Page:The Life of Mary Baker G. Eddy.djvu/57

Rh never lacked admirers. One of her suitors at this time was Dr. Daniel Patterson, an itinerant dentist practising in Tilton and the villages thereabouts. Dr. Patterson was large, handsome, and genial. He wore a full beard, dressed in a frock coat and silk hat, and was popular among his patrons. Although he was industrious enough at his business and made a living sufficient for himself, he was not a genius at money-making, and he was not inclined to exert himself much more than was necessary. From his first acquaintance with Mrs. Glover he was determined to marry her. Conscientious Mark Baker, when he heard of Dr. Patterson's intention, visited the dentist and told him of Mary's ill-health and nervous afflictions, but interference only strengthened the doctor's determination, and on June 21, 1853, the wedding took place at Mark Baker's house, although Dr. Patterson was obliged to carry his bride downstairs from her room for the ceremony, and back again when it was over. Mrs. Glover had been very ill and weak that spring and was not yet recovered. After her marriage she spent the days of her convalescence in Tilton with her husband, and then they went to Franklin, a neighbouring village where Dr. Patterson was practising. But Mrs. Patterson's invalidism, from being intermittent, soon became a settled condition. She sent for her cradle while they were living in Franklin, and the older residents still recall the day that Patterson drove into town with a large waggon containing his wife's cradle. From Franklin they went, in a short time, to North Groton, where the Cheneys and young George Glover were living. North Groton, in the southern fringe of the White Mountains,