South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-06-13
"Of Such is the Kingdom of
Heaven"
I Z n o r o o N.

friends and our enemies, wherever we are,
aud take up our abode in a strange place,
there to make new friends apd-oh il
seems inevitable-Dew enemies. | did not
intend to marry a miuister-that was years
ago-but when the opportunity offered, love
had wrought such changes in my hardened
heart would not for worlds have become
united to any other. 81, as it was to be,
married minister, aud-a minister mar.
ried me. No doubt you have all read elab-
crate descriptions OF what the wife of such
parsonage has TO endure, and time was
wien | might have contributed my testi-
mouy 10 this direction, aud have given my
experience outside of the classroom but
| was young, and have undergone change
since then, and besides my lines have fall
len in very pleasant places. So, as it is,
have only TO say that some of these accounts
are very, very true, while others are en-
tirely false and that, in the main, I be-
lieve these unhealthy recitals are the brain
product Of persons far removed from min
listers and their respective families.
We came to II month ago. The
house in which we are living is new built
in the latest style of architecture fitted
with all tue uloutIu improvements, aOO
furnished throug hour in the most com plete
manner. 10 our itinerancy we have not
been accustomed to anything so grand, aud
DO not feel at all at home in al these fine
surroundings, though the people are social,
kind and considerate. learned last night
little fact which l am going to tell you
The peoples choice of a minister lay be.
tween two individuals, Mr. B and NY
husband. They were not unanimous IN
their vote until Just before conference, but
were about equally divided. Shal / tell
you what united them in our favor? can
only do it with fearful eyes and dn aching
heart II was the simple fact, that 10 our
household there were no little hedglugs ~
litter up this grand place no little lingeIs
n mar tho paint aud the paper, 20 scatter
tiny crumbs over be handsome carpet. no
iittlr boys to slide down the polished ban.
ais'crs and to play cars with the heavy,
stuffed chairs; no little girls to dance on
the sofa springs and draw hicroglyphics 90
the door steps. 'OIly himself aud wife,
said the committee, in council, swhereas
the other brother has four chill 'reu, with
light mi-chievous hands and forty uBruly
GIgers to make havoc in this building :;
eight noisy feet TO shufll through these
rooms sill the day, and eight restless eyes
on the constant lookout for fresh employ
men, and new diversions This statement
was sufficient. In body they declared it
would never, never do, and with one accord
they voted for Frank, my husband, and for
me- his wife, 'his only eucum hrauce' This
Is why We two are living in this great, large
Ill NJ -,,L
mother, sister, aud four children, is station.
ed at E, in a cottage not much larger
than a goodsized dry-goods box, and about
rs bare of comforts. | iaucied shadow
crcpt over Franks face last eVening, as
inrnsively told him what had heard,
aud all day long be has been so silent and
so subdued; and yet bis Sunday sermon is
all copied there are no sick to visit; he
has money, and the church is prospcriug
spiIi;u lily. lie must be thinking of what
/ am, though he avoids my iuquiring CLAN.
ces and voucbsafes no communicating upon
the subject. And what have | done
to-day | have gone about the house as
one demcnted | have sbvered at the dfea-
ry order of things ! have shut my eyes to
this glazing, uDpoetical white paint, that
never knew the soil Of little sticky bands !;
aud, as the great hall echoed my footsteps,
have glanced scornfully upon the high
walls, so ignorant of the music that little
feet can make. Going to the parlor this
afternoon, | disarTanged the curtains |
placed the chairs awry tossed books up.
on the floor, and laid broken cookie on
the sill. This done, the door-bsll rang
aud, frightened, | locked the door and rush
ed out. 10 was one of the hard hearted
committee, aud my head grew dizzy aud
my heart rebcllious as / extended ny hand
and asked bin intO--tbe dining-room -
lie didn't secm 10 notice anything, poor
man, not even my cool demeanor. His liz.
tie girl was sick, perhaps dying was the
minister IN Z end would be come right a.
way Frank is so good hearted; he 10
terpreted my somewhat trum plant express
Sion Immediately, and looked at me so re-
proachiully IS he drove away. TWAS wick
ed know, but just for a moment felt
Moud Ike TO have that man experience
how destitute house may be that lacks
httIc child, and TO feel little Of the lone.
llness that steals over one who sits for
hours quite alone IN a Stiffness unbrokeu
Oh 10 an uncomfortable quiet
Frank has not yet returned. / am rest
less Tonight, and my heart is full Of long
logs unsatls6sd. 10 the year that has pass
"a 4 nrver extended my arms that could
not feel the weight Of little body tbs, u.
ea 20 creep therein but to.night-and in
;iis hateful house-that dear femembrs nee
has LETT me, aud nv arms seem utterly
empty. an, when Frank returns III beg
him 20 take me back 20 that parish by the