A Colonial Wooing
he pressed forward towards the town. It was a tiresome, lonesome, dispiriting journey, and Matthew dreaded to make known, in a garbled way, his errand when he reached his destination. Might he not contradict himself; might he not seem unduly anxious and possibly rouse suspicion in the minds of Friends?
This was too much for his stubborn pride, and he exclaimed, "Nonsense; whoever questioned me or my motives?" And with renewed confidence in himself he shifted his position, looked out upon the world instead of at his horse's neck, and rode on with more of the appearance of an upright man.
While the sun was setting back of the Pennsylvania hills Matthew Watson rode into Burlington, and, having found shelter for his horse, wended his way to Thomas Gardiner's and became his guest for the night.
The affairs of meeting, of the province, every topic that he could think of, was duly discussed, and not until the other members of the family had retired did Matthew mention the main purpose of his visit. The "Shield"
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