The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-04-11
A Day at the Parsonage.

The frugal breakfast was over, and
the wife was composing her children
and her still beautiful face for the
mornings devotion, when sharp ring
was heard at the street door, and a
coarse, rough looking man entered.
Morning, SIR" was the friendly sa-
luton, "I come to see if you'd go to
Sim Crawford's funeral-its this after
noon."
"Where did he live sir ?" civilly in
quired the clergyman. " | think have
not known the person.
Likely-for he never went to meet
ing; he lives out on the Gore, it's bet
ter than two miles. But will you come
to the funeral at o'clock.
eyes, will try to be there in time,"
answered Mr. Morris.
"My dear" said his wife, looking
anxiously at her husband, "you ought
not to go SO far this chilly day. with
your cold, and you must not think of
walking"
"I must 60 Mary and l fear l must
walk, for l dare not look my bill at the
livery stable in the face. But, my
children, we will be quiet now, and
Clara dear, you may read"
Scarcely had the last petition of the
good man died away, before another
ring at the door bell startled the little
flock, and green shawl and orange
scarf made their appearance simultan-
eously with their owner, Mrs. Crump,
who was thin sharp visaged person,
with keen black eyes, which seemed
always to know if a-eap or collar were
on the least awry; and everybody knew
that the thinnest fabric or the shiest
spider never escaped her vigilance.
Mrs. Crump was accompanied by
her friend Mrs. Drake, who had such
a severe sclf-righteous expression in her
face, that always felt in her presence,
in spite of my better judgment, that
Mrs. Drake was sitting near very un-
worthy person. Her eyes seemed all
the time to be saying, 81 must and will
do my duty, however painful it may
be-" and for that matter her lips never
uuarrelled with her neighbors.
Poor Mrs. Morris looked anxiously
at the undusted chairs and tables Miss
Crump looked with her two twinkling
ewes at Mrs. Morris, and at the same
time seemed to be scanning every piece
of furniture in the room.
Mrs Drake looked with awful gravi-
ty at her victim for some time, and
then she opened those solemn lips and
said that she had called that morning
on very important business. She was
very sorry, but her duty however pain
full, must be performed. She thought
it proper that Mr.. Morris should be
present as it concerned him vitality.
Mr.. Morris, who had gone to his
study, was summoned from his untinish-
ed page to attend the vitality important
matter.
Mrs. Drake looked at Mrs. Crump
and Mrs. Crump twinkled at Mrs.
Drake, and that lady commenced.
81 regret extremely that am called
here on an unpleasant errand, but you
know my dear friend that my duty
however painful, must be performed
and this is matter which affects the
church deeply, feel that it would be
wrong to keep it silent any longer"
Mrs. Crump's eyes twinkled now till
they seemed like two tiny sparks OF
fire. Mrs. brakes severity increased
as she proceeded:
cit is reported, Mr.. and Mrs. Nor.
ris, in this village, that you keep in
your house pack Of cards, and that
you are both in the habit of spending
whole evenings with your children in
playing cards. This is practicing very
different from what you preach, Mr.
Morris and the influence upon oul
younger children must be awful"
"Mrs. Drake" said Mr.. Morris, +"
am surprised that any one knowing me
should have believed the story for one
moment. Will you tell me who your
linformer WASP"