Fur acrost that dark continent from another oasis like Victor beginnin’ to be illuminated with the white light beamin’ from the uplifted cross, come a message to me from another consecrated missionary and child of Heaven, Evangeline Noble. She told me of the blessed work she wuz doin’ in Africa and how happy she wuz in it, for her Master wuz with her tellin’ her what to do from day to day, and she happy in carryin’ out that work and seein’ the light from heaven stream into dark minds and souls.
How much store I set by her, I lay out to send her a barrel of things this fall, some dried apples, canned fruit, good books, a piece of rag carpet and a crazy quilt, not rarin’ ravin’ crazy, but sort o’ beautifully delerious, embroidered with cat stitch round every block.
And the other letter wuz from Miss Meechim. I read Cousin John Richard’s and Evangeline’s, but I put hern on the mantletry piece and thought I wouldn’t read it till about a hour after dinner, mistrustin’ that it would agitate and work me up, so that my food wouldn’t set good.
Dorothy’s marriage to Robert Strong had took place a week before, but not a word had I heard from Miss Meechim, and I didn’t know what effect the blow had had on her. Josiah and I had been warmly invited to attend the weddin’, but not feelin’ willin’ to embark on another tower we sent her a pretty present and love, lots and lots of love, and the earnest best wishes of our hearts.
They wuz married in Dorothy’s home in San Francisco, and went immegiately after the ceremony to their new home in the City of Justice to begin their life work there. Dorothy had writ me all the particulars of their marriage. They didn’t want any show and display she said, and they took the money they would have had to spend to make a big wedding with a crowd of guests, elaborate dressing, rich viands, music, flowers, etc. They took this money and gave a holiday to the children in the City of Justice, a beautiful dinner, music and gifts for all.
And they wuz married in a plain, quiet way in the presence of a few relatives and close friends, she dressed in a pretty white muslin (and lookin’ sweet as a rose I knew, though, of course, she didn’t say so). And after a simple lunch, they drove out to their new home. But I hearn, and it come straight, too, that the children of the City of Justice, just worshippin’ Robert Strong as they did, they all on ’em dressed in white, their pretty heads crowned with roses, filled baskets with the sweetest flowers they could find and went out to meet the young couple beyend the gate. And as they approached, they met ’em with rejoicing songs sung in their sweet clear voices and scattered roses and sweet posies in their path, their bright, happy eyes and smilin’ lips givin’ ’em just as sweet a greetin’.
And as they entered into the city at sunset, the workmen met ’em all dressed in holiday attire, and their cheers and blessings followed the carriage till they reached their own door, which wuz banked up with odorous blossoms as high as ever a snow drift blocked up the houses in Jonesville, and 468 they had to fairly wade through the sweet posies to git to their door.
So, surrounded and blessed with love and rejoicings rising from grateful adoring hearts, Robert and Dorothy Strong begun their married life. Love and Mercy standin’ right by their sides like maids of honor, and Honesty and Justice like usher and best man, usherin’ ’em into a useful and happy life of work and toil sweetened forever with gratitude and love. Lovin’ each other as dearly as ever a man and woman did, lovin’ their Lord supremely and showing that love in the way He bade his disciples to in caring for and blessing humanity. They begun that day a power of helpful inspiring influences that would bless the world, go through life with ’em and wait on ’em clear through the swellin’ flood and lead ’em up onto the other shore from their City of Justice and love here, to that sweet continuing City of Rest and Reward.
I felt well about Robert and Dorothy––yes, my heart sung for Joy carryin’ the hull four parts, base, altore, bear tone and sulfireno. That is to say, the different faculties of my head and heart all jined in and sung together in happiness and made a full orkestry.