University of Virginia Library

Newbury, Dec. ye 6th.

We got back from Haverhill last night, Doctor Clark
accompanying us, he having business in Newbury.
When we came up to the door, Effie met us with a
shy look, and told her Mistress that Mrs. Prudence
(Uncle's spinster's Cousin,) had got a braw auld
Wooer in the East room; and surely enough we
found our ancient kinswoman and Deacon Dole, a
Widower of three years' standing, sitting at the supper
table. We did take note that the Deacon had on a stiff
new Coat; and as for Aunt Prudence, (for soe she was
called in the family,) she was clad in her bravest, with
a fine cap on her head. They both did seem a little
disturbed by our coming, but plates being laid for us,
we sat down with them. After supper Rebecca had a

fire kindled in Uncle's Room, whither we did betake
ourselves, and being very merry at the thought of
Deacon Dole's visit, it chanced to enter our silly Heads
that it would doe noe harm to stop the Clock in the entry
a-while, and let the two old folks make a long evening
of it. After a time Rebecca made an errand into the
East Room, to see how matters went, and coming back
said the twain were sitting on the same settle by the
fire, smoking a pipe of Tobacco together. Moreover,
our foolish trick did work well, for Aunt Prudence
coming at last into the entry to look at the Clock, we
heard her tell the Deacon that it was only a little past
8, when in truth it was near 10. Not long after, there
was a loud knocking at the door, and as Effie had gone
to bed, Rebecca did open it, when, whom did she see
but the Widow Hepsy Barnet, Deacon Dole's housekeeper,
and with her the Deacon's son, Moses, and the
Minister, Mr. Richardson, with a lantern in his hand!
“Dear me,” says the Woman, looking very dismal,
“have you seen anything of the Deacon?” By this
time we were all at the door, the Deacon and Aunt
Prudence among the rest, when Moses, like a great
lout as he is, pulled off his woolen cap and tossed it up
in the Aire, crying out, “There, Goody Barnet, did 'nt
I tell ye so! There's Father now!” And the
Widow, holding up both her hands, said she never did
in all her born days see the like of this, a Man of the
Deacon's years and station stealing away without letting
folks know where to look for him; and then turning
upon poor Mrs. Prudence, she said she had long known
that some folks were sly and artful, and she was glad
Mr. Richardson was here to see for himself. Whereupon
Aunt Prudence in much amazement said, it was
scarce past 8, as they might see by the Clock; but Mr.
Richardson, who could scarce keep a grave face, pulling
out his watch, said it was past 10, and bade her
note that the Clock was stopped. He told Deacon
Dole that seeing Goody Barnet soe troubled about him,
he had offered to go along with her a little way, and
that he was glad to find that the fault was in the Clock.
The Deacon, who had stood like one in a maze, here
clapped on his Hat, and snatched up his cane and went
off, looking as guilty as if he had been caught a house-breaking,
the Widow scolding him all the way. Now
as we could scarce refrain from laughing, Mr. Richardson,
who tarried a moment, shook his head at Rebecca,
telling her he feared by her looks she was a naughty
Girl, taking pleasure in other folk's trouble. We did
both feel ashamed and sorry enough for our mischief,
after it was all over; and poor Mistress Prudence is so
sorely mortified, that she told Rebecca this morning
not to mention Deacon Dole's name to her again, and
that Widow Hepsy is welcome to him, since he is so
mean-spirited as to let her rule him as she doth.