The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1873-03-06

was of no possible use. 1t could not
keep her warm. She did not need it,
for she was not bald. 1t was Just there
to look pretty-NIrs. Goreout's highest
aim and constant endeayor, although
she hypocritically pretended to care
about better things.
" Now" " thought Miss Nettire, "if she
knew III angel as looking at her, /
wonder ii she wouldn't wish herself in
plain gray dress instead of that ruilled
wrapper, and whether she would try to
tuck her hair behind her ears or not %
But Mrs. Goreout evidently had no
suspicion Of the angel. She sat COM
plNcent in her iniquitous gown, smiling
as she dropped humps of sugar into her
cousin Sues coffee, and talking in a
pleasant voice. ....
"Grieyous things are said against
me? What are they, Sue ?"
She smiled, and coined n word on the
spot -
"Nettires.
"Oh!" Mrs. Goreouts white fore
head had contracted a little.
You are member of the church, and
yet, Miss Nettire says, you are absent
half the time from the prayer-meetings,
and from the Mothers Flannel society
assemblies; and more than that, she
don't see, for her part, how you can
come ilouncing to the communion and
prayers in silk and velvet. She should
think you would be afraid"
Mrs. Goreout sighed, and looked
down for moment, and then flushed u
briget smile at Susan.
Foolish to care, is it not? ] won't
care 1t is true, I was not at the
prayel-meeting last Wednesday, But
there was reason foy it. Ola Lisba's
complaint is Just now SO bad that she
keeps her bed. | could send her what
she needs butyou know there are plenty
to attend the prayer-mceting, and there
arc not plenty who will bathe Lisbas
poor limbs, and brush her hair and
talk her into happier humor She
told me once that for years her heart
was rs hand It's Il stone, because she
thought that God had made one world
for the rich and another for the poor,
and that the rich threw aims to her, and
such as her, as they would to dog, to
keep them from being too troublesome
But when ladies who were rich and
happy and fortunate left their grand
houses to sit down with her in her
smoky room, and talk TO her about her
troubles, and waited on her with their
own hands for Jesus sake, then in1ecd
she did believe there was a Jesus, and
that Christians did love one another.
Now, Sue, | would never dare to stay
away when she needed me, after chat.
Think of the harm ] might do any one
already so sore at heart.
Miss Nettirc WINGED. She felt the
gaze of the angel fixed ON her with II
look OF solemn inquiry.
And about the Flannel Society, y
continued Mrs. Goreout II was absent
from that, too. 1t was the only day in
the week on hich could take old Mrs.
Bathersby and Miss Slmcox to drive,
and they have grown to count so on that
weekly ride They have 50 little
pleasure and though they pinch and
save every cent just to live, they are so
proud, it is the only thing I dare offer
them. They like the change, and they
like, too have the carriage draw up in
front of their door. Their poor poverty
hunted souls shake Of their bondage,
and you can feel that Il pleasant sense of
ease and Importance is warming them
Through every fiber, as they chat with
me and lean back on the cushions in an
elegant manner. 1t is pure selli5hness,
| suppose, on my part. These are good
women, and if the cup of cold water is
not to be forgotten, ! suppose even such
a trihe as this will bring its blessing" 3"
"And the silk and velvit?" queried
Susan. "lf meat makes my brother to
offend, ! will cat no meat while the
world stands, you know. And your
dress does offend Miss Nettire."
eyes, ! know but how if eating no
meat would offend weaker brother yet
more?' said Mrs. Goreout, gravely
81 like to look nice, and yet l do SUP
pose | should have no right to iri p Miss
Nettire with my fashions if it were not
for Frank. He declares that my good
spirits and tasteful dress are the best
arguments he has ever heard in favor of
religion; and that he can have confidence
in piety that does not consist chiefly
i'll lScetlclsm, but does everything aS to
God, cven rejoicing and looking lovely,
Miss Nottire does not need me as much
as Frank. Her conversion is not at
stake, while my Influence over Frank
depends very much on such trivial
matters. But I know what | can do.
/ can try to be better friends with Miss
Nettire. T fancy we have none OF us
enough of what Rosa calls love charity
lor her We think too much Of the
prickles, and not enough of the real
goodness in her character. y ED. %
Miss METRE gasped. From the
solemn, beni9nant presence near her
something like halo seemed to shine
about Mrs. Goreout. A great sob came
choking into the spinster's throat.