Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-02-22

with emotion.
Can it be WE'LL murmured the wick.
ed parson, TO people paradise with
souls like these?'
II seemed as il a gulf widened be-
tween hun and his people day by day,
and soon he should not even be able TO
stretch his hand To them.
In the meantime. however, Mrs.
Beatty went about the house with 3
smile of genuine JOY upon her face.
Mrs. Beverly had limited that they
would probably raise seventv-hvc dol
lars for the Christmas gift, and the lit
tie woman's imagination exaggerated
this sum Of money into a fortune. and
teyelled in the abundance iu store for
them.
Oh. if she could only have the spe nd.
ing of the money herself-she knew so
well what they most needed! But Of
/ course this was out of the question
begears could not be choosers and
Mrs. Beatty went joyfullv back to her
sumptous visions-rolls of flannel,
| pieces of linen, warm colored IN rinos
odorous coffee, aromatic tea, the whit
est OF sugar; jars of jelly; pickles,
hams anu sausages jackets for John
ny needle-work for baby, doll-baby
for Nell; perhaps, oh. perhaps, a
m'lsty Old book for sampson /; all these
and more passed through her brain,
and the brown eyes frightened. the
lips shaped themselves into = smile. as
chceriIy she rocked her baby 10 sleep
on that cold December morning.
When night came, and the children
were sound asleep in their little bed,
and baby lay in his wooden cradle, the
Reverend Sampson stole into his wife's
room, and took an casy-chair by the
fire. Such was often his custom and
| at these times there was look OF rest
| and JOY IN his face chat betokened we'll
for the power Of that gentle woman
over the gaunt, hard.featured man
For hours and hours they TALKED togr.h-
er. and it was plain to be seen that
these hours were the happiest Of the
poor gentleman's life.
Did she then listen wide awake and
attcntlvely 10 the cxpounding OF the
Eplstes of the Apostles: Aud did the
brown eyes ill with tears and the lips
quIver with emotion when the eloquent
points OF the sermon reached her ear
ami her heart. Well, no. The Rev.
Sampson never yentured upon theology
| with his wife, nor even read 70 her ex-
tract. fran, bf
Il think. little woman, said the Rev.
sampson, that you have spent at lcas:
three times that scveuty-liyc dollars in
youAimayiuation.'
Oh. no, dear replied his wife for
Ms. Beverly can get things SO cheap.
l"u cant imagine how she beats peo-
pie down. Then. you know they a.
waHs sell things cheaper 10 minister.
The poor wretches are considered
worthy oojcc Of charity said the min
lstcr, bitterly.
Now Sampson said his wife, feel
ing quite brave In ner own little sane
tuin 1t Is queer TO me that you folks
always preaching charity, don't take 10
It klndiler, aud npI bint it down TO all
sorts of rules and forms. am sure
they always show me respect enough.
One woula think were 4 princess.
And SO you are, darling, princess
"A pearl among women
You don't think taey'd get \ sew
ing -machine:' said the princess irrele-
vanity.
4 don't give them credit for such a
wise generosity, said her husband.
No, no. said Mrs. Beatty, hastily,
1T would be a shame to swallow up all
the money with one thing
| We'll, what would be nice, Lucy Z
said the parson, with generous encour-
agement.
Then she commenced enumerating
such quantity OF delicious pr0babili-
ties that the Rev. SIMPSONS face
lighted up with smile that deepened
and grew broader till it actually culm-
mated in q laugh-a startling thing
f,om the lips Of Rev. Sampson.
And we'll get q pony and a COW,
and nice set Of fAndaHgoes for the
parlor windows, and o brand-new silk
dress for little mother he said.
Yes, one Of these days, please God,
said his wife, nothing daunted. Il
should not wonder bit if they gave you
. suit OF broad-cloth too
The minister's lace flushed wrathfully
i don't think they'c venture upon
that indignity,' he said with an implied
threat in his voice.
Mrs. Beatty looked upon her husband Z
threadbare Coat and saw its darned
wristbands with wistful expression o
countenAnce, but, warned in time, she
changed the subject speedily.
So it came about, that under the mag.
ic influence Of his wife, even this Christ
mas charity was looked upon with favor
by the minister, and he caught himself
once in while enjoying the surprise in
store for his wife and little ones. He
endeavOred to give the people credit for
tho kindly motive that impelled them tC
the deed, only he could not help wish
ing it had taken the shape Of large
salary, so that he could have been his
own patron.
One morning, meeting Mrs. Beverly
with the obnoxious subscriptions paper
in her hand, he smiled family, and Gu
deavored 10 appear ignorant.
You must not peep into our little
secrets.' said Mrs. Beverly, pisyfully
thrusting the paper into her muf.
Certainly not, dear madam, said th.
minister frigidly.
OF course you'll know all in good
iime,' she said, significantly.
4 shall wait cheerfully, curiosity be-
ing main-spring of evil, said the Rev
erend Sampson, passing on with ,
frightened color.
Gracious goodness!' murmured Mrs
Beverly; what . disAgreeable ramroC
he is! He certainly never WAS made te
be q minister!' and the poor lady sighec
over the hard fate TINT compelled her to
leave her city home and her city pastor
A vision Of grace and splendor rose be
fore her; . majestic form clad In flowing
robes, eyes mild aud beaignant, wavins
ambrosial locks, hands more delicat,
and whittier than her own, voice softl,