Cyrus W. Field.”
“Rev. Dr. Field, Stockbridge, Mass., via Pittsfield:
“Cable successfully laid. All well.
“Cyrus W. Field.”
It may interest some readers to follow this message to Stockbridge and see his family at the time of its delivery. His wife and children were passing the afternoon quietly, when all were startled by the appearance of his mother. Almost breathless with excitement she exclaimed,
“Mary, the cable is laid. Thomas, believest thou this?”
Not a word was spoken, but a silent prayer was the response.
“To Cyrus W. Field:
“Your family is all at Stockbridge and well. The joyful news arrived there Thursday, and almost overwhelmed your wife. Father rejoiced like a boy. Mother was wild with delight. Brothers, sisters, all were overjoyed. Bells were rung, guns fired; children, let out of school, shouted, ‘The cable is laid! the cable is laid!’ The village was in a tumult of joy. My dear brother, I congratulate you. God bless you.
David Dudley Field.”