I bring my story to a close by relating an incident which took place
the summer succeeding the date of this chapter. I had long wished to
visit my friends in New Hampshire: but my own cares had hitherto
prevented me; but this season I decided to pay the long-deferred visit.
Willie was very glad to accompany me, having long wished to visit the
Eastern States. Birdie and Lewis also bore us company. As our way lay
through a portion of Massachusetts, I determined once more to visit the
small village which formerly had been the home of Aunt Patience. We
arrived at Woodville late on a Saturday evening, and on Sabbath morning
were invited to hear a talented young preacher, who, we were informed,
had lately been called as pastor to the Congregational Church in that
village. As the young minister ascended the pulpit, his countenance
struck me as being strangely familiar. As I was endeavoring to decide in
my own mind where I could have before met him, it suddenly occurred to
me that the young preacher was no other than my old friend, Obadiah
Hawkins; and when, upon again raising my eyes I encountered one of those
old-time furtive glances, I felt certain that I was right in my
conjecture.
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