The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1851-09-04
A Day mt the Parsonage.

| " lay AT tnc IdTsOuatSe'
The frugal breakfast was over, and the
wife and mother was composing her chill
dren, and her still beautiful face, for the
morning devotions, when sharp ring was
heard at the street door, and q coarse
rough looking man entered
Morning, sir, was the friendly salutation
| come to see if you'd 90 to Jim Craw-
ford's funeral-it's this afternoon.
Where did he live, sir, civilly inquired
the clergyman; l think 1 have not known
such a person.
Likely-for he never went to meeting ;
he lives out on the Gore it's better than
two miles. But will you come to the fu-
neral at two o'clock;
Yes, [ will try to be there in time, an
swered Mr.. Morris.
My dear, said the wife, looking anxious
ly at her husband, you ought not to 60 so
far this chilly day, with your cold; and
you must not think of walking.
must 60, Mary, and I fear 1 must walk ,
for l dare not look my bill at the livery
stable in the face. But my children, we
will be quiet now; and, Clara dear you
may read
Scarcely had the last petition of the
good man died away, before another ring
of the door bell startled the little flock, and
a green shaw and orange scarf made their
appearance, simultaneously with their own
er, Miss Crump, who was thin, sharp
visagcd person, with keen black eyes,
which seemed always to know if a cap or
collar were put on the least awry; and
every body knew that the thinest fabric,
or the shyest spider, never escaped her
vigilance.
Miss Crump was accompanied by her
friend Mrs. Drake, who had such severe
self righteous expression in her face, thai
| always felt in her presence, in spite Of
my better judgment, that Mrs. Drake was
sitting near very unworthy person. Hel
eyes seemed all the time to be saying, q
must and will do my duty, however pain
full it may be; > and for what matter, bel
lips never quarrelled with their neighbors
Poor Mrs. Morris looked anxiously al
the undusted chairs and tables; Miss
Crump looked with her two twinkling eyes
at Mrs. Morris, and at the same time SEEM
ed to be scanning every article of furni-
ture in the room.
Mrs. Drake looked with awful gravity
at her victim for some time, and then she
opened those solemn lips, and said that she
had called that morning on very impor-
tant business. She was very sorry, but
her duty, however painful, must be per-
formed She thought it was proper that
Mr.. Morris should be present, as it con-
cerned him ritaly.
Mr.. Morris, who had gone to his study,
was summoned from his unfinished page,
to attend to this vitality importnt matter
Mrs Drake looked at Miss Crump, and
Miss Crump twinkled at Mrs. Drake, and
that lady commenced:
l regret extremely that l am called here
on such an unpleasant errand but you
know my dear friend, that my duty, how
ever painful, must be performed; and as
this is matter which affects the church
deeply, I feel that it would be wrong in
one to keep silent longer.
Miss Crump's eyes twinkled now till
they seemed like two tiny sparks of fire.
Mrs. brakes severity increased, and she
proceeded.
1t is reported, Mr.. and Mrs. Morris, in
this village, that you keep in your house a
pack Of cards, and that you both are in the
habit of spending whole evenings, with
your children, in playing cards. This is
practicing very different from what. you
preach, Mr.. Morris, and the influence upon
our younger people will be most awful.
Mrs. Drake, said Mr.. Morris, I am sur
prised that any one knowing me, should
have believed the story for one moment
Will you tell me who your informer was
Who, said Mrs. Drake, looking very
much l am holier than thou,' l am not
at liberty to give names, but in the first
place young lady went into your parlor
in the evening, and she saw you all seated
about the centre table, playing cards. She