Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-10-19
A NOVEL HOME MISSION.
By Amy Randolph.

"Really," said Mrs. Caxgroye, 81 don't
think bad better take It,"
'It will do no HARM" said the white |
haired old missionary, still holding out
the little mite chest, from which the elegant
ly dressed lady shrank. "lt will take bat
a lrlllng space on yonder marble topped
table, aud who knows the good II Will dof"
"Oh, yes, of course," said Mrs. Cax-
grovr isbut we have 30 few visitors who /
ars cliaritably disposed, and In our own |
family there are so many necessary out
LAYS for money"
sIn some of the houses where am ac-
,,-,aintedo persisted the old clergyman, |
There la quite fund raised by friendly |
anes levied by different members OF the |
family on each other-a penny for glove or
mi left lying around, penny for care
less or ungrammatlcal expression, and so
on-and il is very useful as well as chari-
table institution"
u dare say" said Mrs. Caxgrovei "but
in our family ii would sarcely be worth
while"
The old man smiled.
Are you then so absolutely faultless 2"
son, no, did not mean that" Mrs.
CaHgrOve answered, somewhat confused.
HOnly-"
"You will allow me TO leave and
mite chestl' said Mr.. salter, smiling,
as he placed ID on the centre of the marble
table, Just beneath n basket OF camelias,
tuberoses and other hot house plants, the
cost of which might have filled II a dozen
times over. And Mrs. Caxgrove was too
polite to object further.
"sueh nuisance !" she said to Mrs.
Jaynesford that afternoon. "As i'll want
ed TO turn collecting agent for the Mission
ary Society. But Mr.. Salter is positively
t..f 10 nf tunr1h -
81 wish he'd get his wife new silk
dress," said Mre. Jaynesford. I'm tired
OF seeing that figured poplin. Sarah had
new enc last Sunday"
s.New," cried Mrs. Caxgrove, elevating
her nose scornfully; "it is nothing on the
earth but the cinnamon brownd dyed black"
"You don't say so !" cried Mrs. Jaynes-
ford. "Did you know that Ellen Black
had an India shawlW
"Myp' interrogattd the lady Of the
house. "And her uncle failed last week -
'!some people fail very comfortably,
shifted Mrs Jaynesfjrd. "Aud Helen Barr
told me at the artists reception last Ihurs-
day
She checked herself as the dark blue vel
vet curtain, which fell over the embrasnre
Of a bay window; was lifted, and her
friends husband sauutered forth.
81 did not know you were there, stephen
said Mrs. Caxgrove, celorihg little.
$50 | concluded 20 he observed dryly.
And taking up the little mite chest, he held
1t with = smile toward the visitor.
81 have no pennies" she said, glaneing
over the contents Of her Turkey morocco
portemonaie, and slightly tossing her head
as she rose TO take leave.
sThe stingy creaturel' said Mrs. Cax-
grove, when the door was fairly closed be.
hind her. 81 don't believe any one ever
knew Myrtilla Jaynesford to give cent
In charity !"
See here, ILL.," said her husband, 81
only wish had phonoghaphic report OF
your conversation for the last hour ~
nWhy7"
"Beeause you and your friend Mrs.
Jaynesfogd were tearing the rest of the
world fearfully into tatters what does
the Bible say about the unruly member i''
!'Nonsense % said Mrs. Caxgrove, red
dening. "Myrtilla Is great gossip; but
you were quite as bad"
81 don't believe IT,"
s'Let me make a bargain my DEAR" said
Mr.. Caxgrove 81 give you a iolerably
good allowance of pinmoney per week
don't l %
'.Yes but what on earth has that to dc
with it7"
"Just this: Every time your tongue
touches a neighbor's mlsdoings, or yor
speak disparagingly of any one, you shat
put ten cent piece into the mite chest
81 would just as soon do 1t as not, " sale
Mrs. Caxgrove excitedly. "l'm sure
nevar-o
SIS IL a bargain 2"
''Yes, Of course, If it was Myrtill'
Jaynesford. now"
Mr. Caxgrove held out the mite chest
Lila bit her lip; but she dropped in th
little folded bit Of paper.
"stephen, you arc too bad To take n
up sol"
''But thought Il was bargain"
Mrs. Caxgrove swept Indignantly acros
the room. Presently she jefked the be
wire.
''susan," she said to the girl who Al
swered the summon, ''do take those sicl
ening tuberoses away. Anybody migl
know when Mrs. Lawrence has had ba
at her house, she sends the second handt
flowers round among her friends the ne,
day."
'susan,' said Mr.. Caxgrove, philos
phlcally, take that little paper box
your mistress.''
stephen cried Mrs. Caxgrove.
only"
81 know ii, my dear, ;" said her husban
''If you said so, I'll release you from Il
agreement"
81 do not want to be released, - said Mi
Caxgrove; angrily. "Accdent happens
be on your side just now.
Son the side of the Home Mission, y,
mean" said her husband. BY the wa
there's that note from Miss Dallas to
answered. Have you forgotten il Z"
"Whst shall say 20
"Aceept her invitation, / suppose"
"Oh, Stephen, would so much rath
90 10 the operai It's always so stupid
the Dallas, with old Mrs. Dallas telli
about her coughs and colds, and Jes
always full of the last sewing circle"
swell, l suppose Il isn't very lively
said Mr. Caxgrove, with a smile. "T
cents, Lii, If you please.
"Why Stephen what have said
to be sure % Aud Mrs. Caxgrove col
not help laughing. swell, it's worth
cents to have the privilege of speaking
mind. Anyway, ] shall send regrets"
They'll be an awful fb then ~ said
Caxgrove.
"Only a polite fiction. There l have
a sheet of note paper left Mrs. Capt
slbthrobe sent In and borrowed the l
yesterday and Mrs. Sibthrobe never
turns anything she borrows by any pI
bility."
"Llke the wicked woman in scriptur
said her husband. ''Ten cents, my Low
''Irs too bad ~ cried Lila, with fam
cheeks. 81 didn't mean to be taken
this way
81 only wish that Mrs. Jaynesford,
one OF ner set, would call again" said
Caxgroye roguishly. "There goes the
nowi''
II shall be on my guard said his
81 do believe it's Miss Montague
very one Of all people | most wished 10
NO IL isn't either IT'S Miss Ducey.
dear now shall be bored for a nc
half hour.