her; and, finally, she peremptorily forbade the marriage. He replied by requesting her to take a week for consideration before con firming herself in this resolution, telling her that, should she persist in her opposition to his union with the lady of his choice, he would go where she would never see him nor hear from him again. Possibly the lady's family was also so high-spirited, as to refuse their consent to a portionless young man without professional training. When the specified day arrived John found himself without money and with his proud and cruel mother as fixed as ever in her pur pose. He left her, and it proved as he had said, — she never saw him nor heard from him afterwards. John Sullivan was at this time about thirtyone years of age, and well-qualified to choose a wife for himself. It is related that when over sixty years of age, at the mention of the name of this fiancée, he lost all control of his feelings. He sailed from Limerick in 1723, landing in York, Maine. Being without the money to pay his passage, he was held under bonds to Mr. Nowell, the master of the vessel, for the debt. After trying with ill success such work as he could find near the port, he applied to the noted Samuel Moody, minister of York, for assistance in procuring more suitable employ ment. To prove his qualifications for teach ing, he wrote — tradition says — a letter in seven different languages. Mr. Moody gen erously loaned him sufficient money to satisfy his creditor, and aided him in opening a school at Berwick, in Maine. During the tedious voyage across the ocean, a pretty child, nine years of age, known to us only by the name of Margery, by her artless prattle and winning ways afforded the wounded heart of the young man much sol ace. York, it is said, was not the port for which the vessel sailed, a great storm hav ing driven her far out of her course. For some reason, which does not appear, the
passage of this child, also, was unpaid, and her future unprovided for. Mr. Sullivan compassionately became responsible for her, though in debt for himself. After a few years of teaching Master Sul livan opened a second school at Berwick, and for many years sustained there a school for boys and another for girls. Margery, his ward, lived in his house and shared his in struction. She grew up a handsome young woman of unusual energy of character. When about twenty-one years of age, she was one day at the well drawing water as a young man passed the house. His appearance, she perceived, was superior to such young men as were common in those parts, while he quickly dis cerned her unusual beauty and grace. He turned aside from the road, and engaged her in conversation. Fascinated by her charms, he lingered long with her at the well, and ended by proposing marriage. In reply she referred him to her foster father, Master Sul livan, and he sought an interview at once. Before answering this eager suitor, Mr. Sullivan consulted the young woman herself, learning that no such impression had been made upon her heart as would warrant his consent to the proposal, and the overhasty lover was shown to the door, with the inti mation that the further prosecution of his suit would be resented. This incident appears to have brought Master Sullivan to a realization that Margery was no longer a child; and that, though he had not lost her to this suitor, some other might soon tear her away from him. On further inquiry regarding her sentiments, he learned that he himself had the preference in her affections, though he was at the time forty-three years of age. This was about the year 1735, and they were married soon after Margery's avowal. One of Master Sullivan's pupils, and sub sequently for many years his neighbor, has described Master Sullivan at a much later date than thi3, as tall, erect, slender, but well
