The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1859-01-20

IhOugh not IN any sense gailY dressed,
there was a style and air about her that
by no means indicated a pious disregard
Of worldly things. Taste had evidently
presided at her toilet. noticed slight
huttering through the congregation,
and the turning Of many heads toward
the minister's pew, which occupied the
most prominent place in the church,
The lady did not look around her, nor
show the slightest sign Of interest in
the people. How different in all things
was her appearance and bearing from
the good, kind, compliant Mrs Whar-
ton, whose pleasant, almost smiling face
] had seen for so many years in that
pew-a face turning, as if by instinct,
its mild sunlight ever and anon upon
the congregation, while her husband
broke for them the Bread of Lifel-
The contrast was hardly agreeable.
"Shell never dol" whispered a lady
shadow of Miss Lanes, bending to my
ear from the pew just behind the one
1 occupied. proud as Lucifer, as
any one can seel Such airs won't do
for St. Charity"
made no reply. Though annoyed,
I was sensibly Influenced by the re-
mark.
Very still, almost like statue, sat
Mrs Newton, the ministers wife, and I
could soc that the child, q little girl six
or seven years old, leaned very close to
her. How I wished that she would turn
toward the congregation How I long
ed to see her facel But 1 was not
granted this desire until after the morn
ing's services we're closed.
was particularly pleased with Mr.
Newton. His sermon, in contrast with
the usual discourses I had listened to
from the lips of Mr.. Wharton, was a
masterpiece of eloquence. No one
seemed to listen to him with more rapt
attention than Mrs. Newton.
At last the services closed, and the
time came when my restless curiosity
was to be satisfied. The minister's wife
turned her face to the congregation, and
had a view of every feature. 1t was
a face once seen to be remembered
Classic almost to severity in its outline
the full lips and soft hazel eyes gave tc
it a gentle expression. You saw at q
glance that she was a woman Of thought
as we'll as feeling.
A few ladies gathered around her as
she stepped from the pew, and l noticed
that her countenance lit up very pleas
antly as she spoke to them. But there
was nothing obsequious; no undue ia
miliarity; no wordy aFability. A GER
tain air of dignity and self-respec
marked every attitude of her person
and every expression of her cOunte
nance. All vulgar familiarity towarC
her was out of the question. 1 saw
that at a glance.
But only few ladies in the cOngrega
ton ventured to approach her. In tn,
eyes Of many she was proud, and they
were not "going to force themselves up
on her notice" The prejudice admitted
into their minds by others made then
shun rather than court her acquaintance
IOf the few who did notice her, some
were attracted by affinity, and some by
desire to gain a little reflected impor
tance. Others thought it but hospita
bic to show her attention, as a stran
ger among them, and acted accordingly
though the force-work was apparent
Desiring to meet her and make her ac
quaintance, L asked to be introduced
and was presented by a friend.
thought her reception rather cold, anC
after passing a formal word or two, NOV
ed past her to speak to an old acquain,
tance whom 1 had not met for somt
time.
Chow do you like our new minis
ter's wife?" was almost the first question
Cant say. Must know something
about her, first" answered.
'She'll not do for as" said my friend
warmly. "She's not the woman for st
Charityw
whats the defoct?" I inquired.
"Its all defectl" was the sweeping
reply. "Just look at herI pretty
thing for q minister's wife, indeed
Why, she carries herself with the ali
Of a queen!"
"Mr. Newton, said 1, "is a charming
speaker. 1 never heard a more beauti
full sermon"
ooh, Mr.. Newton is splendidp re
piled my acquaintance, warmly. "But
his wifel Oh, dearl it's dreadful
What could have possessed him marry
such a woman She'll never suit us il
the World-never, never, neverl Why
I don't believe she's even a professor
She didn't stay to the communion on
last Sunday just think of that-anC
she the minister's Wifel It's been the
talk Of the congregation ever since
We fully expected her to take a class in
the Sunday school-but mol We invi
ted her to be present at our sewing-cir
ole-but mol she couldn't leave hel
ohildren A mere excuse, of coursel-
Then we elected her President of our In
dian Missionary Society; but she de
clined the honor, saying that she haC
neither time nor taste for such publ,
duties; that with her charity for tn,
present must begin at home. Now
isn't that a Christian spirit for your
IOur minister's wife TO talk Of charity
beginning at homel Why she's
lheathenl"
My church acquaintance Waxed warm
"Some Of our people we're cage
enough TO get rid of dear, good Mrs
Wharton" she added "She WASH
bright and fashionable enough for them
but 1 rather think they've got their dos
Inowp