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Taylor, Bayard, 1825-1878

"Beauty and the Beast, and Tales of Home"

Her dress was plainer than ever, and she
wore the scoop-bonnet of drab silk, in which no woman can seem
beautiful, unless she be very old. She was calm and grave in her
demeanor, save that her perfect goodness and benevolence shone
through and warmed her presence; but, when earnestly interested,
she had been known to speak her mind so clearly and forcibly that
it was generally surmised among the Friends that she possessed "a
gift," which might, in time, raise her to honor among them. To the
children of Moses she was a good genius, and a word from "Aunt
'Senath" oftentimes prevailed when the authority of the parents was
disregarded. In them she found a new source of happiness; and when
her old home on the Neshaminy had been removed a little farther
into the past, so that she no longer looked, with every morning's
sun, for some familiar feature of its scenery, her submission
brightened into a cheerful content with life.
It was summer, and Quarterly-Meeting Day had arrived. There had
been rumors of the expected presence of "Friends from a distance,"
and not only those of the district, but most of the neighbors who
were not connected with the sect, attended.


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