Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr - Chapter 23

A part of the Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr

My experience with Mrs. Smith Remele was more or less talked about in Ripton, and other places, where we were both known. When the winter was passed, and the town meeting in March was held, I was surprised by the town making me first lister of the three. Also was put in the jury list, so I was about among people a good deal. Mr. Hemenway had left town, and the Congregational church has preaching only half the time, and the choir and church had asked me back. Now I was with the young again, and I flattered myself that my skill in vocal music had improved.

The Universalist of East Middlebury had a new church, but no choir, they had a fine man for a minister. A Mr. Miller. They came after me to lead their choir the alternate Sunday, as Mr. Miller preached only once in two weeks. My time was all taken up. I remember the price at East Middlebury was one dollar and a half each Sabbath, punctually paid by Mr. Luman Hyde. Thus you observe I did not go mourning all my days. Only once in a while some friend happened to introduce to me the put away history that I did not care to dwell upon.

Occasionally I visited mother who had left Ripton and returned to Weybridge, and I would be in touch with young people there. I went to see my grand mother Bullard - though old she was pretty good company.

I recollect one day I was reading a paper cover novel. She came and took the book out of my hand, looked at the title and remarked. "Hiram that book ain't fit to read". Why Grandmother, how do you know? answer. "Have read it myself!" She said that with her peculiar look, that I remembered so well all through my younger days.

I had a cousin there she was fifteen then (sixteen in September 1851.) that use to come and sit near me, and seemed to be still nearer my thoughts. She was really the sweetest disposition girl I ever knew. She really had an angel face, one could not find any change to improve it, her hair most black, with a reddish tinge, her mild eyes but dark, a great contrast in her complexion, white with rosy cheeks and lips, some how we became quite intimate, her mind was peculiarly penetrating, and her judgement very clear for one so young. She was a devoted Christian, and really there was not one endowment to be added to the graces she was clothed with.

One day that summer her father "Doctor Bullard" was building a new house. Sarah invited me to go up with her, and she would show me the plan of it, as she had me by the arm she spoke. "How sober had I grown". I did not use to be so." I answered, That I had had enough to make me sober. Somehow she brought up about Mrs. Smith Remele, she asked me to tell her just how it was? I did so and wound up with what Aunt Cardua had told mother as a sequel to the whole affair, Sarah just broke down at this, come and set on my knee and cried as if her heart would break. She finally put her arms around my neck and told me, "she liked me better than any one else in the whole world." I could not help to be in sympathy with her. "And she was sorry for Sorelle, for she believed Sorelle would never forget the mistake she had made". I told my cousin Sarah, she was the sweetest girl I ever knew, and I hoped Watson Ayres loved her as well as I did. (I knew Watson had paid her attention and did not know how much Sarah thought of him.) She wiped her eyes, and looking at me sharply, said, "she did not love Watson Ayres, no one but me", and was in tears again. Saying, we were cousins, and not best to be nearer related, for her part she should live and be an old maid. I seconded that remark that I could be an old bachelor. Now truly we believed both of us at that time. That the case was closed up, verdict rendered, and we were both happy: We believed one another. We each saw in each other what we liked, and truly for me there was something to live for. That we would pass through life with these loving thoughts of one another.

Well after this most honest disclosure of one another's feelings, time passed on with glad wings; I strictly to my business, and seeing to my mother, brothers, and sister. I would go away from Weybridge, and earn perhaps near one hundred dollars, and return, paying taxes, debts, provisions and other needed wants, finally father in San Fransisco sent mother a one hundred dollar check. With this the next winter circumstances improved, and as part of mothers home was not finished, I went at it and finished it up; and though I would not see Sarah for a month or two months, our hearts seemed to grow together stronger and stronger.

This was in 1852, about the time of gathering apples. I had been picking a favorite tree of the doctors, so they would keep, and Sarah for helper, and grandmother was our company. We had a nice time.

After the work was completed, I was in grandmothers room, when I had the courage to ask grandmother. Why Sarah and I could not be husband and wife? "Well." says she. "That's curious, (Sarah. Who was a great favorite of grandmother) asked me the same question, and I made her this answer. That I thought it would be all well enough. You and Sarah do not look a mite alike. She is dark, and you are light, closing with this remark. "Hiram if I was you, I would have a talk with Cullen".