Eastern times., 1856-02-28
GBe storp Gtltr,
From Arthur's Home Magazine.
M Y FIRST MO N T H
PARSONAGE.
BY VIRGINIA +. TOWNSEND.

tween the mountains, not speaking often to
each other, unless it might be with our eyes,
which turned sometimes from the wild, grand,
rugged pictures that hung upon either side, to
exchange glances of sympathetic appreciation.
October had come from afar with her dyed
garments The light of day, drawing near
the end of its race, poured down into the gorge,
and Illuminated it as though great lamps we're
hung up at either end, and we were riding in
their waves of golden red light.
But farther up it flashed and famed like a
vast fire among the trees that covered the
mountain sides. These were now yellow,
wind wavered among the leaves the whole
seemed like a tri-colored Niagara rolling down
to us.
1t was one of those landscape passages and
experiences which lift up the soul from the
life valleys into the upper Gains where God
is. was very happy, very courageous then,
and my heart did not tremble, even when the
drivers loud voice called out to Bryan
W z AC d-uOot Jul " liukC uONs Sti 3
and the village opens just beyond, at the right
Do you think therell be anybody at the
house, Bryan, when we get there = asked.
He smiled. Quite likely, dozen or two,
at the least. They'll have laudable curiosi-
ty 10 see how the new parson and his bride
look and act. You do not fear the ordeal,
Bertha .
Not as much as | thought | should If |
could only get used 10 that new name, pdrs0n s
trlfe. But somehow it seems as if il will new
er ser well on me. shall only be little Ber-
tha Clarke all the days of my life. wonder
how you dare run the risk Of marrying me-
Bryan smiled his own sweet, serene smile,
and pressed the hand that somehow, when
am talking, has strange proclivity 10 hiding
itself in his.
Il do not fear for you, my wife OF the last
four days he said. Your heart is in the
right place, and so you lire ou the genileness,
the freshness, the sweetness of Bertha Clarke,
you will be such parsons wife as shall
make long happiness of all the days of my
life
tried to answer him, but the tears came
inslead.
Look, look. Bertha !. and seated on
broad, halfmoon shaped valley, the village
opened on US.
1t looked very pleasant, with its meadows
and orchards, and picturesque white houses,
and in the setting sunlight it seemed 10 wear
smile of welcome. Bnt had only time to
glance at these, when we whirled into broad
retired street, and drew up before the parson-
age.
took in its exterior at glance, while Bry-
an assisted me TO alight.
1t was very, very pleasant white cottage,
with long windows and green blinds, and two
large maple trees in front, for birds to make
nests and songs in, from April to November.
The path leading up TO the front door was
fanked with flower beds, where already pro-
jected dahlias and rose bushes for another
summer.
took Bryan's arm, and walked up quite
demurely, as | presume minister's wife
should, TO the front steps.
Curious faces were at the front door, and
others at the windows, which my embarrass-
ment magnifed into ten times their real num-
Der. Friendly hands and voices met US here,
but after this all seems like the phantasmago-
ria of dream. look back on the hour that
follou-od 4ho a0d
strange faces fit about me, and lead me into
strange rooms-all very pleasant and neatly
furnished though, and some with dim, cosy,
afier-supper kind of look, that takes my heart
captive at once. larenal ta.
They took me all over the house, and a,
last led me into the kitchen, where large
wood fire was blazing on the hearth, and send
ing its torrents Of fame-glow about the room.
In the centre stood the table, with its mounds
of biscuits, and pyramids of cake. and the
steam rolling 10 gray, vapory fold out OF the
mouth of the tea-urn.
And TO think, 7, Bertha Clarke, was mis-
tress Of all these things kept repeating it
over to myself, to be certain was not dream
ing, and looking into Brysn's calm eyes fol
the strength ] was always certain to find there
IL was not until very late evening that | found
myself all alone with him in the sitting-room
My first question was asked very eagerly
as ! seated myself on the arm of the grea
chair ! had mentally appropriated to his use
at the.hrss glance, We'll, Bryan, how have
behaved myselfr
Perfectly. perfectly, my little wife, anG
he snoothed back my curls with his loving
hands you have passed the Rubicon, an,
exceeded even my expectations.
But il is such solemn thing to be min
is,er's wife. A light that is set on hil
cannot be hid" I am SO young, so impul
sive, so thoughtless. Oh, Bryan! thes
thoughts lie heavy on my heart tonight. IF
should fail anywhere in my walk, in my ex
ample before this people,
is Place your hands in the Great Fathers
and He will lead you, Bertha, my wife, sai'
my husband, in those low, solemn tones tha
always quiet my heart. as my mothers lnllab.
did in the days when she sang by my cradle
no no< ftln - -~c.I IL ~ ,kr