity.
The path that John had taken was well
known to him, and he made rapid progress,
and, as the distance between the shop and
Bordentown was but five miles, he was by
no means fatigued when he reached the out-
skirts of the village. Then he sat down to
rest and to wait, for he was ahead of time
and had abundant leisure for the supper he
had brought with him.
" This is a strange affair, and not till now
have I realized what Friend Pearson's cun-
ning scheming means," John said to him-
self as he sat in the retired woods, shielded
from every observer who might pass near
by ; but people were not likely to be abroad
at such a time, and there were no roving
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bands of Indians about that he had heard
of.
The little peeping frogs in the far-off
marshes were whistling and clicking merrily,
and as the breeze bore this strange sound
nearer and then carried it away until almost
unheard, so John's hopes and fears came and
went. Not cowardice at the possible danger
to himself of carrying out his plans, but
lest for reasons beyond his control they
might not succeed. Then the flood-tide of
his love for Ruth would sweep over him, and
he was ready to meet the world on any
terms. What though the meeting should
question the stand that he had taken *? He
knew that the truth could be preached from
the hill-tops without reflection upon her or
upon himself, and the murmured slander, the
meaning look, the hint, suspicion on the part
of his nearest friends, all this he must meet,
it may be, but with Ruth by his side he
would have strength to do it. " But," con-
tinued John, musing, " there must not come
an ugly word directly to my ears." And the
Friends' principle of non-resistance and long
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suffering sank into the background. "I
should regret the necessity but not the nature
of the step," John said to himself, with a
fixedness of purpose ringing in every word ;
and then, leaving his resting-place, he turned
at right angles to the path he had been fol-
lowing, and, pushing through a weedy tangle
of vines, dwarfed shrubbery, and sprouting
weeds, he came in a few moments to the
bank of the creek, and found, as he expected,
a large canoe with three paddles moored
near the muddy shore.
" He said I would find what I wanted at
the boat," John muttered to himself; and
stealthily and silently as an Indian on the
war-path here we have a professed Friend
as one he cut a long, slender switch, but
not too yielding, as he held it at full length
over the water. Withdrawing it, he laid it
lengthwise in the canoe, and using his outer
coat, which he had taken off, as a shield,
he struck fire from his flint, kindled a bit of
tinder, and then lit a small lantern, which he
securely tied to the tapering end of the long
pole. This he covered carefully with his
.205
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coat. u If it doesn't go out or burn out I
shall be thankful, and it will be the only
time it was of any use," John said to him-
self, so cheerfully that doubtless he was
smiling when he spoke. It was a plan of
Robert Pearson's that John classed among
the over-confidences of the plan as a whole.
" And now for the seat of war," continued
John, almost audibly, a queer phase for a
Friend's mouth. And with the skill of the In-
dian who had taught him to paddle a canoe
he shot out into the stream and headed for
Bordentown. Every moment it was grow-
ing darker, and if there were other people
abroad at this time in boats, John thought
how readily an accident might happen.
Frequently he stopped to listen, but only the
chatter of the peeping frogs or the swirl of
the rapid waters as the incoming tide swept
about stranded tree-trunks was heard. Then
on and on, guided by the little light that
filtered through the clouds, he at last saw
a dull red light gleaming fitfully near the
water's surface, and he knew that the Watson
boat, with Ruth on board, was near. John
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paddled more cautiously now, and when the
boat was but a hundred yards distant as he
judged, he placed a twisted bit of birch bark
to his mouth and sent the eagle-owl's hollow
cry down the valley of the creek, Hoo
boo hoo, hoo hoo ! and then urged the
canoe ahead with rapid but silent strokes.
Again he sounded the same wild cry, and
now the boat was very near. He thought
he could see the mast, and for the third time,
though not so loudly, sounded the owl-cry
signal. The boat was now reached, and John,
with skilled hand, held the canoe astern with
the paddle.
By standing he could dimly see the full
sweep of the deck, and knew, if Ruth appeared,
he could follow her movements. Would
she never come"? No one can count the
seconds of an anxious minute. Was she
asleep *? Hark ! he saw a crouching figure
coming towards the canoe. It was she !
Reaching the rudder-post, she whispered,
" Cousin Robert."
" Not Robert, but John."
" John ! Oh ! why did thee come *?"
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" Step over the rail and let me help thee.
Quick ; step anywhere !"
" But, John."
" Step quick ; they're coming." And Ruth
was as much drawn over the boat's stern as
she moved by her own volition ; and when
her hands loosened their hold on her step-
father's boat, she sank helplessly into the
bottom of the canoe.
" Courage, dear," whispered John ; " do not
give way now, or all may be lost." But his
words were lost upon Ruth.
" Who's there ?" sounded a rough voice,
and the boat's light was held up as if to cast
a glow upon the water.
. John made no reply, but with a powerful
stroke of the paddle made towards shore.
" Speak, or I'll shoot !" cried the same
rough voice.
" Then you may shoot a woman," John
replied in an unnatural voice ; and lifting
the pole carefully, the coat fell from it, and
to his inexpressible thankfulness the little lan-
tern showed a gleam of light. Steadying
the canoe, he held it out at arm's length,
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A COLONIAL WOOING
away from them, and said to Ruth, who had
given some evidence of consciousness, " If
they do shoot, this light will deceive them."
But the canoe was drifting, and this would
never do. John dropped the pole and pad-
dled vigorously, but so quietly that he heard
the voices of those on board the Watson
boat, and above all else recognized William
Blake's voice, bemoaning that "Ruth had
gone ; her cabin was empty."
A flush of fiery indignation thrilled him
as he heard these words, but there was no
time now for other than his single duty.
Ruth was rescued, but not yet ashore. Care-
fully guiding the canoe, which he found was
not followed, John paddled as swiftly as he
dare, but kept near the shore until he had
made considerable headway, when he turned
to the channel as a safer course, and pro-
ceeded homeward.
The danger was over, and now again he
spoke to Ruth, and assured her that all was
well.
" Oh John," she sobbed, " if it had been
Cousin Robert !"
14 209
A COLONIAL WOOING
" And why not I as well *? Friend Pear-
son could not manage a canoe."
" But, John, alone, here."
The meaning of her words flashed across
John's mind, and he was dumb. Could the
world be so cruel ? he thought. " Speak,
Ruth, speak to me ; it was the only way to
thwart thy father's plans and save thee from
a worse fate perhaps than the breath of scan-
dal. Does thee put no trust in me *?"
John's pleading brought Ruth to her better
senses.
" Trust thee, dear ; who then, John, might
I trust ? To thee and Cousin Robert I owe
my life."
" And thee shall be in thy cousin's charge
before thee thinks," replied John, cheerily.
" Put on my outer coat that I brought thee, if
thee can without much moving, for the night
is chilly ; but don't upset us." And John
spoke in a way that was for the first time
that day wholly natural.
" I think I have been pretty well upset
already," replied Ruth ; and hearing her words,
free from all trace of fear or feeling of shame,
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John laughed in a quiet way that was not
lost upon Ruth. They were again their
natural selves, and so happy beyond measure.
" Here are the Swan Island flood-gates,"
exclaimed John. " Hark !"
A long, low whistle was heard, as though
a dreaming red-bird had announced the dawn,
and John replied, again imitating the eagle-
owl. The canoe was headed in shore, and
scarcely had its bottom grated on the sandy
shore than Ruth rose, but to fall, almost
a-faint, in the arms of her cousin Robert.
No time was lost. The canoe was quickly
anchored; and Robert, John, and Ruth,
seated in the wagon, were on their way to
Pearson's. The horse was urged to the limit
of its strength, and before cock-crow Robert
Pearson's anxious wife had seen Ruth safely
at rest.
211
Chapter XVIII.
Robert defies Matthew.
WILD stories of pirates, robbery, and ab-
duction were soon rife about Bordentown,
and fearful tales as carried from one to an-
other soon reached Matthew Watson. His
boat had been destroyed, the crew lashed to
the deck, and Ruth carried away ; and then,
quickly following these harrowing details,
came a more nearly correct version of the
incident. No one was injured, no property
taken or destroyed, but Ruth had disappeared.
There had been no outcry, no call for help,
the crew were asleep, and everything pointed
to its having been a voluntary act on the
girl's part, but with whom was she in col-
lusion? Well, Matthew could not say he
was surprised, much as he regretted it. The
affair cast a shadow upon him as her natural
guardian, but he had done his whole duty for
sixteen years, and should submit his version
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A COLONIAL WOOING
of the matter to the meeting. But with
whom could she have gone? Not with
John Bishop, for he was at his shop until
late that day, and again, cheerful and uncon-
cerned, early the next morning. Had Rob-
ert Pearson seen any suspicious conditions
when he saw Ruth on board the shallop?
Matthew Watson asked himself this ques-
tion, and determined that he would repeat it
to Robert and press him for an answer ; then,
too, it was her cousin who had taken her in
his cart to Bordentown, and so the last to
talk with her.
Sympathizing friends soon gathered about
Ruth's afflicted mother, and, leaving her to
their care, Matthew hurried to the Pearson
house, acting so well the part of an anxious
parent that he favorably impressed every one
whom he met. He was glad to find Robert
at home, and not a little surprised to see how
slight an interest he took in the subject when
Ruth's disappearance was mentioned. Rob-
ert replied in detail to every question put to
him by Matthew. Ruth had said nothing
about such a madcap scheme, and was very
213
A COLONIAL WOOING
cheerful nearly all the time. He had gone
on the boat with her, and saw that she might
be fairly comfortable if the trip was short ;
but why had he directed that they should
start with that tide, instead of twelve hours
later, which would still leave plenty of time,
and avoid the night on the boat *? and did he
know that William Blake had come from
Philadelphia to Bordentown to be with her *?
Was this not a scheme to further Wil-
liam's wishes and compromise Ruth ? Good
Quaker methods of furthering a whim. And
Robert spoke in such a sneering tone that
Matthew grew very red in the face and
twisted uneasily in his chair. " Yes," Rob-
ert said, in conclusion, " I left Ruth on the
boat, and soon after returned home. I made
good my promise, but I am sorry I did so.
Was it to be done over again, I would do
very differently, and openly interfere and
prevent her going; at least, I would be
ftrongly tempted to do so."
" 1 am amazed to hear thee talk in this
way, though I know thee to be a rash,
worldly man."
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A COLONIAL WOOING
" Well, people do not see the world alike,
and I am very glad that I have not Quaker
eyes," Robert replied, without any trace of
irritation. " As I look at it, Ruth's surround-
ings, except her mother's presence, have never
been what they should. She is much the
superior of the flock of namby-pamby women
that have swooped down on the Crosswicks
Valley and changed every laughing feature
to a sober one. I have faith in Ruth, an
abiding, boundless faith, and have no fear
for her future. She has doubtless not been
so rash as now appears, and all will be well.
Her mother should not worry. Would
Matthew tell his wife what her cousin
thought^" And then Robert pulled vigor-
ously at his pipe, until the tobacco burned
again, and he sent wreaths of fragrant smoke
to the ceiling and watched their progress,
quite oblivious to the fact that his visitor
was eying him intently.
" Underneath thy fine speeches, Robert,"
Matthew finally remarked, " I believe thee
is concealing something from me. Thee
could tell me more if thee was willing, and
215
A COLONIAL WOOING
it is my right to be informed, and thy duty
to tell me all thee knows."
" What !" exclaimed Robert, jumping from
his chair and turning his back to the fire-
place. "Tell all that I could? Well, if
I did that, the township would be all upset
for the season. You came here and asked
me a long string of questions, not wait-
ing for answers, and I replied in the same
order, as near as I could remember. What
question did you put that I forgot to
reply to?" And 'Robert replaced his pipe
and sent more wreaths of smoke to the
ceiling.
" Does thee know where Ruth is, and who
did she go away with? Can thee answer
these, and will thee ?"
"I can," replied Robert; "but for the
present I shall not."
" But it is my right to know," exclaimed
Matthew, also rising from his chair. " This
is a conspiracy that may bring thee great
trouble if thee is not very careful."
" Perhaps it is, Neighbor Watson ; you
say it is your right to know as much as I do
216
A COLONIAL WOOING
in this matter. All I can say is, proceed to
enforce it."
" But thee knows that it is against our
principles " But Robert promptly checked
the speaker here and assured him that he was
dealing with one not a Quaker, and must
proceed in accordance with the laws of the
province.
" I did not run away with Ruth, and so
there's an end of that matter; but I do
know who took her from the boat last
night." And Robert looked Matthew very
squarely in the eyes as he made the an-
nouncement.
" And what scandal has she brought upon
the household, the community, and her poor
mother !" remarked Matthew, with an ill at-
tempt to be pathetic.
" One word, Matthew, on that score, and
only one. Don't you prate about scandal
and couple it with Ruth's name. Not here,
in my house, or anywhere in my hearing.
There'll be an end to that sort of tattle very
quick if the old women get to shaking their
heads or wagging their long tongues. It is
217
A COLONIAL WOOING
an outrage that I will not tolerate." And
Robert showed plainly how thoroughly he
meant what he had said.
" But is it not most unseemly that a young
woman should be out in a boat, and at night
and alone ?"
" What ! That from you ! And who put
her on a boat to be alone, day and night, for
perhaps two days, and with a man, too, she
detests*? The less you say of all this the
better, or the tide will turn against you and
swallow you up, as I only wish it would.
What did happen may have been unfortu-
nate, but it was necessary, and now let us
come back to business. You have reckoned
all along without your host, as you will find
out. You said just now Ruth's fair name
might be tarnished, but there'll be no wash-
ing the blot from the name of the step-
father, if I read aright the world's way of
thinking. Yes, I know where she is, and
can prove the truth of my assertion. She is
under this roof, safe and happy, and her only
wish is that her mother shall know this. I
did not intend to tell you at first, but I
218
A COLONIAL WOOING
have changed my mind. Not that anything
you have said has influenced me. Ruth is
tired and needs all the rest she can get, so
you cannot see her. Wife is an excellent
nurse, so you need have no care as to her
welfare." And, after the delivery of this
long speech, Robert yawned so long and
audibly that Matthew saw he was anxious
to close the interview.
"Thee seems to look lightly upon thy
part in this affair, and I am astonished at the
stand thee has taken. May I ask how Ruth
got here *? Thee said thee did not assist her
to leave the boat."
" I do not know that I am called upon to
go into particulars. When it is necessary I
will do so."
"This, I suppose, is the world's way of
looking at it. It may be I cannot force thee
to speak, but I can think of thee as I choose,"
said Matthew, making a desperate effort to
look like dignity offended.
Robert laughed at him. "Well, Mat-
thew, you can make a pretty shrewd guess
as to what I think. It is enough to know
219
A COLONIAL WOOING
that Ruth did get here, limp as a rag and all
hollow-eyed with much crying and all that,
but my wife got her well composed in short
order, and when you came in she was still
sound asleep ; and this is all that I have to
tell you, except that if you think I am liable
before the law for what part I have taken in
her rescue, do take up the matter at once,
for as soon as May comes in Ruth and John
Bishop will be married, if I am not alto-
gether mistaken. Until then she will make
her home with me." And Robert put on a
defiant air that puzzled Matthew, who wanted
to say more, but must have time to collect
his thoughts.
At last he found words wherewith to ex-
press his feelings. " I was not prepared when
I came for such extraordinary tidings "
" Which," said Robert, interrupting him,
** were not half so extraordinary as your own
acts, for which there was no apparent rea-
son. Isn't John Bishop an improvement over
William Blake?"
Matthew paid no attention to Robert's
words, and continued, " to be thus boldly
A COLONIAL WOOING
told to my face that I cannot see or have
the custody of my child."
" She is not your child !" exclaimed Rob-
ert, angrily, " and she is my cousin, though a
distant one, and until she is safely married
she shall not leave me, unless it be her will
to do so ; and now let's put an end to this
palaver. Go tell Cousin Anne that Ruth is
safe, and if you've any sense of decency,
keep out of sight."
Robert's manner spoke as plainly as his
words ; and Matthew, seeing there was nothing
to be gained by prolonging his stay, picked
up his ungainly hat and with a most for-
mal and scarcely audible " farewell" left the
house.
221
Chapter XIX.
A Committee calls upon John Bishop.
IN a few days every inhabitant of Chester-
field and Nottingham had an inkling of the
truth, and so were forced to content them-
selves with weaving theories and predicting
the outcome of the whole affair. Outside
the Pearson household, with the exception of
John Bishop, no one knew the whole truth,
and the inquisitive public which was all of
it were more at sea than ever as to the in-
cident on the Watson boat, when William
Blake appeared upon the scenes. He had
failed in all else, and why not pose as a hero
now, when nothing but Ruth's flight was
talked of? He had, he said, gone on board
the shallop but an hour before, lucky that
he and John did not meet in mid-stream,
and was called by one of the crew, say-
ing there were drunken Indians about. He
rushed to Ruth's cabin to defend her, and she
222
A COLONIAL WOOING
was gone ! Had she bribed these Indians to
carry her off? How he linked her name
with his in his wild talk ! and, alas ! how
eagerly his audiences accepted all his absurd
suggestions ! It is strange, but how they had
been mistaken in William Blake ! What
a fine fellow he was, truly ! Of course
no one but a fool would have done as he
did ; but then, he was a fool, and a gaping
crowd will follow one rather than a phi-
losopher.
William went to Watson's, and was re-
ceived as a guest, notwithstanding the protest
of Ruth's mother ; but her husband insisted
that the man was misunderstood, and she
should not be prejudiced by the world's
people who spoke against him. He had
property, was industrious and devoted to her
daughter, and only that child's perversity and
waywardness had thwarted his wishes, for
William might to-day have been successfully
in trade and Ruth's accepted suitor. Anne
Watson shuddered as she heard these words ;
repeating the most distasteful ones beneath
her breath, "Ruth's husband," and, as she
223
A COLONIAL WOOING
had long ago learned to do, except on rare
occasions, remained silent.
Naturally, William Blake desired to be-
come conspicuous in meeting, and hoped to
be put upon a committee to confer with Mat-
thew Watson and then with John Bishop.
The matter of Ruth's disappearance and sub-
sequent defiance of her step-father could not
be overlooked. Ruth was a birthright mem-
ber of the society, and should she not be
disowned ?
There were some hard-headed, practical
men in the Crosswicks meeting who seldom
spoke, but when they did it was to excellent
purpose. Caleb Wheatley was one of these.
" Had they sought," he asked, " Ruth's rea-
son for her rash act ? It was to be as care-
fully weighed as the statements of Matthew
Watson."
How Matthew stared and frowned when
he heard this !
" Was John Bishop a party to the affair ?
Probably ; but had they his admission to that
effect, or discovered any proof of his com-
plicity ? Might they not be groping in the
224
A COLONIAL WOOING
dark, and their efforts be as vain as beating
the air ? The meeting appeared to be of one
mind, but might not a whole meeting be in
error ?"
Caleb's warnings fell upon deaf ears. The
meeting as such was incapable of going
astray, and they went on with committee
appointments and committee instruction as
if they were attending wholly to their own
business, which they were not. Robert
Pearson was not within their jurisdiction and
John Bishop was. He must be called upon
to explain, and it was a foregone conclu-
sion only that would be acceptable that did
not conflict with what Matthew Watson had
said.
Robert Pearson, who mysteriously kept
posted upon every movement " of the
enemy," as he called them, and yet was
always deep in the background, knew of the
time of the committee conferring with Mat-
thew, and pretty shrewdly guessed at the
result. It was in effect that Matthew was a
long-suffering saint and John Bishop a miser-
able sinner. All was so clear to them now
15 225
A COLONIAL WOOING
that their call upon John partook of a char-
acter quite foreign to their instructions. They
had no questions to ask, but assertions to
make, based upon the assumption of Mat-
thew's veracity. They must proceed with-
out delay to call John to account, and
demand his explanation for so flagrant a
breach of all proprieties in a Christian assem-
bly and placing the meeting in an unfavor-
able light before the whole world. Their
zeal as inquisitors was growing rapidly
warmer, when Robert Pearson, looking out
of the shop door, exclaimed, " His Majesty's
ghost, John, here come three owls on horse-
back !"
"Not all on one horse, I hope," replied
John, coming to the door.
Sure enough, there, coming up the road,
were the three Friends, their horses walking
with weary steps, and the riders, as Robert sug-
gested, looking " solemn, solemner, solemn-
est." " I'll go out the back way when they
get near the front, and after a bit drop in, by
accident-like." And Robert, with a broad
grin, disappeared.
226
A COLONIAL WOOING
John met the Friends with a pleasant
smile as they dismounted, and, regretting
that he had not more comfortable seats to
offer, arranged them as best he could on a
bench, a box, and a pile of boards, and
" the three owls" looked overburdened with
wisdom.
" We have been with Friend Watson,"
commenced the spokesman, " this morning,
and now are pained to say we have an un-
pleasant duty to perform."
" Yes *?" remarked John, trying to look
very serious and concerned ; but the merry
light that was ever in his eyes could not be
dimmed even by so solemn an announce-
ment, and the Friends stared at him as if
they were ill at ease, and doubtless did wish
themselves at home.
" Friend Watson," the spokesman con-
tinued, " has informed us that it was thee
that took Ruth Davenport from the boat,
forcibly removing her, and at an unseemly
time of the night "
" Hush !" rang through the shop, as if
the old oak had been struck by lightning
227
A COLONIAL WOOING
and its fire yet played about John's eyes.
Then and there the discussion of that aspect
of the affair ceased. " And," remarked
John, with anger still in his heart, "that
she left the boat against her wishes is false,
utterly false."
" But William Blake informed us "
"Then William Blake spoke an untruth
knowingly," replied John ; " now continue
if thee pleases."
" Thy vehemence does not speak well for
thy entire innocence," slowly drawled one
of the committee, who had until then been
silent.
" Perhaps sufficient indignation might
rouse thee to vehemence, or has thee no
pride in thy good name *?" asked John,
with almost a sneer in his tone, and that
committee-man lapsed into silence, with
his fingers interlocked and thumbs twirling
rapidly.
Then followed a short silence on the part
of all, and, having gathered his scattered
thoughts, the spokesman began again some
glittering generality, but John's patience was
228
A COLONIAL WOOING
exhausted. As he had already so frequently
done, he interrupted him in a firm way that
admitted of no protest being entered, and
remarked, calmly, slowly, and with such
definiteness of expression that there would
be no excuse if the committee wrongly re-
ported him to the meeting.
" My Friends," John said, " I have been
led, as you may know, to look with a more
than merely friendly interest upon Ruth.
Being myself free of all others, and be-
lieving her to be, I offered her my hand and
she accepted it. Upon what ground her
step-father disapproved I have never learned,
but, what is of greater moment, her mother
has not spoken against it. Ruth was op-
posed to returning to England, I equally
so to have her go, but took no step to pre-
vent it. Neighbor Watson withheld the
whole truth, which made us suspicious, and
that we were correct in our forebodings
Robert Pearson fortunately and most unex-
pectedly discovered ; but acting as he thought
best, in his judgment and with Ruth's ap-
proval, he allowed Neighbor Watson's plans
229
A COLONIAL WOOING
to be carried out so far as Ruth's real welfare
would permit. Then we jointly interfered,
with the result you already know of." And
then, taking a sheet of paper from his pocket,
said, " Here is a letter from Revell Stacy, of
Scarboro, England. It is addressed to Robert
Pearson, and was received after Ruth's prep-
arations to leave home were completed. It
says, in part, ' This will was made seven
years ago, and I suppose Ruth must be now
quite of age, and so, if she desires, need not
spend the closing -years of her minority with
her English kinsfolk.' In other words, her
step-father was so anxious to be rid of her
he withheld this part of his letter, and trusted
that once away she would never return. I
hold myself a Friend, and have never known
Ruth to be other than soberly and discreetly
mannered ; and if the innocent mischief of
childhood is to be treasured against us, who
shall escape ? Ruth is eighteen years of age
in the coming month, and on her birthday
I trust we shall be married."
The three sets of thumbs ceased twirling,
the fingers unlocked, and " the owls" moved
230
A COLONIAL WOOING
uneasily. One of them pushed a leaning
board so that it fell ; another tried to clear
his throat, in which was no obstruction.
John waited for a reply, and, after unneces-
sary delay, the spokesman remarked, " We
must report to the meeting thy words for
their action ; and thee has not yet passed
meeting, John." The other Friends bobbed
their huge hat-brims to signify their accord-
ance with the spokesman's remarks. Then
the three men arose as if to go.
But if they were done with John, he was
not with them. " Am I to have no expres-
sion of your opinion before you go ? Must
you reserve this for the meeting *? If so," con-
tinued John, " let me say that if your fears
of the man overlook the wrong-doing of
Neighbor Watson, I shall report the matter
to another body. You come here as a com-
mittee, with hearts full of condemnation
instead of overflowing with Christian charity,
and now, knowing the whole truth, will not
assure me that the scales have dropped from
your eyes. I have seen Ruth, and we shall
marry out of meeting if there is any attempt
231
A COLONIAL WOOING
to frustrate our plans, and so be among you,
but no longer belonging to the meeting. If
I have been led astray as to my views of
duty, I pray to be led back to the right
path."
" Thy words suggest a firmer determination
to marry Ruth than to remain a Friend,"
finally remarked the spokesman.
At this juncture Robert Pearson came
strolling in, and, shaking hands with the
committee, hoped they were well, passed
upon the prospect of a favorable season, and
then, looking up, said, " But you all look so
very sober ; I hope you have not been here
to get measured for your coffins." And the
committee almost smiled as they mechani-
cally said, " Oh, no !"
John laughed, however, for he thought
their plans had been coffined if they had
not.
" Three owls on horseback," again re-
marked Robert, as they rode away.
" Their intentions were correct, perhaps ;
so let us be charitable."
" Charitable !" said Robert, with surprise.
232
A COLONIAL WOOING
" I believe you would find an excuse for
the Old Boy if he grabbed you by the
throat. Come, John, one may be too chari-
table."
"Not in this world; though it is the
heaviest task that we are called upon to
perform."
233
Chapter XX.
All's Well that ends Well.
" ARE they going to allow you any spe-
cial privileges, John," asked Robert Pearson,
" about this passing meeting ? You can do
so, next Thursday, if you choose, but what
about Ruth*? she will not leave the house,
she says, until she is married ; so there's a nice
kettle of fish for you. It's a blessed good
thing I didn't have any of this bother in my
day, or perhaps I'd been a bachelor still."
" There is want of unity in the meeting,
and I am sorry to be the cause of it. Ruth
has chosen her birthday, and I think she
has suffered enough, and I am not willing to
disappoint her. Surely she has been sorely
tried of late "
" And, John, my man," remarked Robert,
interrupting his friend, " she'll never drop in
meekness sufficient to give in, or I'm wrong.
If they want to keep her in meeting, they'll
have to knuckle down just a little to her, for
234
A COLONIAL WOOING
this once, anyhow. There isn't another like
her in the whole province."
" Yes, Robert ; her mother."
" Cousin Anne ; well, I don't know. She's
a noble woman to go through with what she
has had to and yet show up with a smiling
face at times. I don't know how it is with
you Quakers, some are so good and nice and
some not so taking," replied Robert, in a
way that showed he was talking as much to
himself as to John Bishop.
" Is it not so with other people than the
Friends'? Where can you go and not find
both saints and sinners'?" asked John.
" It is easier to find the sinners, John, all
times and everywhere. I never saw a saint,
a real saint, but Ruth and her mother come as
near to it as any this province is blessed with."
John smiled at Robert's enthusiasm, and
remarked, " Although alike, yet they are very
different."
" On the surface, yes, but they're of the
same sort here." And Robert placed his hand
over his heart. " But this is not time for one
of Matthew Watson's idle gatherings," con-
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A COLONIAL WOOING
tinued Robert ; " you'll be married at my
house, of course, since her loving step-father
won't let her go home."
" That is Ruth's wish ; but there are Friends
who object and say it will promote discord.
I am sorely puzzled."
" Well, John, I wish I was the king for half
a day. I'd settle the matter and shut up mouths
at the same time," said Robert, impatiently.
" Thee would not make it a case of hasty
marriage and leisurely repentance, I hope."
"You're not to be argued with to-day,
that's certain. I'll consult with Ruth, and
you can do as we decide or not ; but there's
no danger as to what your decision will be.
If you don't mind your words, John, pretty
closely, the neighbors will say, * John's wife
is more clever than her husband.' "
John laughed at this and said, " Why, I
have always said Ruth was more clever than
any one I knew."
" Yes, but that is excepting yourself, and
that won't do. Anyhow, I see I'm not
through with this business yet. I'll see Ruth
and arrange particulars."
236
A COLONIAL WOOING
As John Bishop had said, the proposed
wedding had caused a dissension, and several
members of the meeting expressed them-
selves so freely that serious trouble was
feared. John did not attend, even on First
day, but calmly awaited the decision of a
new committee to whom the whole matter
was referred. What he feared would be the
case resulted. There was a division ; and if
he and Ruth were married on the chosen
date and at Pearson's they would be subject
to discipline, and then the question of legality
might arise : was the wedding in accordance
with the customs of the Friends'? And if
not, and no magistrate was present, or hire-
ling priest performed the ceremony, might not
trouble be the outcome, and their opponents
triumph in a manner to blight their whole
lives'? John could stand anything for her
sake, but was powerless to alter the decision
of constituted authorities. No wonder he
was sorely troubled.
" Please don't set me wild by all this law
and custom and so on," said Ruth, when
Robert placed the matter before her. " What
A COLONIAL WOOING
does John say *? How should I know ? But
oh, dear, I did want it to be on my birthday,
as John and I planned. And if it's wrong one
day, why not another 1 ?" And Ruth threat-
ened to treat the Pearsons to an hysterical
scene, which her cousin Robert neatly avoided
by saying,
" There is a difference of opinion in the
matter."
"Is there? Do some think it would be
right 1 ? Then tell John I side with them,
and let the matter , 4 go to court,' do you call
it*? afterwards," exclaimed Ruth, with more
enthusiasm than calm judgment ; and added,
"But what do you think, Cousin Robert?
tell me that."
" That it will come out all right, Fairie ;
but I'm not a judge or man of the law."
" You're enough of a one for me, if John's
willing." And with this decision, prepara-
tions for the wedding rapidly proceeded.
*******
The day was perfect ; such a one as, in
this region, can only come in the month of
May. Pearson's orchard and the apple-trees
A COLONIAL WOOING
that lined his lane were in full bloom, and
the huge wild crab-tree, with its wealth of
roseate blossoms, perfumed the air for a long
distance. Millions of busy bees were hum-
ming among the flowers, and the birds that
through the winter had been far away were
now again in their summer homes and re-
joicing as these returned wanderers always
do. The best features of the year were
spread in profusion, and with the clear blue
sky, with peaceful clouds floating leisurely
across it, combined to make a most fitting
background for the ending of long weeks of
anxiety and pain and the beginning of a life-
time, let us hope, of unalloyed pleasure.
By noon the neighbors generally had con-
gregated about the Pearson mansion, and
after the usual greetings and comments they
gathered in the spacious parlor, that needed
to-day no interior decoration, though this
was not lacking, as every window was open
and the flowers were peeping in, and the
merriest birds posted themselves on the
nearest bushes. When the guests were
seated, a short silence ensued, and then was
239
A COLONIAL WOOING
heard footsteps and the rustling of silk and
satin. John Bishop and Ruth entered the
room, and, occupying the chairs reserved for
them, sat facing the company. Then silence
again, only broken at last by John rising
and holding out his hand to Ruth, who also
rose and said those words of mighty import
that forever bound him to her. She made
like promises to him, and they were married.
*******
The marriage certificate, brought under
protest and not likely to be accepted, was
signed by those present, but lacked the one
signature Ruth most highly prized, her
mother's. Then the restraint of formality
and of solemnity fell away, and the buzz
and hum of many voices filled the room.
There was now an end to the mystery, and
the good people of the valley must find some
other subject for discussion and wondering.
While the excitement was at its height and
every one talking at if not to his fellow, a
little incident caused a momentary pause.
For reasons she alone could explain, but
many correctly surmised, the Watsons had
240
A COLONIAL WOOING
not been present. Now, her daughter mar-
ried, she was free to come to her cousin's
house, and as she entered the room, Ruth
saw her mother for the first time since the
day of her departure for England.
There was a quick exclamation of joy,
and in another moment, the words " Mother,"
" Ruth," heard only by those nearest, they
were in each other's arms. John Bishop
stood by with arms folded and a look of
triumph lighting his handsome face, the
proudest and happiest man in the province.
Soon the guests began to disperse, but
there was a rumor current among all the
little gatherings of two or three in the Pearson
yard to the effect that Thomas Gardiner had
spent the morning at the Watson house, and
had declared as his conviction that Matthew's
mind was unbalanced.
THE END.
16 241
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