wackernagel's

Updated: May 12, 2025

"Pop," said Tillie, solemnly, her face very white, "I'll always obey to you where I can where I think it's right to. But if you won't buy me the plain dress and cap, Aunty Em Wackernagel's going to. She says she never knew what happiness it was to be had in this life till she gave herself up and dressed plain and loosed herself from all worldly things. And I feel just like her."

Helen Reimensnyder Martin - Tillie, a Mennonite Maid; a Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Wackernagel's self-satisfaction did indeed cover every detail of his life from the elegant fashion of his hair to the quality of the whisky which he sold over the bar, and of which he never tired of boasting.

Helen Reimensnyder Martin - Tillie, a Mennonite Maid; a Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Two uneventful weeks passed by, during which Tillie's quiet and dutiful demeanor almost disarmed her father's threatening watchfulness of her; so that when, one Sunday afternoon, at four o'clock, she returned from a walk to her Aunty Em Wackernagel's, clad in the meek garb of the New Mennonites, his amazement at her intrepidity was even greater than his anger.

Helen Reimensnyder Martin - Tillie, a Mennonite Maid; a Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Wackernagel's whole face twinkled with amusement, and his shoulders shook with laughter as he contemplated the joke he had perpetrated "I says, 'Well, it MIGHT be Gener'l Jackson'" laughter again choked his utterance, and the stout form of Mrs. Wackernagel also was convulsed with amusement, while Amanda and Rebecca giggled appreciatively. Tillie and the doctor alone remained unaffected.

Helen Reimensnyder Martin - Tillie, a Mennonite Maid; a Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Never had old Dolly traveled so deliberately or with more frequent dead stops in the road to meditate upon her long-past youth. Mrs. Wackernagel's ineffectual slaps of the reins upon the back of the decrepit animal inspired in Tillie an inhuman longing to seize the whip and lash the feeble beast into a swift pace.

Helen Reimensnyder Martin - Tillie, a Mennonite Maid; a Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch

Wackernagel's bright, eager face of delight expressed all the sympathy and affection which Tillie craved from her, but which the Mennonite dared not utter. "Aunty Em, no matter where I go or what may befall me, I shall never forget your love and kindness. I shall remember it always, ALWAYS."

Helen Reimensnyder Martin - Tillie, a Mennonite Maid; a Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch