Richard Cable

Richard Cable is the keeper of a light-ship on the coast of Essex, England.[2] He is a widower, and father of a family of seven children, all girls.[2] During a storm Josephine Cornellis, a young lady of the neighbourhood, whose home is not particularly happy, is blown out to the light-ship in a small boat, and rescued by Cable.[2]

Richard, being a moralist, gives advice to Josephine, who loses her heart to him.[2] Events so shape themselves that she places herself under his guidance, and the two are married; but almost immediately Richard finds himself in a false position owing to the fact that he is not accustomed to the usages of society, and Josephine too feels mortified by her husband's mistakes.[2] A separation takes place, Richard sailing round the coast to Cornwall, and taking his mother, the children, and all his belongings.[2] Josephine repents; and as she cannot raise him to her sphere, decides to adapt herself to his.[2] She goes into service as a lady's-maid.[2] More complications ensue, and Richard, who has become a prosperous cattle-dealer, appears opportunely and takes her away from her situation.[2] While he still hates her, he desires to provide for her.[2] This she will not allow; but is anxious to regain his love, and continues to earn her living and endeavour to retrieve her great mistake.[2] Eventually, at his own request, they are remarried.[2]

According to Helen Rex Keller, "There are several other interesting characters necessary to the working out of a plot somewhat complicated in minor details, but the burden of the story is concerning ill-assorted marriages and ensuing complications, — hardness of heart, pride, malice, and all uncharitableness."[2]

• Riches, Christopher; Cox, Michael (2015). "Baring-Gould, S.". A Dictionary of Writers and their Works. Oxford University Press.

Attribution:

• Keller, Helen Rex (1917). "Richard Cable". The Reader's Digest of Books. The Library of the World's Best Literature. New York: The Macmillan Company. p. 729. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.