Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-12-18

her countenance. All vulgar familiarity toward
her was out of the question: saw at a glance.
But only n few ladies in the congregation ven
tured to approach her. In the eJes of many
she was proud, and they were not "going to
force themselves upon her notice." The pre-
judice admitted into their minds by others, made
them shun rather than court her acquaintance.
OF the few who did notice her some were at
tracted by affinity, and some by desire to gain
little reflected importance. Others thought
it but hospitable to show her attentions, as a
stranger among them, and acted accordingly
though the forcc-work was apparent. Desiring
to meet her and make her acquaintance, ssked
to be introduced, and was presented by friend.
! thought her reception rather cold and after
passing formal word or two, moved pas her
to speak to an old acquaintance whom | had not
met for some time.
GLOW do you like our new minister's WHIP"
was almost the first question.
Cant say. Must know something abouther
first" ! answered.
"Shel not do for rs ~ said my friend, waun-
ly. "She's not the woman for st. Charity
whats the defect ?" inquired.
at all defect" was the sweeping reply
"Just look at herl A pretty thing for a mimi
ter's wife, indced Why, she carries herself
with the air of queen ~
MI Ne"toil' sad !, rs charming speaker
never heard Il more beautiful sermon"
ooh, Mr.. Newton is splendid" I" replied my
acquaintance warmly "I}ut his wife - Oh.
dear it's dreadful! What could have possess
ed him TO marry such woman Shell never
suit us in the world-never, never Why,
don't believe she's seven professor She didn't
stay to the communion on last Sunday Just
think of that-and she the minister's wife It's
been the talk OF the congregation ever since -
We fully expected her TO take class in the
Sunday -school-but no ]! We invited her to be
present at our sewing -circlc--but no she
couldn't leave her children. Thenwc elected
her President Of our Indian Missionary Societyi
but she declined the honor saving that she had
neither time nor taste for such pubic duties
that with her, charity. for the prcsert, must be-
gin at home Now, isn't that christian spirit
for you Our minister's wife to tax Of charity
beginning at home! Why, she's a heathen -
My church acquaintance waxed warm.
"Some of our people were eager enough to
get rid Of dear, good Mrs. Wharton" She ad-
dcd. "She wasn't bright and fashionable enough
for them but ! rather think they've got their
dose now -
| met. here and there, lady Of our church,
who belonged to the home-duty mind Your own
business class, who did not join in this hue and
CRY against Mrs. Newton who thought that, if
she had neither taste nor inclination for Sab
bath-school teaching sewing circles, or mission
AIRY societies, the congregation should not in
tcriere with these pecularities. She had three
little children. to whom she gave all mother 5
care and as the income which her husband de-
rived from the parish of st. Charity -four hum
dred q year and the parsonage would warrant
her to keep only single domestic, a large part
of her time had necessarily. to be given TO
househould duties. Nobody can say remark
ed one of these ladies, in my hearing, THAT she
neglects her children, or wastes her husbands
income. The little parsonage has never looked
." attractive inside or out as now. Mrs: Whar-
around her aoy wrr cHmerse e a. S2ss and seye
And as for her children they were always neg.
lected. Many times have | seen them PLAYING
in the dirt while their mother was at the sew.
! ing-circle, or somewhere else that she had nc
business to be-
But the ladies who talked in this way belong
ed to the "queer' ones OF the congregations
They were not of the pious kind. SO all the,
said wen; for nothing with the many.
Without "yariahloness or shadow Of turning,
as st. Paul says, did Mrs Newton keep on hel
way. Home was her parish, and she was con
tent TO do her duty there. Occasionally she ac
ccpted an invitation to take tea aad spend al
evening abroad; but in most cases declined
anu lllOupn tl
three months had passed there had yet been nc
tea-drinking at the parsonage Mr.. Newton
on the one hand, mingled very freely with hi,
congregation-sat with them at their tables, ant
joined them in their social gatherings Ofcours,
the absence of Mrs Newton on these occasions
always formed n subject OF remark and it was
generally voted that her failure to accompan,
her husband seriously marred the pleasure o
the evening.
"Ah, if his wife were only like him -
This was invariably the signing ejaculation o
Miss Phcbe Lane, or some one of her party.
At last the matter assumed so serious a shape
in the minds of certain leading ladies in tht
parish, that it was determined to waitupon Mrs
Nowton and romnnstrate with her on the cours,
of conduct she was pursuing-"a course of con
duct" urged Miss Lane, that is working untolt
injury in our church. Ever since she came her,
a change for the worse has been going on in thu
congregation. Members are growing cold o.
indifferent. Our sewing circles are losing thei
interest, the monthly concerts of prayer arr
badly attended, and the Sabbath schools dwind
ling away. The social sphere, always so warn
and attractive under the genial influence of gooC
Mrs. Wharton, is fast losing power-and al
from this strange conduct on the part of oul
minister's wife. She must be talked to on thu
subject If she dosent know her duty, sht
must he taught it. If she won't hear her hus
band, she must hear the congregation.
A committee of ladies-Miss Lane at the heat
of them, and voluntary systematically un
dertook to set Mrs Newton right in regard tc
her duties to the parish of St. Charity, and form
ally waited upon her for that purpose. Curios
ty prompted me to accept an offered member
ship in that committee. Let me picture the in
teryiew with Mrs. Newton.
} We found her sitting in her orderly ARRANGED
: little parlor, her person as neat as everything
around her, and her three children as sweet anC
pure as May blossoms. Two were playing oi
the foor and the babe slept in the cradle, tina
was drawn so close to the mother that she coult
touch the rocker with her foot She was sew
ing on shirt for her husband. Four ladies
made up the committee-a formidable number
Mr.. Newton was away, attending the funeral o
t poor aborer's child-so the coast was clear
and the culprit in our power
With an easy grace the minister's wife re
ceived us, and after we were all seated she step
| ped to the door and spoke to her girl, who wa
in the kitchen A smart, tidy-looking domes
| tic came forward, and Mrs. Newton said to he
J with kindness of manner that could not he'll
, noticing.
"rake Aggy and George into the garden, Jane
and keep them till | call you"
'rLn fr;rl sow, oh baar