Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 38

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Maine > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 38
USA > New Hampshire > Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary > Part 38

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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from the mother went far to complicate matters between a trio of interested persons, namely, Mollie Walderman, Than Greenlaw, and Ned Flanders. Of course, all was now in chaos; there had been no engagements made, but those we have mentioned had mentally staked out the ground and encouraged them- selves that there would be no serious obstacles to overcome. Mrs. Walderman, by many prudent hints, had instructed her daughters to keep a tight rein on their young hearts and to be cautious in their love-making; but what she had frankly confessed of her estimation of Flanders knocked all the keys out, and those interested knew there would be no objection to him in the household. If the several daughters, and the several young men who looked upon them with more than common admiration, could only be guided in selecting by some good angel who knew their temperaments, all would be well, but if they got "mismatched," as the farmers sometimes say, there would be no end of trouble.

Both Greenlaw and Flanders occasionally called at Walderman's, but the customs of the times held them under restraint to the extent that neither showed any partiality in their attention to the young ladies. Greenlaw was independent, and determined to find out whether or not Miss Mollie cared for him ; and as to Flanders, he was not convinced yet whether he most admired Mollie or her younger sister, Susie. Flanders was a fellow of keen insight, and could read human nature very well, but the Walderman girls were modest and said not many words when strangers were at the house; so it was not easy to learn the peculiarity of the several maidens. They were all very pretty -had a pretty mother -and charming in their quiet, unaffected, and simple manners. But all were so non-committal that for one to select his coun- terpart he must wait until circumstances developed some evidence of the dis- position of the girls. Why, it was very much like going to a large stock in the draper's shop; the pieces are so many and all so attractive that the would-be purchaser can scarcely decide which she likes best, and so she stands at the counter and looks first at this, then at that, piece. This was the exact dilemma of Flanders, but the opposite of Than Greenlaw's idea of things. He had loved Mollie Walderman, he knew he had, and Ned Flanders might visit the family, or show special attention to any or all of the others, and he wouldn't care a fig. And matters remained thus for a long time. The kettle of the Fates was boiling, however, and something would soon come to the top.

Fortune's wheel took a peaceful turn this time, and evidently some good spirit held the crank. Susie Walderman, two years younger than Mollie, was a most charming creature in many respects. She was more vivacious, but much less practical, than Mollie; more sentimental and poetic in her nature, but not as ready to serve and help her mother. She was possessed of unri- valed personal beauty, and had a form as gracefully moulded as a Grecian sculptor's ideal. She was, too, a real good girl; one who was strictly consci- entious and very kind-hearted.

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It so happened that, as she was driving the cows down the river-side one spring morning, Ned Flanders, on his way to the ferry, crossed her path. He looked surprised, and she blushed to her hair as they so unexpectedly met. But he instantly recovered his composure and saluted her with his usual polite- ness. The cows were in no hurry and were busily browsing while Ned and Susie willingly loitered and engaged in conversation. Here it was that the affinity of their hearts was discovered ; sly Cupid deftly slipped the silken cord between their spirits, and before they parted Ned Flanders had said: "Susie Walderman, I love you." Each went their way, Flanders to cross the river, Susie to drive the cows to the pasture. When she returned, her mother heard her humming some sentimental song and mildly chided her for being gone so long. But a new joy had come into her young life, and she believed with all her soul that Heaven decreed that she and Ned Flanders should, through the list of years, walk down the pathway of life side by side.

Now Susie had come to believe, as well as Than Greenlaw, that her sister Mollie had regarded Ned Flanders with more than Platonic interest, and to avoid all misunderstanding and obviate all possibilities of ill-feeling, honest Susie frankly made known to Mollie how she had met Flanders and that they were pledged before high Heaven to walk together while they lived. At first Mollie evinced surprise, and a tear came to her beautiful brown eyes, but she at once remembered her relations to Mr. Greenlaw and felt that all would be well. She had all along been conscious of really loving the noble fellow, but her pliable mind had been caused to fluctuate, like the disturbed magnetic needle, by the fascinating manners and cultured conversation of the young man from Newbury town. Now she reproached herself for being so unstable minded, and determined, when the proper opportunity presented, to confess her sin to Than Greenlaw and tell him all that was in her heart. At first there was a momentary twinge in her breast with the thought of seeing Ned Flanders walking with Susie, but principle got the mastery, and she became calm and happy. As we have before intimated, courtship was conducted in a moderate way in those good old Puritan days, and it was fortunate for these of whom we write that it was so; that they had not become more entangled in the clinging meshes of love's web. Only a little dust had been blown into their eyes; they all saw clearly now. The sore heart of Than Greenlaw was nicely Mollie-fied when he next met his Miss Walderman, and there was great joy all along the line. The road was free from any known obstructions, and broad enough for all to walk in without crowding or getting mixed. Mr. Walderman could have the companionship of his much-respected friend, Greenlaw, and his wife, Clarinda, could enjoy the charming conversation of the genteel Flanders. Well done!

We must now reluctantly take our leave of the interesting sister, Susie, and her friend, while we follow Mollie and Greenlaw. That these were worthy

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of special attention will be apparent as we proceed with our story. The reader may as well pause here and take breath, for the long, intricate, winding road of an old-time courtship has just been entered upon, and in following the pair whose cause we have espoused we shall need to husband the reserve forces of our interest, as our patience may be quite severely strained before we have reached the climax of our tale. We shall be in good company, how- ever, and we may look for much that is picturesque and entertaining along the way. Crystal fountains will burst out in unlooked-for places, generous shade will invite a pause for rest, and, as we rise higher, beautiful table-lands, that command extensive views of life, will afford ample scope for our delighted vision.

The preliminary steps have been taken, and the stage reached where those in the settlement knew that Than Greenlaw and Mollie Walderman were "keepin' company," and the old dames said Than was "payin' 'tention to Mollie." Seven years were required for an apprentice to learn his trade in those days ; same time for courtship to ripen into marriage. These old-fash- ioned gallants sought the goal with great patience and perseverance. An American girl of today would become disgusted with the attention of a dozen suitors and turn them adrift in less than half the time it required in the early days to get up steam.

Now the curious reader wishes to get at the kernel of the corn; to know the methods employed to win fair maiden and hold her to her bargain; to know what they said to each other and how they behaved in each other's com- pany at times of meeting. Well, my friends, this is an obscure dingle to pass through, and our approach must be made with extreme caution. Only such as were initiated in the pioneer period are supposed to speak with any claims to authority on this delicate subject, or, rather, at this point in our narrative. Fortunately we are pretty well equipped for the undertaking; our note book holds copious materials for our purpose. Let us see what we can find.

Knowing something of the limited accommodations of the primitive home, and the want of a suitable place of retirement, supposed to be appropriate for the telling of lovers' pleasing dreams, we asked our old informant where the courting business was carried on in those days, and she replied: "We had a tryst." A secluded bower down on the mossy river bank under the shelter of the singing pines, where the fretting ripples of the stream played their tune against the corrugated ledge ; down where the wild flowers scented the even- ing air, and the whip-poor-will chanted his mournful plaint; here, in this retired spot, the lovers met, and spent a prudent hour together. And what said they? What themes did they discuss? Inspired by the delightful in- cense that is supposed to distil from two hearts under favorable conditions, did they wax eloquent, and pour into each other's ears soft and sentimental expressions of fondness until each drifted into a dreamy, hazy spell and became

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intoxicated and oblivious to all the more real and practical things of life, health, and the pursuit of happiness? Why, no! She said he told her of the "claim " he had taken up; of the "clearing " he had opened ; of the fine eleva- tion suitable for a house-lot he had found; of the number of acres of corn he intended to "dig in " on his burnt cut-down, and how much of the golden grain he hoped to harvest toward paying for his land. For an interlude he would remark that it was a beautiful evening, or that the whip-poor-will did sing sweetly, and she, responsive soul, would softly whisper "yes."

All this may seem very "commercial " and unromantic; may appear out of form in such associations, but it was a day of practical things, when the pressing needs of the family were of prime importance, and must receive atten- tion. At the same time, while their conversation was carried on, there was a silent undertow, whose gentle waves of soothing sweetness swashed and swirled around their hearts, dashing its delicious spray over their tranquil spirits, causing each to feel as though they were gently drifting in some tossing boat upon an elysian sea.

When their ideas of propriety prompted the lovers to turn their lingering feet homeward, he held her little, warm, fat hand in his embracing palm, and they went slowly to the house-place of the Walderman farmstead. A moment's pause, an imprinted seal of fellowship, and while Mollie was finding her pillow by her sleeping sister's side, the moccasined feet of Than Greenlaw were brushing dewdrops from the tangled grass that grew along the river-path on his way home.

When it became known throughout the Narragansett settlement that Mr. Walderman's daughter Mollie was receiving the attention of Than Greenlaw, it helped them forward amazingly ; it caused the couple to anticipate the ex- pectation of the community, and made them more confidential in giving public, but prudent, evidence of the interesting relationship existing between them. They came down the road side by side when on their way to the sanctuary, where the good Parson Coffin preached the word; they sat together on the plank seat during the long sermon; they wended homeward as they came. We may be sure this more public demonstration of their attachment caused a flutter among the lads and lassies, all along the line, and it set all the gossipy tongues a-wagging, but Than and Mollie were becoming acquainted with the mystic way, and accounting that others had been "through the mill," and such things had been foreordained, they kept moving forward. As ships that pass in the night, the years slipped away. Than Greenlaw had developed and expanded into a fine and attractive specimen of physical man- hood. Mollie Walderman had ripened and matured, and was now a graceful, dignified, and charming woman. The two had gone on horseback to attend the wedding of Samuel Mitchell and Charity Tyler in the plantation of Little Ossipee, in company with several other young couples from Narra-

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gansett, No. 1, and were taking lessons that would better prepare them for coming events.

Than had built a house on his claim, which was now surrounded by con- siderable cleared land. His harvests had been abundant, and the acreage he had called his own was clear of all incumbrances. Honeysuckle and red clover bloomed about his door-stone. A well-fenced field was covered with tall, waving timothy. Sleek cattle ruminated in the stumpy pasture. A dozen sheep flecked the green turf near the river bank. Than Greenlaw's grain bins were full to the cover. His older maiden sister kept his house, and frugally had all things orderly and tidy.

All the dreamy summer days found Mollie Walderman at her wheel or loom. Her brothers dressed for her the flax, she twisted the fluffy lint upon the distaff, and with her nimble fingers drew the supple thread. She was a happy child. A halo of peace encircled her pretty head, her heart thrilled with loving emotions, her prospects were now auspicious and pleasing. She had laid away a fine supply of snow-white linen for her "toucher." When the early autumn came, she and her mother went to Saco on horseback, riding double, of course, and returned with the old Walderman mare nearly covered with bundles and bandboxes. All along the clearings they had been seen by the gossiping neighbors, and the air was filled with old women's "surmises." It was now a foregone conclusion that Miss Mollie Walderman was soon to become a wife; the conclusion was based on sound premises.

Meanwhile, Pat Slattery, an Irish tailor, made his appearance in the settle- ment, and had spent two weeks at the house of Than Greenlaw. He had been a frequent visitor to the township, and somehow his coming was now well timed. Pat always managed to have a nice coat pattern tucked away in his pack; could find another if wanted. He was a good workman, prided himself on his perfect-fitting garments, and had a keen eye to business. He was a genuine type of the witty and inimitable sons of the Green Isle. An un- wearied talker, full of flattering ejaculations. As he laid his tape over Than Greenlaw's broad shoulders, and drew it across his swelling chest, he stood back, struck an Irishman's attitude, and, closing one eye, tipped his yellow head to one side and said : "Be me howly mother, Mister Greenal-haugh, yer honor, be jabbers! ye's the foinest laid out gintleman my eyes iver looked upon! Arrah, but ye his a foine for-um to measure. The angels help me, but ye be twanty-six across yer shoulthers, and forty-eight unther yer ar-rums. It's a foine coat I'll make ye, Mister Greenal-haugh. Arrah, but ye'll presint a royal appearance whin ye's go abroad with yer foine fitting snug-body. Ye be a very rasonable man, yer honor, and I dare say ye'll hev a prosperous career." Day in and out there Pat sat upon his cramped feet, plying his needle, his frowsy hair tossing in the breeze that came through the window. Betimes he would call Greenlaw in and try on the coat, or the waistcoat, and on every

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such occasion was exhausting the superlatives of his vocabulary in praise of his customer's majestic and godlike form. "Arrah, yer honor, that comes over ye as nate as a hin's wing over her chackens, and be me howly mother, ye look like a king, Mister Greenal-haugh."

Arrangements at the Walderman home were nearly completed. A sister of Ned Flanders, a young lady of excellent taste and skilled as a fashionable maker of wedding gowns at Newbury town before moving to the Narragansett plantation, was called to assist in making up the pretty materials Mollie and her mother had purchased at Saco, and had whispered in her was-to-be-sister's ear that no more beautifully dressed maiden had ever stood at the marriage altar in her presence while dwelling among the fashionable folk at the westward.

As the people assembled about the door of the old meeting-house, on Sabbath morning, they eagerly read the "publishment" of Mr. Nathaniel Greenlaw and Mistress Mollie Walderman. As one after another of the fami- lies from the Little Ossipee and Little Falls plantations dismounted at the horse-block it was whispered in their ears that there was to be a wedding. Old dames put on their great, round-lighted, iron-bowed spectacles, and ven- erable men, leaning upon their staff, read the joyful news. Between meetings this wedding was the theme of conversation upon the door-yard lawn, and as old women wandered among the graves-as such always will-they gossiped about the Waldermans and Greenlaws. Than and Mollie were not present on that day for gazing-stock; no doubt their ears burned at home. But Susie Walderman was there within ear-shot of some of the old dames and reported to her anxious sister some of the remarks she had overheard.

Aunt Debby Lane declared it to be her opinion that this match was decreed in heaven, and Aunt Dolly Palmer responded, solemnly, "Amen." Patience Boynton said Mollie was as pretty a lass as ever saw light in the set- tlement, and Prudence Merrill responded that Than Greenlaw was as worthy as Mollie. And so they kept it going. The names of the two were in every- body's mouth, and to some were "a sid in their teeth."

When all preparations had been completed, a man was dispatched to Lit- tle Falls and Little Ossipee with invitations to the wedding, which was to be in Nathaniel Greenlaw's dwelling "on a Tuesday week." Impatient curiosity could scarcely wait for the appointed day, and when it dawned there was running to and fro, bustle, confusion, and loud talking. It was four miles to Greenlaw's from the "Dalton Right settlement" (now between Moderation and Bonnie Eagle) and from eight to nine from " Nasonsville," in Little Ossipee plantation. The wedding was to take place at 2 o'clock P. M., and the hour- glasses were admonishing those who were contemplating the journey to hasten.

At an early hour in the morning the young men and women had gone forward in advance, and at nine and ten those who rode horseback, from the two up-river plantations, were mounted and on the road. Indeed, this was a

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gala day for the settlement and a restful lull in the monotony of daily toil. Everybody, old and young, entered into the spirit of the occasion with much abandon, and the festivities were greatly enjoyed. About the door-yard were groups of old men with canes and adorned with white hair. Others in the vigor of manhood, just returned from the Revolution, with many arbitrary demonstrations were mapping out old campaigns and fighting their battles over at the road-side. The great, coarse, long-shanked, loose-jointed, high-shoul- dered youngsters, as green as corn in the milk, were leaning against the log fence in single file and in every conceivable position. Young misses in home- spun gowns, under sun-bonnets, were hovering about the doors. The families of Walderman and Greenlaw were all present. The mothers were very busy about the rooms within. Parson Coffin now rides down the lane and dismounts upon the new horse-block that has been set up for the occasion. It was evident that the supreme moment was drawing near, and the scattered groups about the field-side assembled about the doors and open windows. Pat Slat- tery was seated on the stair in the entry-way, with a mingled expression of seriousness and mischief playing around his enormously wide mouth. An awful stillness now pervaded the assembly; it was like that oppressive hush that precedes the bursting of some terrible storm, when the black clouds trail the hills and the thunder makes the mountains quake.

Convoyed by Ned Flanders and Susie Walderman, in beautiful attire, Mr. Nathaniel Greenlaw and Mistress Mollie Walderman came into the best room, where the good parson had been seated, and the four stood side by side. Beloved, there was the material for a picture that, if depicted in half its real beauty upon canvas, would, today, be snapped up at a hundred thousand and hang, as a priceless treasure of historic art, in the highest halls of state. Than Greenlaw's finely developed, majestic form was never seen at such advan- tage before. He was dressed in a blue, "snug-bodied," perfect-fitting frock- coat, spangled with thickly-set rows of burnished gilt buttons; at the front, an ample waistcoat, cut low, of large figure, in silk; below, buff breeches of soft buckskin, encasing a pair of limbs of noble circumference, terminating with white silk stockings at the knee, that were held by broad buckles sparkling with tiny crystals or garnets. Low-cut, gloss morocco shoes were worn, which were latched with silver buckles. His statesmanlike face was smoothly shaven and his long hair combed back and queued with a broad ribbon behind. A shirt-front of ample width and immaculate whiteness, and a broad collar turned down over a wide, black silk neckcloth finished this wedding suit.

Mollie Walderman was the incarnation of maiden loveliness, transcending the power of pen to describe. The choicest heritage of health was exhibited in her fresh complexion and finely developed form. Her eyes, large, soulful, and beaming with happiness, bewildered those who came within their range. She was modestly attired. Her gown was of rich, figured stuff, full skirted;

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a cross-laced bodice of blue velvet. Over this, covering her plump shoulders, there was a pretty silken cape, heavily fringed and remarkably graceful and becoming. Her hair, until now worn in braids, was gracefully coiled behind, and above was a wreath woven of small white flowers. She wore lace at the neck and wrists; in her ears a pair of modest pendants. But her dower of beauty was God-given, and not dependent upon any artificial ornament. For a moment she stood at the side of her chosen husband, silently admired and almost adored.

Parson Coffin in the most gentle and decorous manner tied the holy knot, and the blushing, happy pair received such congratulations and salutations as were usually accorded on such occasions among the pioneers. At this juncture Pat Slattery pushed through the crowd, and standing before Greenlaw and his new wife delivered himself as follows: "Fair ladies and gintlemen, in the howly name o' the mother o' God, will ye for a moment give yer attintion to his honor, Mister Greenal-haugh? Gintlemen and fair ladies, do you see that suit made by me own hands? 1 call ye to witness before all the howly angels that ye niver saw in all your long and blissed lives a more princely- looking man, nor one dressed more like a king. May yer honor and your queenly lady have all the howly benidictions of the whole army of heavenly intilliginces."

The marriage feast had now been spread, and the company was called to the long and bountifully supplied tables. Grace said by the parson, all hands, in exuberant glee and prolific of harmless jest, heartily refreshed the outer man-and woman, too. Somebody asked the carpenter, in a loud whisper, if he had any cradles in stock, and another hinted that the " sile " on Mr. Green- law's farm would conduce to the growth of "olive plants." As for Parson Coffin, he was not far behind in witty repartee, and modestly assured Miss Susie Walderman that he would experience great felicity in changing her name to Flanders, which, although somewhat "Dutchy," was very respectable.

It would be milking time before the fathers and mothers could reach their homes, those who lived in the up-river settlements, and they mounted and were away at full gallop.

But there was an important ceremony then in vogue at the "hanging of the crane," which must be performed by the young folk at a later hour; the last act in the old-time drama. This was called the "tucking-in," and no couple were considered well started in domestic life, without this being thor- oughly attended to.

At a late hour, Nathaniel Greenlaw very politely begged to be excused, and decorously escorted his wife to the sleeping apartment that had been fitted up for their occupancy. After due time, a sharp knock was heard on the wall and all hands made a rush to "see how newly wedded folk looked on pillows." The high and curtained bedstead was at once pulled out so that part of the

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tuckers could work on the back side. Those were days of deep feather-beds laid upon equally bountiful straws sacks, and when these had been consider- ably elevated at the sides by pulling up, and the radical tucking under of several ample, old-fashioned patchwork quilts, the position of those within can be readily imagined; to say that they were, perforce, neighborly would be to couch description in very cool language. Thus were they compelled to lie, like a ship in the trough of the sea, until the "master of ceremonies" had pronounced them "well tucked in," when the happy pair received a parting salutation, which was considered indispensable to restful slumber, the "good nights" were spoken, and the company retired, leaving them in the custody of the good angels.

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Saco Valley settlements and families. Historical, biographical, genealogical, traditional, and legendary, Part 38

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Portland, Me., The author Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Ridlon, Gideon Tibbetts, 1841- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Portland, Me., The author
Number of Pages: 1424