The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-11-24

| lIOn lnC oCCHO vi NOloHlp' IOT lWu vi
the women, their husbands had waited out
side of the meeting house, and they had
taken into their wagons two other women
who lived near them. These wagons
were already in motion when the preacher
came out, followed by the old black wo-
man, who, it now appeared, had the key Of
the meeting house door, which she lock-
ed.
Then you are the sexton, Aunty, re-
marked Mr.. Odell, with a smile.
Yes, massa, keeps de key
well, Nancy said he, who had al
ready made up his mind what he would do
I'm going home to dinner with you?
Me, massa'' Old Nancy looked as
much surprized as a startled hare.
Yes. You see they've all gone and
left me, and | feel very hungry. You'll
give me some of your dinner?
Yes, massa, please God III give you
all ofit--buI, it's only pork and hominy.'
Very good; and it will be all the sweet
er, because am welcome
Deed, massa, and you is welcome, five
hundred times over BUTT was down.
right shame for all de white folks 10 60 off
SO. never seed such people,
Never mind, Nancy, don't trouble your
self, | shall be well enough taken care of.
I'll trust YOU for that
And so Mr.. Odell mounted his horse,
and accompanied the OLD woman home
She lived rather over mile from the meet
ing house; and the way was past the COM
Portable residence Of Mr. Martin. The lat
ter did not feel altogether satisfied with
himselfa as he rode home. He was not cer-
tain that the preacher had steyed at sister
Russel's on the night before. He might
have ridden over from $, since NOR
ming. This suggestion caused him to feel
rather more uneasy in mind for if this
were the case, it was doubtful whether, af-
ter class was over, there was any one who
could or would invite him home.
what kind of man is the new preach
er 2 asked Mrs. Martin of her husband,o ,on
his return from meeting.
He seemed to be a very good sort of
man. replied Martin, indiAerently.
IS he young, or old ?
He's about my age, should think
Married 2
Pm sure don't know
Did you speak to him =
No; | came away after the sermon
Then you didn't stay to class p
No.
Sister Russel was not there p
No; she's sick
80 | heard. The preacher didn't stay
at her house last night
How do you know 2
Mrs. Williams called in while you were
away. She had just been to sister Rus
sells.
And the new preacher didn't stay at her
house last nightF
No. Mrs. Williams asked particular
ly.'
He must have ridden over from $,
this morning, I'm most sorry didn't
wait, and ask him to come and stay with
u.s.
d wish you had. Sister Russell is too
sick to have him at her house,if he should
90 there. Who stayed to class meeting"
Not over half dozen. and they were
all women. left Bill Taylor and Harry
Chester waiting outside for their wives
They wouldn't ask him home
But it can't be helped now; and there is
no use fretting over it,
Soon after this, dinner was announced,
and the farmer sat down with his family
to table loaded with good and substantial
things. He ate and enjoyed himself
though not as highly as he would have
done, had not Thoughts of the new preach
er intruded themselves.
After dinner, Martin took comfortable
nap, which lasted about an hour lie then
went out and took little walk to himself.
While standing at the gate, which opened
from his farm to the country road a few
hundred yards from the house, a man who
lived half a mile below, came along. This
man was not member of any church ,and