"On the night I speak of, he at once signified his willingness to proceed to L—, and carry a letter to his master."
"The next evening, Mr. Dobbs reached home. But he was so changed I scarcely knew him. Camp life had proved unfavorable to his health, and he now and then startled me by a dry, hollow cough. Then he had passed the whole day in the city, trying to straighten out his affairs, and assist the police who were in pursuit of the wicked clerk. He retired to bed, but he could not sleep. He rose, and, going into the next room, began to pace the floor. Then I heard his voice in prayer. I joined him and kneeled by his side. He was beseeching his heavenly Father to make known to him the path of duty. 'If my country demands of me this sacrifice,—my health; my life; my property,—if it is thy will, O God! help me to submit cheerfully. I give it all into thy hands, lead me by thy finger.'"
"After this he retired to bed and slept peacefully for several hours."
"When we went to breakfast, and a sad meal it was, I saw Jotham busy in the yard with the horses. I noticed that he kept looking toward the window, and throwing up the sash I spoke to him.
"'I want to see Mr. Dobbs, afore he leaves the house!' he said eagerly."
"We went through the form of eating, and then once more committed ourselves and all our anxieties to God."
"Your father then went out to see Jotham. I stood gazing abstractedly from the window, and I wondered what could be the subject of conversation. We often ask God to help us, and then we wonder at his readiness to do so. While we had been speaking God had heard. But of this I knew nothing at the time. I saw Jotham growing every moment more earnest and excited. I witnessed my husband's motion of dissent again and again; then they came quickly toward the house, but passed the door and went toward the cottage of Mrs. Frost."
"I cannot tell you yet what an hour that was which followed to the poor, lone widow. I knew nothing of it at the time. At the end of it my husband and Jotham came back together. The young man was dressed in his Sunday suit, and looked bright and handsome. There was a light in his eye I had never noticed before."
"'Put the black mare into the open buggy as quickly as possible,' said my husband in an excited tone, 'and I'll be ready.'"
"I couldn't account for it, but he seemed anxious to avoid my eye. He made some hurried changes in his dress, then was about to leave the room, but turned and pressed me in his arms, whispering, 'Pray for me to-day, Mary; put your trust in God and hope for the best.'"