"Yes, God willing, I will return," answered Hetty, bending to the right
and to the left, taking loving farewell looks of them all. "We will
surely return." And as the last face disappeared from sight, and the
last merry voice died away, she turned to her husband, and, laying her
hand in his, said, "Why not, Eben? Will not that be our best home, our
best happiness, to come back and live and die among these simple
people?"
"Yes," answered Dr. Eben, "it will. Tantibba, we will come back."
* * * * *
And now is told all that I have to tell of the Strange History of Eben
and Hetty Williams. If there be any who find the history incredible, I
have for such a few words more.
First: I myself have seen, in the old graveyard at Welbury, the
"beautiful and high monument of marble," of which Father Antoine spoke
to Dr. Macgowan. It bears the following inscription:
"Sacred to the Memory
of
HENRIETTA GUNN,
Beloved Wife of Dr. Ebenezer Williams,
Who was drowned in Welbury Lake."
The dates, which I have my own reasons for not giving, come below; and
also a verse of the Bible, which I will not quote.
Second: I myself was in Welbury when there was brought to the town by
some traveller a copy of a Canadian newspaper, in which, among the
marriages, appeared this one:
"In the parish of St. Mary's, Canada, W., by Rev. Antoine Ladeau,
Mrs. Hibba Smailli to Dr. Ebenezer Williams."
The condition of Welbury, when this piece of news was fairly in
circulation in the town, could be compared to nothing but the buzz of a
bee hive at swarming time. A letter which was received by the Littles, a
few days later, from Dr. Williams himself, did not at first allay the
buzzing. He wrote, simply: "You will be much surprised at the slip which
I enclose" (it was the newspaper announcement of his marriage). "You
can hardly be more surprised than I am myself; but the lady is one whom
I knew and loved a great many years ago. We are going abroad, and shall
probably remain there for some years. When I shall see Welbury again is
very uncertain."
Thirdly: Since neither of these facts proves my "Strange History" true,
I add one more.
I know Hetty Williams.
* * * * *
_Messrs. Roberts Brothers' Publications._
RAMONA: A Story.
By HELEN JACKSON (H. H.).
_The Atlantic Monthly_ says of the author that she is "a Murillo in
literature," and that the story "is one of the most artistic creations
of American literature." Says a lady: "To me it is the most distinctive
piece of work we have had in this country since 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' and
its exquisite finish of style is beyond that classic." "The book is
truly an American novel," says the _Boston Advertiser_. "Ramona is one
of the most charming creations of modern fiction," says Charles D.
Warner. "The romance of the story is irresistibly fascinating," says
_The Independent_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account