A wonderful change had taken place in the conduct of Elias Rody.
He was most gracious--most condescending.
He kissed all the children, chatted with the mothers, and listened to
their narratives of infant ailments, husbands' delinquencies, or
household troubles.
To the surprise of many of the poorer settlers the hitherto aristocratic
governor took, or appeared to take, great interest in their affairs,
and, more wonderful still, in some instances, put his hand into his
pocket to relieve their pressing necessities.
Petty matters seemed to become deeply interesting to him, and he devoted
time and attention to their adjustment.
Through all this his temper was conciliating and amiable.
Many personal quarrels, amongst settlers, were forgotten and forgiven
through his means, whilst coolness were warmed into new friendships by
his mediation.
This was the work of some time, and the astonishment of his amiability
gave way to self censure on the part of the observers, who charged
themselves with having done him great injustice.
No churlish man would have sent down provisions for the poor, have
rebuilt Widow Jones's barn, or bought Seth Cheshire a new horse; and
what mean man would have lent money to that drunken but popular Jake
Stebbins, whose fiery nose, should Jake be abroad, was as a lighthouse
on a dark night to any belated traveller?
This was the impression that gradually got abroad about Elias Rody.