Hawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees.: A Tale of the Delaware Valley and Historical Romance of 1690.Allerton, James M. (James Martin)
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Hawk's Nest; or, The Last of the Cahoonshees.: A Tale of the Delaware Valley and Historical Romance of 1690.
Allerton, James M. (James Martin)
Delaware River Valley (N.Y.-Del. and N.J.) -- Fiction; Historical fiction
Here we have another proof of the wisdom of the Psalmist: “God works
in a mysterious way his wonders to perform.” Years ago, the mother of
the lady that is about to take upon herself the duties of a wife, was
consigned to this grave. Her body lies mouldering in the silent tomb.
Her soul has gone to the God that gave it. And if, as we are assured,
angels are the spirits of the just made perfect, then the spirit of that
mother is hovering over and about us, and I doubt not, approving of this
union. From the day her body was consigned to this grave, a mysterious
providence has protected her child. And not only her child, but the child
of William Wallace, who is now about to make her his bride. My friends,
as a token that this union has the sanction of Heaven, that you have
given to and received each other to yourself, that each of you possesses
the whole of the other’s heart, that you are twain, one flesh, you will
signify it by kneeling on this sacred grave. Here, in the presence
of Heaven and these witnesses, I pronounce you one, and recorded in
Heaven as husband and wife. And may the same kind providence that has
so mysteriously led you in the past continue to watch over you. May the
same love and emotions that was your polar star when in search of each
other still continue to shine. And when the time comes for an earthly
separation, may there be a re-union in Heaven between mother and child.
Amen.
Drake had been an interested spectator of this scene. It brought vividly
to his memory the history of the past. He remembered that at this grave
he had tried to console Amy for the loss she sustained by the death of
her mother. That on this spot he had promised to search for her lover,
and now on this spot he had witnessed the consummation of his wishes. At
his side stood Cora, his affianced wife. Were their hearts united like
the couple that had knelt before them? He felt a strong infatuation for
Cora. Was it real? Did it come from the heart, or was it the influence
that Cahoonshee still exerted over him? Was it the promise that he had
made a dying man that influenced him?
From the time they left the ship until Amy’s marriage, Cora had been in
his company, but by no word or action had she referred to the scene on
the ship, where Cahoonshee had placed her hand in his and said:
“She loves you!”
True, at that time, she seemed to acquiesce to the dying man’s request.
Was this real, or was it an acquiescence to please an aged warrior, and
dismissed from her mind when death had closed his eyes?
I will know, now and here, he thought to himself.
He offered Cora his arm, and they walked to the upper end of Butternut
Grove. Seating themselves, he said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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