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Abraam Storms, Bainbridge, Binghamton, Birdsall, Birdsall Family, Chenango Canal, Chenango Valley, Confluence of the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers, French Courtiers, Garnsey, George Park, Greene NY, Guernsey, Henry Birdsall, Homet's Crossing, Hornby, Indian Territory, Jean Guillaume deBesse, Jericho, Loyalsock River, Madame d'Autremont, The French Asylum, The Susquehanna Turnpike, Wyalusing PA, Wysox PA
Epinetus smiled as he thought about a story that most everyone in the family knew about.
“There is a family story about the concertina man; or rather about his daughter and my father. Father would never talk about it but Uncle Henry and Aunt Polly both told me the story.”
George Parks raised his eyebrow as if to ask “What am I going to hear about now?”
Epinetus didn’t disappoint George’s expectations.
“It seems as though the concertina man had a very beautiful daughter. I was told that she had black hair and very dark eyes that gleamed like the stars. Her bright clothes matched the colors of the concertina; veils of black with highlights of red and gold. Mother of Pearl jewelry hung from her ears and about her well defined slim neck. She smiled at my father Horace several times. Finally he had enough gumption to approach her, but when he did she became agitated and ran off to their wagon.”
“He never saw her again. Uncle Henry and Aunt Polly said that whenever either of them mentioned it to my father he would mentally retreat and become silent.”
“Is that it?” asked George.
“Yes sir, Mr. Parks, – – – that is it” responded Epinetus.
Then in a rather hurt tone he continued, “Of course if it was in your family you would think a little more of the story.”
Epinetus remained quiet for a while. George cleaned his glasses, took out a pen knife and sharpened his pencil. “I have to be patient” he told himself, “otherwise I may never hear what Epinetus knows about Jean Guilliame DeBesse.”
Epinetus finally got over his hurt feelings and related the final leg of the family’s pilgrimage.
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