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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Sad (07/26/07)
Squeak, creak, squeak… Elijah sat on the porch swing as he stared into the gathering dusk of the chilly late afternoon. It was Christmastime, 1891—the season of peace, hope, and joy for so many; but this year, not for him. While the world was celebrating the birth of God’s Son, he was mourning the death of his daughter.

How had this tragedy happened? Why did God allow it? When will this suffocating heaviness on my heart ease and let me breath normally?

His darling Ada’s face appeared to his tortured mind’s view. He saw her again as his curly-haired little girl with the sparkling smile that seemed to leave an ‘afterglow” behind. She’d always had such a happy, lively disposition and never lacked for friends. She delighted in learning, tackling everything from piano lessons to bicycling to mathematics with wide-open enthusiasm.

Then, the Ada of emerging young womanhood rose before his thoughts—slender, sweet, and deeply sensitive of heart. She loved her five siblings and was quite motherly to her toddler brother George, especially since the recent birth of baby Bud kept her mother extra-busy.

It was last April when Elijah became aware that 17-year-old Ada sang constantly and her countenance shone. What was the cause? Upon inquiry, Ada’s older sister Nancy hinted it might be due to that perennial spring affliction—love sickness. Elijah was amused at first, until rumor reached him that Ada had been noticed in a secluded riverside spot with a much older man. Elijah investigated and found she’d been keeping company the past few months with a sewing machine agent in his late thirties.

The confrontation scene between him, his wife, and their daughter came into view now with heart-breaking clarity. Ada stood before the fireplace twisting her fingers together, the bright light gone from her eyes, as he made his demands.

“Ada, Mother and I are aware of this romance of yours, and we strongly object. This man Phelps is too old for you! For goodness’ sake, he could be your father! We ask you to stop seeing him immediately and give back any trinkets you may have received. Will you promise this? It’s for your own good, dear girl.”

Ever obedient, Ada soberly agreed and returned the few small gifts while telling her lover that he need not visit her in future. Soon after, Mr. Phelps left for another place and didn’t stop in Onarga anymore.

Elijah convinced himself that soon all would be as it had been before this little affair of the heart began. On the surface, it appeared he was right. Ada continued going out and behaving as usual--attending church, visiting her friends, planning an out-of-town trip with Nancy to see a relative.

One evening the week before, Elijah had been in town on some business and had met Ada out shopping.

“Papa, what a surprise to see you here! I thought you were in for the night. Would you mind if I went over to the Pentecost meeting for awhile? Nannie is there, and I want to go over our plans to visit Cousin John.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll see you at home then. Keep your wrap close ‘round you as the temperature is falling fast.”

The rest of the evening’s events were pieced together later. Nancy reported Ada had left the meeting at quarter past eight. Then, a friend of Mr. Phelps had approached Ada on the street and asked to speak with her. They walked and talked for some time, until Ada noticed her mother out looking for her. She told the man she didn’t want to be seen with him, so they hurried in another direction. However, her mother had already recognized her.

It was after eleven when Ada came in, and he’d reproved her for her conduct, concluding, “I do not want it to happen again.”

Her answer was assured, “It never will.”

The family retired to bed, with Ada sleeping in a room adjoining her parents’. About one o’clock, Ada arose and told her mother, “I’m going for a drink of water.”

In a few minutes she returned to bed, but soon spoke again, “Mother, I am dying. Please dress me in the clothing I’ve laid out.”

The doctor was summoned, but the strychnine had accomplished its lethal work.

Why had she showed no outward hint of despondency? How long had she planned this? What could I have done differently?

Questions unanswered and darkness fallen, Elijah rose to reenter his sorrow-burdened home.



************
This is a true story about my Great-great grandfather Elijah and his daughter. The story title is the title of the article about her death in the paper at the time.
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This article has been read 1320 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Caitlynn Lowe
08/02/07
That's such a tragic story. She must have been really heartbroken...I'm especially curious, however, about what the friend of Mr. Phelps could've told her to drive her over the edge like that. At any rate, a tragic story, but a very well written piece that definitely fits the topic. Kept my attention all the way through.
Dianne Janak
08/02/07
Wow.. thatwas so tragic. Itis interesting to me that this story is true and passed down to you. As tragic and sad as it was ( I loved your description of her as a small child)... it is an important story to be remembered. Thanks for sharing it. It made me sad, even though the title warned me.
dub W
08/03/07
Wow. A solid story, so tragic. The descriptions were so well done and carried the story. Very sad.
Loren T. Lowery
08/03/07
My goodness, how tragic. Your writing continues to speak from the grave for your your grandfather and his grief and his obvious love. Wonderful, solid work.
Pamela Kliewer 
08/03/07
What a sad story. I wonder too what she was told that drove her to such an act. You told this well and I like how it flowed smoothly.
Lynda Schultz 
08/05/07
How very sad. You've done a great job at telling the story.
Dee Yoder
08/06/07
Really intriguing. I wish we knew what happened with her that caused such a break in her spirit. But that's part of the mystery and tragedy of your story.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
08/06/07
Your well-told story certainly fits the "sad" category. What a shame that the girl was not able to be comforted in the loss of her love by her faith.
Cathy Kane
08/09/07
Such an incredibly sad story! I remember being in love at Ada's age and feeling like my life was over when my teenage romance did not work out. My heart goes out not only to Ada, but to her parents, who surely grieved until the end of their days.

I personally believe that Jesus has the utmost sympathy and understanding for Christians like Ada who experience this type of extreme pain and despair.

You did a really wonderful job of telling this family story.
Natalie Cole
05/14/09
wow this is so sad... but so real. most people give no sign of depression or suicidal intentions. do you know why she did it? was it something the man said?