Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1871 — WIDOW HAWKINS’ TRIALS. [ARTICLE]

WIDOW HAWKINS’ TRIALS.

“ Tiik old Hawkins estate ” was about as bare, rocky and unpromising a farm as you could find in all New England, A Western man wouldn’t have taken a single chance starvation, und yet the Hawkinses had held to it lor rjkny generations. There was a tradition that the old man of all had been put. on that place and compelled to earn a living.” Whatever may have boon the truth of that, it was certain his descendants lmd always shown great attachment to the old homestead, and'would ai’.swer any disparaging remarks concerning the laud by quoting 41 Granther Hawkins,” who used to say, 44 There's a master lot. of rock, which gives the farm a dreadful uneven look ; but there’s spots where the rile is as good as can be found in this ’ere section.”

The present owner and occupants were the Widow Hawkins and her two sons, Ephraim, a man of nearly forty years, and Solomon, who was ‘‘.just turned twenty.” And “ these two boys ” were the source of all the poor woman's trials. Not that they were bad, or even ill-dis-posed, but simply “ truing." The husband and father had died when Solomon was a babe in arms, and “ the boys had been brought up without any head,” as the widow expressed it. Ephraim inherited the family name and most of the honors "Which had fallen sue ccssively to t heir share—such as being “ Selectman ” and a member of the “ School Committee.” But his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had been Deacons, and tis yet lie had not been “ chosen,” although several vacancies liael occurred since his years and experience had rendered him eligible to that office. It was a great trial to the widow, for, with a mother’s partiality, she deemed it fitting that the lather’s mantle should fall upon the son, who was in every way worthy to follow in the footprints of his sire. And another thing “tried” the widow. Ephraim had never shown any matrimonial inclination, although his duty had been faithfully held before him “ line upon line, precept upon precept,” but witli strango perversity common to human nature, (and I should like to add, for.the sake of truth, that it reaches its highest development in the masculine persuasion,i he. scented deaf to her fond entreaties and blind to his own interests. Wise and deep were the arguments used by the widow, but Ephraim would coolly putr on his hat and make his exit in the middle of her longest sentence. Many and curious were the traps which she set for her son, hut lie never for a moment became entangled in any of them. Did she invit£ some of the farmers’ daughters to “ pass the afternoon and stay • to tea,” Ephraim was sure to be absent at supper time, and Solomon would have the girls to entertain a d “ see home.” And Solomon, instead of blaming his brother and sympathizing with the poor woman in “her trials," secm.il to consider it good fun, and would persist in rehearsing what the girls said about Ephraim’s, running away from them. And many evenings, wheii he should have been at homo with his books, or in meeting with his mother, he would be idling his time away in-some farmer’s kitchen, in 'dangerous proximity to rosy cheeks and flashing eyes, or away on the ice, where some pretty girl would cling closely to him, knowing intuitively that the more helpless and dependent she seemed, the greater would be the care and attention given her. No wonder Mrs. Hawkins used to sigh and say, “If Ephraim ever does get*, a wife, and Solomon don’t get mofo’n one, I shall be thankful.”

She had borne, with commendable spirit and silence the remarks which were made in her hearing; but there is a limit to human patience, and it is a fact that women can manage to say most cutting and irritating things to each other under the garb of sympathy and condolence. It was at the sewing society, the first which had “met” since Deacon Ellsbree had been gathered to his fathers. Mrs. Smith, witli an elongated face, and a voice toned down to the proper key, said: “I felt so had for you, Sister Hawkins, when I heard they was going to pass your Ephraim by again, and take a man so much younger, and with So little experience. It seems kinder like a put upon you both, and a slight upon your httsbau’ that’s now dead and gone, it really does.” And she mitde a desperate effort to subduo the rising triumph in her voice. “ Who have they picked out?" asked the widow, and she “ looked ready to. sink," for she had thought, “Surely they will take Ephraim now." “ft’s not settled yet; but they are talkin’ ’bout Car’line’s husban’,” and then she added, after a moment's pause, “ I wish things had been a lectio different with Ephraim.” . Mrs. Hawkins tried to brace herself to hear the rests She was soon accosted with, “ Glad to see you out to day, Sister [Hawkins; Allows von ain’t no feeling ’bout Ephraim’s bein’ slighted; we all ’spected you’d lot on his bring chosen, but you see wouldn’t do, no liow." The pale face Hushed, and then she locked up to find that every eye was upon her, and every one waiting’to 'see what she would say. Shu spoke up quite unlike herself.. “No, I don’t see why it wouldn’t do; my Eph-

ralm’s as likely a man as there is in this town, and there ain’t a person with the right to speak agin him, and that’s more’n can be said of some folks that ’pear to Stand a better chance than him." It was pretty still there for a minute or so, and then Deacon Slocum’s wife, who was hostess on the occasion, said, “ Don’t you be ’fronted, Sister Hawkins, nobody biunies you.” “ And who do they blame ? Hasn’t my son always walked ’cord’n to his profession ?" “ Y-c-a s, but you know What the Scripture say.” “ I know a good deal that would be a rebuke to folks 1 could mention.” But she tried to smile as she asked, “ What partickler Sfiriptur do you refer to, Sister Slocum V” “ I ‘ion’t knovp; as I can give you the straight, T heard my husband talk'ji'it over; 'twos something ’bout a deacon havin’a wife and children; I guess that they always have to, don’t they ?" “ It ought to be one of the qualifications,” severely remarked Miss Shambley, a lady of uncertain age. And then there was a suppressed litter among the younger ladies.

With her heart so sore from having these two great trials of her life so ruthlessly brought Wore her, in such a public manner, ’twits no wonder that her reply should have been given rather sharply. *• Ephraim's been slow makin’ up his mind > ’tis his way;" and then with a quick glance at Miss Shambley, “it ain’t •ks if lie couldn’t get anybody to have him, yon know.” It was well supper was announced, and the attention of the company turned to the strength of the tea and the quality of the cake. Poor old lady, she was quite bewildered with her own thoughts, and she wanted to get away from all those pitiless eyes and tongues, so she managed to slip out unperceived, nnd arrived at home just as “ the boys ” were going to milking, and to their anxious inquries as to .what was the matter, only said she Wits “ tired.” Solomon hurried off to the society, firm in the, belief that his services could not be dispensed with, when the “ members ” should start for home. Ephraim and. his mother had a long evening together, and her trials were so effectually shown to her son that the interview closed with the widow triumphant and happy, and Ephraim had a subdued look which boded well for his mother’s wishes. On the following morning Solomon asked, “ AVhere are you going to pick up stones to-day, Ephand was told, “I have other work on my hands to-day, less to my mind, but I have promised mother not to ‘ try ’ her any longer by shirking.” Solomon’s eyes opened wide, and he did not hesitate to say, “ Hannah, there’ll be fun now, I guess.” He was instantly stopped liy a reprimand from his mother. Now Ephraim was one of those downright, upright kind of men, to whom the battle is more than half over when once they have “resolved.” so his mother felt no ‘misgivings about him as she watched him crossing the meadows in the direction of ’Squire Whipple’s. I do not think the good woman ever thought of the possibility ot Martha’s saying “ nay” to such an offer, but as the day wore on and lie did not come home, she smiled to-think what ardent lovers these quick backward kind of men made, when they come to know there own minds. Solomon declared “ that Eph was making a lbol of himself, going the rounds of the whole town,” nnd naked his mother “ what she’d bet Eph wouldn’t nsk that ’ar Shumbley woman to add her forty years to his’ii before lie was through with it.” liy nine o’clock Ephraim arrived, but nothing could be gathered from his face, and he refused to answer a single question until he had liis supper. They waited with what patience they could; Airs. Hawkins said, “lie always was dreadful trying,” and Solomon thought■ “Epli’s symptom's good, judging from his appetite.” At last lit; seated himself by the broad, open fire-place, and placing his feet upon the fender, commenced: “ I went over to the 'Squire’s and found Marthy churning, so r took hold and helped her. STie said something about my running away from her generally, but I didn’t take any notice of it. AVe talked over about work and one thing nnd another. She laughed at most everything, but gave me some kind of an answer, imii’ I asked her, ‘ Marthy,’ says I, ‘ what’s your opinion about raising a large family '! Don’t von think, if it’s the Lord’s will, it is better to have a good many children to grow up together, than to have just two or three, like your family and mine?”

JShe jumped so that we almost upset the churn, and th°u she snapped out, “ Eph. Hawkins, what do you mean, talking like that to me? Don’t you ever dare to speak to me again as long as you live.” I tried to explain, but she wouldn’t listen to a word, so I had to leave, and I felt glad ’twas ordered just as ’twas, for a woman with such a temper would make an uncomtortable wife. The widow groaned, but Ephraim told her “not to lie discouraged, for lie did not give it up so.” “ I went from there over to Mr. Wheeler's, and I thought I wouldn’t waste time in compliments, so when Sarah Jane came to the door I asked her at once if she’d be kind enough to answer a few questions, and I told her a food deal del,ended upon her answers, so hoped she would tell the truth. At that she got mad and called to her mother, ’’Kreis Eph. Hawkins, come to take the ceiicus, and he’s afraid I’ll tell him lies; you had better come and answer him,’ and what should she do but leave. Bister Wheeler came, and I said I think I will call when Brother' Wither is at home; and then I left.” •

Again the. widow groaned, and accused her son of bciqg more “trying” than ever before. Solomon kept quiet, for fear of being excluded from the confidence of the family, “ Mother,” said Ephraim, “ don’t find fault with mo, for I n6vor worked so hard to please you in my life as I have done to-day, and I have gone according to the light I had." “l*know, my son, but you'll never marry now. • Oh dear, I am so tried.” “ Yes I shall: I- did not lose courage a bit, but went from there to Ebcn Howe’s.” “Don’t you tell me Betsy Howe is coining here to live on—” “ No, sho wasn’t at home, and when I asked her mother as to Betsy’s views, she owned ‘that Betsy hadn’t any;’ so that was settled, of course, and I left word with her übout some town, business for Ebon, 'and came away.” if “ Atolohn Head’s I fournt quite a company. You know by the time I got there twas in the afternoon. Well, I felt so tbdnkftil, for there was Ana Simpson,

Abbey Cole and Nancy Fisher, besides the Head girl*. Sonjtehow I didn’t feel quite as clear In ftly bund as to the questions wheh they were all laughing around me.” “Oh,” interrupted Solomon, “if I’d only been there.” 1 was bound to be serious with thorn, so I asked them at once if they didn’t think a woman ought to be willing to do the milking if her husband was a farmer and was called away on town business. “Of course, said two or three of them. “ Do you want to hire a hand, Eph ? Take me, oh, take me;’’ and they all huddled up around me until I was almost crazy. I don’t know how I should ever have got away from them, but I was tipping back in my chair, and somehow it went over and I went my full length on the floor. They all commenced screaming, and I supposed they thought I was hurt, for they called to their father, and he came running in. Says he, “ Brother Hawkins, what is the matter? AVhat have you done to frighten these girls so ?”

Says I, “ They can’t be more frightened than I am, and if you will get the chair mended I will settle the bill. I wanted to talk with you about the school in our district, but I guess I will see you down to the corner some day;” and I was coming away, but my hat had been mislaid somehow and, after a long search, Brother Head lent me his best one; and, though it was pretty large, I managed by wrapping my handkerchief around my head. Becky Read was in the yard, and she said “if she found my hat she’d bring it over, and if I weren’t at home she’d stay and do the milking.” I was going to have a little more talk with her, but I heard the other girls snickering and it upset me completely. “ Oh, Ephraim, the whole town will be laughing about you, I know.” “ Oh, no, mother, there’s no occasion, for in all these places I never said a word to any one about marrying, and then you know I passed it off as though I really did have business with the men folks.” “ But what possessed you to ask such sj range questions V Why did you not leave all these things to time?” “No time like the present to settle points which might make trouble for us if left to the future. At my age I wasn’t going to ask any girl to marry me without knowing her views, AVhcn I got out of 'sight of Read’s house I sat down on the wall and tried to settle whether I would give it up and go home, or what I had better do. I thought of all the hard work I had done on this place, and of what you said last night, that you’d settle everything upon Solomon if I didn’t marry in a month, and he’s nothing but a child and not fit to be trusted with clearing up the land, so, late as it was, and hungry and tired as I felt, I walked over to the Widow Slater’s. The children came running out to meet me; you know they always ’peared to like me; they hadbeen crying because their mother had been ordered to have the house empty in a fortnight’s time. As soon as they told me I saw what my duty was, and why my way had been hedged up all the day. I stayed an hour, I guess, and we agreed upon everything, and so I think your trials are about over, mother, for she is going to marry me as soon as ever we can be published.” 44 She! for conscience sake! who do you mean, for the widow has three girls who have put on long dresses and taken to doing up their hair.” “ Why; mother, 'tis the widow herself, though jf I’d thought of it I’d asked Mirinda some questions; but ’tis too late now ; the bargain is made, and when once I have the widow .and her seven children here nobody can complain of my not having a family. I think I have been led to great usefulness.”

“ To great foolishness, you’d better say. How am I to live With all those children running wild around here; and SolotnOn will be flirting witli those grown-up girls. Dear me; if your father had only lived, and there’d -beehsoine head here, you wouldn’t have triechtne so.” “ No, mother; I prohwse you about the flirting. I’m going to jlobetter than that.” The promise sounded aMittlc mysterious to Ephraim and his mother, but the explanation came soon enoukli, for Solomon was missing one day, as yas also the Widow Slater’s daughter, Mirinda; and when they returned Solomon presented his wife to the family saying that “ he’d given his word to his mother that lie wouldn’t flirt, and he was bound to keep it if it'killcd him.” The last we heard about the widow she was “ tried” about what relation Solomon’s children will be to Ephraim and his wife. And though Ephraim had been chosen deacon, yet with such a mixed up state of things at home, she is of the opinion that iter trials have only just begun.—Provi<lence (11. /.) Press.