| | 1 | Author: | Mitchell
Donald Grant
1822-1908 | Add | | | Title: | Doctor Johns  | | | | Published: | 2003 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | IN the summer of 1812, when the good people of
Connecticut were feeling uncommonly bitter about
the declaration of war against England, and were
abusing Mr. Madison in the roundest terms, there
lived in the town of Canterbury a fiery old gentleman,
of near sixty years, and a sterling Democrat, who took
up the cudgels bravely for the Administration, and
stoutly belabored Governor Roger Griswold for his
tardy obedience to the President in calling out the
militia, and for what he called his absurd pretensions
in regard to State sovereignty. He was a man, too,
who meant all that he said, and gave the best proof
of it by offering his military services, — first to the
Governor, and then to the United States General commanding
the Department. “Dear Father, — I have come away from school.
I don't know as you will like it much. I walked all the
way from Bolton, and my feet are very sore; I don't
think I could walk home. Captain Saul says he will
take me by the way of New York. I can go and see
Aunt Mabel. I will tell her you are all well. “I opened the Within to see who the boy was; and
This is to say, I shall take him Aboard, and shall be
off Chatham Red Quarries to-morrow night and next
day morning, and, if you signal from the dock, can
send him Ashore. Or, if this don't Come in time, my
berth is Peck Slip, in York. “My dear Sir, — I am sorry that I threw `Daboll'
in your face as I did, and hope you will forgive the
same. “My dear Johns,” (so his letter runs,) “I had
counted on surprising you completely by dropping
in upon you at your parsonage, (so often in my
thought,) at Ashfield; but circumstances have prevented.
Can I ask so large a favor of you as to
bring my dear Adèle to meet me here? If your
parochial duties forbid this utterly, can you not see
her safely on the river-boat, and I will meet her at
the wharf in New York? But, above all, I hope you
will come with her. I fancy her now so accomplished
a young lady, that there will be needed some
ceremony of presentation at your hands; besides
which, I want a long talk with you. We are both
many years older since we have met; you have had
your trials, and I have escaped with only a few
rubs. Let us talk them over. Slip away quietly,
if you can; beyond Adèle and your good sister,
can't you conceal your errand to the city? Your
country villages are so prone to gossip, that I would
wish to clasp my little Adèle before your towns-folk
shall have talked the matter over. Pray ask your
good sister to prepare the wardrobe of Adèle for a
month or two of absence, since I mean she shall
be my attendant on a little jaunt through the country.
I long to greet her; and your grave face, my
dear Johns, is always a welcome sight.” | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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