A Colonial Wooing
thew Watson had had no fault to find. Nothing had been misrepresented, and in every business relation Robert Pearson had been pre-eminently just and considerate, but soon a strained feeling arose that nothing could overcome. Robert was not a Friend, and had never realized what was the full purport of Quaker principles until he had met Matthew, who unfortunately represented much more than the tenets of George Fox called for. He had found beneath the plain coat and broad-brimmed hat abundant evidences of our common nature. He had found that both Quakers and Churchmen had like weaknesses, and learned too, to his surprise, that the latter were considered legitimate game of the former. There was an elasticity of conscience occasionally exhibited that at first disgusted and then amused. Matthew could do that which would benefit himself, but could not repeat it for the benefit of another. In short, Robert Pearson looked upon him as a fraud, but said nothing in public; the public looked upon him as a wonderful man and were never tired of shouting his praises.
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