It wuz not their fault, it wuz but the fallin’ hail and lightnin’ and tempest out of clouds that had been gatherin’ for ages.
But after the tempest cometh peace. And the eyes of Faith beholds through the mists and the darkness the sunshine of a calmer time, the peace and the rest of a fair country, and a free one.
God grant more wisdom to the great commonwealth of this nation, those whose wills are spoken out by their ballots, to the makers and the doers of law.
But I am a eppisodin’, and to resoom, and continue on.
Felix and Hester, by some good chance, or by the grace of God, had not been obliged yet to leave their pretty home, so they worked on, tryin’ to be so peaceable and friendly that no fault could be found with them.
Col. Seybert’s attention when he wuz at Seybert Court wuz very annoyin’ to Hester, but she dared not tell Felix, fearin’ that he would avenge himself on the Colonel, and bloodshed would result.
So she tried to be very careful. She had an old negro woman stay with her; she took in work all she could at home, and when she went out to work she wuz prudent and watchful, and, fortunately for her peace of mind, the Colonel made short stays at his home—he found more potent attractions elsewhere.
So stood matters when Felix wuz appointed Justice of the Peace at Eden Centre.
He wuz honestly appointed and honestly elected.
Victor had always declined any office, and had Felix taken his advice he would also have refused the office.