Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr - Chapter 22

A part of the Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr

I might have returned to Vermont now, but for the new I had from a friend that I was generally known, Sorelle was to be married to Remele, and there was to be a wedding tour. I have a little grit, and I was bound not to appear in that town of Ripton until after Remele arrived. So on returning to New York - Mr. Roberts wanted I should take a young Englishman, just come over, and show him about canvassing over in Jersey City. I did for a week; then Roberts wanted I should go back on the Erie Rail Road and look the ground over, and return by stage from Middletown through Montgomery to Newberg. There at Newberg was the last time I ever saw Carlos Billings. He wanted I should deliver to O. S. Fowler some books at Fishkill. The carpet bag would weigh near fifty pounds! I asked Billings. If he would continue in this business? He said, Yes. Then I told him, he would not live two years, and follow it! He laughed at me. Told me of his wife lately married and lived in Albany.

Billings was a tall thin framed man, I knew in all probability he could not stand the hard usage. Take forty or fifty pounds of books, and occasionally would be the necessity of walking one to ten miles hurrying to make connections at steamboat landings, all at a "rush" I know I traveled on foot that season both sides of the Hudson River, from Cold Spring opposite Wast Point, to Hudson city opposite Athens. Carlos Billings lived about one and a half years, and died of consumption. There always had it impressed on me that there is a limit to human endurance.

I went to Fishkill to O. S. Fowler. "Phrenologist." He was building a new house never saw the like of it! About thirty feet diameter, eight-square, or eight sided. We will call it octagonal. Necessarily some rooms were a triangle. After the basement was built of stone, the walls and partitions were carried up by lumber one inch by three inches, and every other strip four inches by one inch. First lay one width and nail it; then the other wi??? and nail it, all laid horizontal. Then the walls ready for plaster. It is a very substantial way of building. The house standing near the Fishkill River, next the river appeared three stories. A part of the basement was reserved for the professors horse and cow. This struck me as a novel way, and I suggested to Mr. Fowler I saw an economy in rooting to which he agreed.

I was to have a letter from home when I came to Rutland, Vt., as the Vermont Central had finally opened to carry passengers. I will say at that time, it was the roughest road I ever rode on.

When I came to Rutland found the letter that Remele had not come, so I went to work there with receipt books for one week, doing quite well, sold all out, and was ready for another job. When a letter came that Remele had arrived.

At Ripton found plenty to do. My folks were glad to see me. I had concluded to go do my trade of millwright work in the town. After a couple of weeks Miss Smith sent for me to come and see her. Had heard wedding cards were out.

After seeing her, and a hand clasp, nothing further in familiarity. We made talk on various subjects. Finally Sorelle said I had changed in language and appearance. She seemed to be astonished at the metamorphosis in my case. I had a new suit of clothes in New York City style, perhaps this has something to do with my looks.

I will say here, I had always held women as beings to be highly respected. I placed her on a high pedestal, and to my mind today I would fain keep her there. This date January 20, 1902, Butte, Montana. I have never took advantage of her frailties if I surmised they appeared, kept myself blind in that respect.

Miss Smith left me a few minutes, then brought out the gold watch and chain I had given her also gold locket and gave me, said she would return them. I had almost forgotten them at that time, my mind had been so wrought up on other things. She also said, to bring her letters and she would return mine. Then she told me of her near marriage, but she said, she could not invite me to the wedding.

This decision of Sorelle hurt me, for I thought to her marrying Remele, who was and whole family Congregationalist! Says I. Sorelle did not go? write me soon after I went away. That you had been confirmed at St Stephens Church at Middlebury, and for all the world, I had the book of Common Prayer in my coat pocket. I took it out and told her, I had read that a great deal since I left her. It was a long time before Sorelle could speak, and when she could her voice was broken to relate to me some poetry I composed at Kingston, N.Y., about the baptism of a child, and that Mrs. Nathan Wood of Middlebury said they ought to be published.

In my opinion just at that time no greater agony could be experienced by two human beings than Sorelle and myself.

I was about to leave when Mrs. Smith came into the room where we were and said, Mr. Smith wanted to see me. I went out and shook hands with him and sat down near him by the kitchen stove as he was smoking his pipe: Well Hurlburt says he. You have changed in appearance in a year! I answered, I was the same person, and, was not aware of any change. Smith coughed and spit. The said, "Sorelle is going to marry Remele". Concluding, "I don't know"! Then spitting quite often. I answered that I thought Mr. Remele a nice man. "Yes". He answered, "Stephen is a nice man". Smith spit most every word, and then concluded. "Hiram you are a fine man too". He could but just speak. Then I said. I hope Sorelle will get the one she loves best. My saying that broke him all up! He could not speak and myself in sympathy. If a question were asked, it would have been difficult to reply. But I swallowed hard, and see the situation was embarrassing, and I took his hand, and bade him, good night. Then went back to Sorelle to bid her good night. She clung to my hand, finally her arm was around my neck, and not a word uttered. Her mother came and rapped on the door, when we stood apart I took my hat and left. I heard afterwards on good authority (Mrs. Smith told my Aunt, Now Mrs. FB. Webb) that Mr. and Mrs. Smith worked over Sorelle to bring her to for a long time, immediately after I left. And that Smith started several times to call me back.

I know I walked home saying to myself. What kind of a world is this anyway? It seemed to me at that time, as if I would remain single to the end of my days!