The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-03-20

knowledge and sound judgement Will rend
! It easy for him to point out ut once the d
test object for their benevolcnoe." 'g.
Rolling his tongue in tho peculiar mar
ner he was wont to do when pleased,
"thanked the President for her complimen
and would only say, that he considsrsd tt
ladies present fully competent to decid
their own case" -
| ado you not think" asked Mrs. Robin
son, "that We should take care Of the poe
among us, before We send our charitlt
abroad?' l'" -'. ~,
!" Not always" replied Mr.. Flint; "ther
Is much danger in helping our poor neigh
bors, lest wc learn them tn depend on vi
insesd Of trying to help themselves" 81
"rbat's just what slid." chimed in Mr..
Wormwood "lolks haine any business I
bs poor here, where they can get work :"
.'Work Us plsnty, 70 be sure, !" said Mi,
Priscilla Pasc, with significant glance a
tho speaker; "pity the pay wasn't plenty
too"
al would beg tho ladies' attention to tn
subject und,r discussion remarked th
chair; Mr.. Flint ln.s not given US his opin
ion, which hop, he will do freely" ,..
"As you have called up;n me quito un
rxpcctedIy, ladies. to advise you in thi
matter said Mr.. Flint, rising very dclibcr
stely, "it would bo natural for to men
ton tho subjsct winch, just at this time. in
tcrests mc must. Our society-and Say
it withou. boastins-!ias become one Of tn,
largest, wealthicst and most influential In
the State. II becomes us, therefore, to ,ert
u good namc abroad, by the lib,rali,y with
which We enter into th, spirit of the great
reforms Of the day. Among these reforms
none seem to me 81 important us union o
the two continents. in ore great Society fol
evanselizing tho world Such society
you know, Exists, and in its councils are
found solne Of tho greatest men Of the age,
One hundred dollars would constitute your
pastor liic-dircctor in this society, and
give you name and influence in its c,un.
ellis. | merely mention the SUBJECT for your
consideration, as We are apt to forget the
duties wo owe the world, and conilnc our
selves to a narrow circle Of bsnevolencc.
Here Mr.. Flint took his seat, with an air
Of profound humility.
"You have heard the very. excellent re.
marks of our PASTOR said the president
81 hope IL will enlarge our views of duty.
Will you take any action on the subject?
III muvc," ald Mrs. Wormwood, "thai
we contribute one hundred dollars to thi,
great object Mr.. Flint has explained to us,
to constitute him lfe.dircctor."
The motion was seconded, and carried
without any opposition save that expressed
by indignant looks and motionless hands.
"lteally, ladies'" said Mr.. Flint, again
rising, ".our liberslity is praiseworthy.-
In the name and behalf Of the noble society
you have honored by your generous vote,
tender you my sincere thanks. Your tcs,i
mOny ofrespect for myself will receive q
more public acknowledgment"
"Yes," lnuttcred Miss Priscilla, in an un.
dertonc, al spos, it will bo trumpcted all
over creation, how very benevolent We are.
while these poor folks around US are dyinC
from neglect"
'Oh. Mis- Tompkins, whispcreda young
lady, ~ am dying to know what that lcga
cy was Of Mrs. Tnornton's; do tell me now
won't you?" r..... .-... .t.
"0h yes, yes, tell us all now." said an
other, AS knot of ladies gathered around
"0h, twas nothing but just q little brass
frame, with verse from the Bible in 1t
made Of brass letters" replied Miss Tomp'
kinr, contemptuously. ...-. f.......
"Wcll that was mo,n!' .Who cvel
heard anything like it % "What impu
deucc.." "rdon't wonder he was angry!
these and many other similar expression
burst from the indignant ladies, as Mis-
TUmpkins concluded her information.
"Onc side Of u story is good till t'othcr'
told. uied Miss Priscilla, who had heart
tho whole thing; land ~ this isa bcneyo
lent society, got up ftr the benefit of on
fellow creatures, il wouldn't do no harm 4
tell the other side right hero, let it hi
where it will"
"Oh, by all means, let's have your story
Miss PrlscilI," WAS tho universal exclama
tiun, amid cries Of "orjcr" from the presi
dent
81 don't want to make no disorder" sal
she, turning to the president, .'but if they
all listen quietly, I'LL tell the story Us ! hear
1t; and may b, some Of you'll find coats I
fit; ii you do, why put them ON, that
ALL" -.
BY this timc eyes and ears wcrc all open
for Mis- Priscilla, an odd quaint little body
had way of saying things, th,t was per
fectly ir;,'i.;iblc to all but the immcdiat
subjects Of her sarcastic tongue.
"Wcll," said she, "as you all ,'cem to b
listening, | II btsin with what s,e myself
didn't get n Dolly Martins to pe,k thrc
the kcyholc Tor me, cause, YOU sea-, new
that comes that comes that way, has to b
made all over after 1t squcczcs thi iOush
and don't Ike mine second hand, no how
81, us Twas saying, I'll begin with what
sec; and il any on you want to know ,vha
true bcncvulcncc is, you'll find out, gu,.ss
before l get through. Well, q couple 9
months aso, I should think, Us l was con
ms home from my sister Sallys over tn
fields, | took notion to go down the lam
where old Mss Fletcher lives, who's beer
.ickly all along, YOU know, and 50 | wen