Story of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"Anderson, Nephi
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Story of Chester Lawrence: Being the Completed Account of One who Played an Important Part in "Piney Ridge Cottage"
Anderson, Nephi
Christian fiction; Latter Day Saints -- Fiction
During those days when the visitors remained with the captain rather
more for his own sake than for any other reason, there was just one
little cloud in Chester's and Lucy's sunlight. That was that the father
took no abiding interest in the religion which now meant so much to
them. Once or twice the subject had been carefully broached by Chester,
but each time the father had not responded. He made no objections. The
young man sometimes thought there would be more hope if he did. However,
he and Lucy were not discouraged. They reasoned, with justice, that it
was no easy matter to change a life-long habit of belief and practice.
They comforted each other by the hope that all would be well in the end.
Had they not already ample evidence of God's providence shaping all
things right.
It was plainly to be seen, however, that the father took great comfort
in his new-found son; and well any father might, for Chester was a
strong, open-spirited, clean young man. Father and son strolled out
together, Lucy sometimes peeping at them from behind the curtain, but
denying herself of their company. Chester, by his father's request, told
him more of his life's story. The father wished to live as much as could
be by word-telling the years he had missed in the life of his son; and
the father, for his part, acquainted Chester with his more recent years.
"I married quite late in life," said the father, "a sweet girl who did
much for me. That we had no children was a great disappointment to both
of us, and when we saw that very likely we never would have any of our
own, we found and adopted Lucy. She would never have known the truth
about that had not you come and compelled me to tell it. But it's all
right now, and the Lord has been kinder to me than I deserve."
"'God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform,'"
quoted Chester.
"'He plants his footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm,'"
mused the father.
At another time the father said to Chester:
"My boy, it would please me if you would take my name. You need not
discard the one you already have, but add mine to it--yours by all
that's right."
"Yes, father."
"I have no great fortune, but I have saved a little; and when I am gone,
it will be yours and Lucy's--I'll hear no objections to that--for can't
you see, all that I can possibly do for you will only in part pay for
the wrong I have done. You say you have no definite plans for the
future. Then you will come with us to Kansas City, where I expect to
take up again my labors in the ministry, at least for a time."
Lucy came upon them at this point.
"Chester has promised to take my name," explained the father.
"That will make it unnecessary for you to change yours," said Chester,
as he put his arm around her.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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