34 John Eachman. 



Then I walked down the aisle asking the necessary 

 questions of every couple, joined their hands together 

 and pronounced them ' man and wife.' I was in- 

 formed that as soon as it was known positively that 

 I was expected in Rhinebeck, these young people 

 determined to give me this pleasant surprise. Some 

 had delayed their weddings, and others hastened 

 their preparations." 



An old letter of this date has been preserved by 

 a member of the Horlbeck family. It is addressed 

 to Mr. John Horlbeck, Senr., Charleston, S. C. The 

 post-mark is Lansingburg, September 1st ; it came 

 duly to hand one month later, October 3rd; postage, 

 37J cents. 



SCHAGHTICOKE, Aug. 31st, 1815. 



" I have enjoyed good health since I left you, and 

 exposed myself so much to the heat of the sun, in 

 riding and walking through the country, that I am 

 several shades darker than I was when we parted. 



" My dear father is much better than I expected 

 to find him. He is remarkably cheerful, and did I 

 not know that his disorder is a lingering and dan- 

 gerous one, I would flatter myself that he might 

 yet be perfectly restored to health. My uncle met 

 me in Philadelphia, spent a week with us here, and 

 then returned to his residence in Rheinbeck. He 

 is one of Dr. Quitman's congregation. To-morrow 

 I leave Albany for Rhinebeck, where I expect to 

 meet the Synod. My old congregations are so anx- 

 ious for me to continue with them, that they have 

 sent petitions to the Synod, in hopes that its mem- 

 bers may prevail upon me to accept their call. But 

 I can assure you that though my native spot is dear 

 to me, yet nothing would induce me to remain. 



