Charlemont; Or, the Pride of the Village. a Tale of Kentucky by William Gilmore Simms
page 103 of 518 (19%)
page 103 of 518 (19%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
he did not absolutely shake a leg himself, yet none rejoiced more
than he, when Ned Hinkley's fiddle summoned the village to this primitive exercise. "Now, Alfred Stevens," said he, the breakfast being over, "what say'st thou to a visit with me among my people. Some of them know thee already; they will all be rejoiced to see thee. I will show thee how they live, and if thou shouldst continue to feel within thee, the growing of that good seed whose quickening thou hast declared to me, it will be well that thou shouldst begin early to practise the calling which may so shortly become thine own. Here mightest thou live a space, toiling in thy spiritual studies, until the brethren should deem thee ripe for thy office; meanwhile, thy knowledge of the people with whom thou livest, and their knowledge of thee, would be matter of equal comfort and consolation, I trust, to thee as to them." Alfred Stevens expressed himself pleased with the arrangement. Indeed, he desired nothing else. "But shall we see all of them?" he demanded. The arch-hypocrite began to fear that his curiosity would be compelled to pay a heavy penalty to dullness. "The flock is small," said John Cross. "A day will suffice, but I shall remain three days in Charlemont, and some I will see to-day, and some to-morrow, and some on the day after, which is Wednesday." "Taken in moderate doses," murmured Stevens to himself, "one may stand it." |
|