Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-12-25

he mos, chilling thing that 1 ever listened

~ - ilIH3 Y.,HtfoIu at lhuuI =. III ss.i.isiIt
And her rude, unmannerly boys,' added
Mrs. futile. As bad as my own, every bit
OF 1t. Nobody knows what trial she must
have had ' ~
= should think you could judge dutifally
suggested her eldest born sgad M .s4ss,
But the aside was lost, as both Of the elder
ladies Vll rushed forward to welcome Mrs, ,Skimp-
ion, who was announced jnst at that moment.
The new arrival was Informed that IL she was
just the person wanted pa her visit would save
call in - Place > now she would decide
at once who should be invited from ST. Paul's.
Mrs. Iuttle was always glad TO welcome her,
but particularly SO just then.' --.- ...
Mrs. Skimpton was to take charge of the
refreshment table. For fairs immemorial this
had been Mrs. Skimpton's post. Her eternal
vigilance had saved many an exlravagant
waste, in the shape of heaped-up plates and
cream at discretion. She could make change
to half cent; always furnished the hams from
Mr.. Skimptons own grocer, at cost price -
therefore, no one ever thought of questioning
her nndoubted right to SO important an ap-
pointment. s-s H.f sTL- '. '' -'.-51a
And then Mrs. Stone was reverted to; and
Mrs. Skimpton, whose chamber overlooked Dr.
Stones study windows, gave testimony that
they were the most devoted people she had ev-
er known ; and she, in particular, had such
pleasing way of asking advice. 1t was She
Mrs. Skimpton-who had suggested damask
Venetian pattern for the stair carpet, and blinds
instead of curtains. Curtains were always
in the way somehow -....s
'Of neishbors, certainly added Miss Angel
lea, innocently. s,y.,. .-.y .,,... ...... .
So much depends on rector's wife p said
Mrs. Skimpton. Fir. .... i.s..r .-.-gs Il.
Yes, indeed, responded Miss Little. q. -
She ought to be-well-in some degree,
amiable, | may say added Mrs. Tuule.-
And willing to be advised, remarked Mrs.
Skimpton. -a- H.eH'ssai -4a , '-
Not too old, or too dowdy,' said Miss An
gelica, with glance at her own stylish dress
i"S S""h IL" 'iO oPPoSitO mlliol'
Now, Mrs. Stone is all this continued
Mrs. Skimpton; and I, for one, have taken
her by the hand. shall suggest that she puts
an oil cloth, instead of carpet, upon the din
ing-room foor.' '...r ..,- .'[ -
/ wonder if she has a soprano, and who
was her teacher. She will appreciate the
choir so entirely. Poor Mrs. Naylor never did
To think of saying she preferred Old Hun
dred' to The Hymn from Zampa!' Miss An
gelica was musical.
Fortunate Mrs Stone As this was the re-
cePtion among strangers she had so much
dreaded. Every tongue was loud in her praise.
Visiters poured in from every circle in the
congregation. The second Saturday evening,
she was obliged to empty the two card-baskets
for the third time. The calls already amonnt-
ed to two hundred Many motherly lady
had resolved, with Mrs. Skimpton, to take
her by the hand Miss Angelica was not the
only young person who intended to patronize
her. She had already been solicited to Join
eleven charitable associations, and had been
elected manager of the Union Benevo-
lent
1t is fact, which many congregations nev-
er take into account, that a minister's wife, in
common with the humblest parishoner, may
have individual preferences, founded on her
taste and cultivation, or the associations to
which she has been accustomed Moreover, she
finds no more time in the twenty -four hours
neither is she in any degree exempt from the
inirmities of our nature, in the shape of colds
toothache, or neuralgia. A call from fash
ionable congregation does not provide an infal.
lible housekeeper, warranted not to procure
and manage good servants; and tradespeople
do not become miracle of promptness in a
parsonage sooner than when surrounded BY the
atmosphere of an ordinary dwelling.
Mrs. Stones first offence was sending werd
that she was 'engaged, to some eleven O'Clock
visitors. Mrs. Skimpton wayfaid them at q
preliminary meeting of the Dorcas fair, anc
informed them Mrs. Stone was all the while
only standing in the Doctors study, talking as
unconcernedly as possible. Mrs. Clarke, wht
happened to be among the minor families, and
of course, very tenacious of her position il
church society, considered it direct and posi-
tive insult. Miss Allen, who had accompanied
her, curled her lips with the remark that, ii
they had only been carriage people, they't
have seen where the engagement wasn Bott
ladies Immediately became bitter and open op
ponents of the numerous party ever sounding
the praises of the rector's wife, and the story
with alterations and additions, was told at ev
cry subsequent gathering, thus bearing tha
leaven of uncharitableness against which tn.
beloved apostle SO eloquently warns his 'lttls
Children There is, unfortunately, culmi.
nation to all popularity, and the decade soor
commences The magnificent Victoria Regi;
is the noblest of all blossoms, but day finish.
es its short-lived glory, though hundreds flock
to see and to admire.
Mrs. Stone wondered, in gentle humility
when the sound of her husbands praises anC
her own was echoed in her ear by, her new ac
quaintances and friends; and her HUSBAND
wrote most eloquent and fervent discourse
upon Christian fellowship. 1t was the out
pouring ofa full and grateful heart; no one
could doubt it, as they looked into his beamiue
face. The choir sang the well-known chant
Behold how good and how pleasant thing i
is for brethren to dwell together in unity /