As the boys lead the horse to the stable the girls take the letter to their
room, where they weep much, pray some, and read over and over again that
strange document.




CHAPTER II.


ELIZABETH'S ALIENATION FROM THE ANCESTRAL FAITH.

Elizabeth Ward was the eldest of six children. She had a tall, straight
form, rather stern and dignified airs, a keen black eye, and a beautiful
countenance, though rather on the masculine order. Her father, Samuel Ward,
was a wealthy farmer and stock grower and a skillful horseman. He had
determined to give this, his eldest daughter, a liberal education, and have
her assist in the instruction of her sisters. She proved so easy to learn,
and showed such aptitude and application in study, that he afforded her the
best opportunities given young ladies in New England at that day. And
in his pride of horsemanship he took much pains to make her a skillful
equestrienne, and never seemed prouder than when riding out with Elizabeth
by his side upon an elegant steed in costly equipage. To carry out
his notions for the perfection of her accomplishments, he sent her to
Pittsfield, Mass., among wealthy and cultured relatives, to devote a year
or two to association with elegant society. And to avoid that horror of the
real Yankee's dreams, "shiftlessness," she was to take up a small select
school for employment. There too, as at home, she must have a splendid
horse at her command, and no cost must be spared to make her equipage, as
well as wardrobe, as elegant as the best. Morning and evening rides must