The Lincoln County herald., 1872-01-11
Mr.. CAxGROvE'S HOME MISSION,
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

Really" said Mrs. Caxerove, II don't
think l had better take it,"
1T will DO no har,n," said the white
haired old missionary, still holding out
the little mite chest from which the ele.
gantly dressed lady shrank. ut will
take up but triaing space on yonder
marble topped table, and who knows the
good it may doY"
ooh, yes, of course" said Mrs. Cax.
grove; but we have 90 few visitors who
are charitably disposed, and in our own
family there are so many necessary out
lets for money"
In some Of the houses whore | am
acquainted, persisted the old Clergyman,
there is quite q fund raised by friendly
fines levied by different members Of the
family on each other--a penny for gloves
or hat left lying round, a penny for a
careless or ungramatical expression, and
go on-and it is very useful as we'll as
charitable institution"
IL dare say" said Mrs Caxgrove ;
but in our family it would scarcely be
worth WHILE"
ne OIu man smiled.
"Are you then so absolutely fault.
less p
ooh, no, I did not mean that" Mrs.
Caxgrove answered, somewha con. fused
Only"
You will allow me to leave the mite
chest ?" said Mr.. Sslter, as hs placed it
on the center Of the marble table, just
beneath basket Of camellias, tuberoses
and other hot.house plants, the cost Of
which might have filled it u dozen times
over. And Mrs. Caxgrovs was too polite
to object further.
"Such q nuisance I" she said to Mrs.
Jaynesford that afternoon. "As if
wanted to turn collecting agent for the
Missionary Society. But Mr. Salter is
positively child in the ways Of the
world"
II wish he'd get his wife a new silk
Dress" said Mrs. Jaynesford. "Tm
tired of seeing that old figured poplin
Sarah had new one last Sunday"
New |" cried Mrs. Caxgrove, elevating
her nose scornfulIy; it's nothing on
earth but the cinnamon brown dyed
black |"
"You don't say sol" cried Mrs
Jaynesford. ibid you know that Ellen
Black had an India shawl2"
"No" interrogated the lady Of the
house. "And her uncle failed last
week y
Some people fail very comfortably
shifted Mrs. Jaynesford. "And Helen
Barr told me, at the artists reception last
Thursday"
She checked herself as the dark blue
velvet curtain which fell over the embras
urc of'a bay window was lifted, and he,
friends husband sauntered forth.
III did not know you we're there
Stephen" said Mrs. Caxgrove, coloriug ,
little.
$50 concluded T. he observed dryly
And, taking up the little mito chest, h'
held it with smile toward tho visitor.
81 have no pennies," she said, glanc
ing over tho contents OF her Turkey
morocco portemonnais, and slightly toss
ing her head, she rose to take leave.
"Tbe stingy creature |" said Mrs. Cax
grove, when the door was fairly close,
behind her. ~ don't believe any on
ever knew Myrtilla Jaynesford to give
cen, in charity!"
"See here, LlIl," said her husband. :"
only wish had Photographic repor
Of your conversation for the last hour |!
"Why?"
"i'ecause you and your friend Mrs
Jaynesford we're tearing the rest of tn
world fearfully 10 tattersl What doe
the Bible cay about tho 'unruly mem
bers p"
Nonsense p said Mrs. Caxgrove, red
deuing. "Myr.illa is a great gossip
but"
81 beg your pardon, Lill, but yo,
we're quite as bad"
~ don't believe it,"
Lets make bargain, my DEAR" sale
MIR. Caxgrove. IL give you tolerabl
good allowance Of pin money per week
don't II"
"Yes; but what on earth has that te
do with it2"
Just this; every time your tongu
touches . neighbor's misdoiug, or 20,
speak dlsparagingIy OF any ono, yn'
shall put a ten cent piece into the nit
chest"
81 would just as soon do it as not,
said Mrs. Caxgrove excitedly. II an
sure never"
"Is it bargain ?"
"Yes, Of course, If i. was Myrtill
Jaynesford, now"
Mr.. Caxgrove held out the mite Ches,
Lila bit her lip, but she dropped in tn
little folded bit Of paper.
Stephen, you are too bad To tax
me up SO |"
But thought it was q bargain"
Mrs. Caxgrove swept indignatly aoros
the room. Presently she jerked the bel
wire.
Susan" she said to the girl who an
swered the summons, do take those sick