Tidings

"You know how proud my mother and sisters are, and it would surprise
you, as it does me, to see them pet, and spoil, and fondle Willie, who
rules the entire household, mother even allowing him to bring
wheelbarrow, drum, and trumpet into the parlor, declaring that she likes
the noise, as it stirs up her blood. Willie has made a vast change in
our once quiet home, and I fear I shall meet with much opposition when I
take him away, as I expect to do next month, for Lily gave him to me,
and brother John has said that I may have him until the mother is found,
while Charlie is perfectly willing; and thus, you see, my cup of joy is
full.

"Brother is away now, hunting for Adah, and I am wicked enough not to
miss him, so busy am I in the few preparations needed by the wife of a
poor missionary."

Then, in a postscript. Anna added: "I forgot to tell you that Charlie
and I are to be married some time in July, that the Presbyterian Society
of Snowdon has given him a call to be their pastor, that he has
accepted, and what is best of all, has actually rented your old home for
us to live in. I don't know how it will seem to stop on Sundays at the
meeting house instead of keeping on to our dear, old St. Luke's. I love
the service dearly, but I love my Charlie more, notwithstanding that he
calls me his little heretic, and accuses me of proselytizing intentions
towards himself. I have never confessed it before, but, seriously, I
have strong hopes of seeing him yet in surplice and gown; but till that
time comes, I shall be a real good Presbyterian, or orthodox, as they
are called here in Massachusetts.