Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1871-12-01

IN such limpid stream. He forgot
what was on his plate, aud betook
nimself to dish OF cheese. which he
consumed without knowing it. The
pickels would have shared the same
fate had not the Widow dexteriously
'loved them out of the way, and put
'omethihg more digestIb!e in their
! ,lace.
When the parson went home that
/! light, his heart was somehow full
# gIadness. He reflected upon what
an excellent thing IL soft voice la
woman" and IL was not until he
had blown out his candle aud got
into bed that he remembered that he
had broken his engagement with
Sister Spangler. The neat morning
Minerva Spangler, who had called
at Mrs. Walcott's to collect her sub
-cription to the Mite Society, discov
cred tn ministers cane, which he
had left in the corner OF the Widows
parlor. Th are was q chivalric vein
under the parsons plain exterior,
and his early memories made bond
of intimacy between him and the
Widow Walcott, which he fully
recognized. He could defend aud
D otect her now. He learned his
way easily into the Widows cottage,
and came to know her store of books
almost as familiarly rs his own +; but
It'll the general parish visiting did
not thrive much better than 1t ever
had done. He went and came, quite
unconscious of the clamor of tongues
in the gossip's houses. But Widow
Walcott's heart was troubled. She
had seen enough of the simplicity
and goodness of the man to learn To
revere him; but her eyes were clear,
and saw that storm WAS brewing.
So the weeks of summer slipped
away, and autumn came, aud made
the maple before Widow Walcott's
To flame like the burning bush. -
Parson Bruce was well aware by this
time that party in his church was
stirring up strife. 1t was whispered
about that his usefulness I'm Skittle-
ton was at an end. Sister Spangler
was in favor of calling Elder Rick
etts, the great rcvivsiist, who would
certainly make IL too hot for sinners.
The very morning of the day had
come when a church meeting was to
be held which would decide the min.
i.ter's fate. Ii was sore trial to him
for there his children had been born,
his wife had died. and the deepest
and tenderest EXPERIENCES of his life
had been lived through. He rose
from his knees and opened the Bible,
with view to selecting o text for q
farewell sermon, when Sally knock.
ed mt the poor aud announced, that
Mrs. Spanglsr was below. .. b.. ii.
IL am sorry for the dissensions In
the church. Brother Bruce. !" said his
visitor, as he entered the room. -
You know how Hiram and me has
always worked and labored for you.
les fact though we don't mean to
beast. Minervy is swathed I'm tears.
I'm afraid she's going into de.
cline. There's are all sorts of stories
flying about, and q body don't know
what to believe. Folks do say you
intend to marry the Widow Walcott,
though I've kept a denying of it,
The truth Is, she amt popular
Everybody knows how conniving
widows is, and she's done all she
could To encourage the stories ! but,
IL you'd give me lsave to tell round
tkat 3ou hain't no notion Of marry
ing her, IL would smooth things off. -
The abstraction all went out of the
minister's face, aud something like q
flash of Indignation tinged its sallow.
ness. Mop said he, controlling
himself with an effort. III it can be
shawn that have been an unfaith-
ful steward. or have failed to break
the bread of life for the people, I am
ready to go: but cannot give the
pledge you ask. II would be sin
against this sacred inner self, where
the stranger meddleth not"
Mrs. Spangler went away but
she stopped u moment ut the kitchen
door to speak To Sally Reynolds. =
$50, II seems you're going to have q
new mistress. Sally said she. "The
FL a, good as told me that he
mea to marry the Widow Wal.
cott. Youth have to mind your rs
and Q's then. Sally"
There's no fear but shall like
anybody my master brings into this
house," replied Sally, snappishly,
scrubbing away ut the kitchen. table,
that was already as white as milk
But, IL he'd brought some folks
that was always ready to break their
necks to get here. I'd have cleared
out At minutes notics.n
The air was soft aud hazy that day
an the flying gold Of the stress made
bright path between his house and
the widows cottage, which seemed to
WOO the minister's feet. He took
down his favorite books, but he
could not read then he went out for
a long walk through the fields and
when he came back 1t was evening,
and there was CLINT of light in the
cottage window. So he stepped tn
the door aud knocked. Mrs. Wal.
colt with lamp In her hand came to
The d"eI and opened IL. aH
"Mary," said he, and his voice
was treinulous' II have come to ask
you to be my wife. I think he, my
early friend, would be glad IL he
could know. MY boys will welcome
your child as sister and. IL your
heart inclines toward me, Mary,
| shall be very happy. Whatever
happens"
The widow placed her hand In lais
and although no kiss passed between
them, the bond was sealed.
A little later. the minister was sit
ting home In his room, when Dea-
con Elders loud ahem was heard
on the step.
Brother Brucs.'' said he. as be
entered. "I've just dropped In,
though 1t is late. to tell you about
the meeting"
"Don't try TO spare my feelings, y