Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-03
seIefteo storn:
From liarper's Weekly :
Which?

# L
in through the windows of the church.
touching with gold the edges of the
/ Christmas holly that still wreathe the
/ pulpit. and forming paths Of dusty
/ brightness over the heads of the con-
gregation. There were the usual num-
her of sleepy farmers, upright and
] doing deacOns. tired children. and
/ housewives in remarkable bonnets
I there was the choir ndulging
stealthilv in peppermints that were
+ being distributed by the tenor" and
/ there was the inevitable collection of
smartly dressed youths anxious for the
conclusion of the discourse.
leannette Ross. sitting dcmurclv
hctScen her mother at the head and
her father at the foot of the family
pew. with her mite of brother, Fred
dy. at her side. had not found the ser
mon long. In the first place, she knew
that she was looking unusually pretty
in her new-trimmed winter suit sec
onlly. she was carrying on two silent
tlirtations At once, and ilirtations
realized Jeannette's idea of heaven.
There was John Palmer in the gal
lery, pretending TO listen to the ser
mon. hut in reality watching her. and
smiling behind his hvmn-book when
she looked that wav and there was
Young Mr.. Stewart. getting very earn
est in his sermon. and pointing most
emphatic sentences with an involun-
tary glance at her. Jeanette hadn't
the ghost of an idea what the sermon
was about, but she liked TO have Mr..
Stewart look at her, and so managed
to appear profoundly attentive, now
and then Selling 4 favorable oppor-
tunity to smile at the gallery.
Jeannctte's reflections were practi-
cal. In the first place. Mr.. Stewart
had been invited TO take tea with
them that night, and Jeanette was
sure he meant to propose. Every
glance she received from the pulpit
made it seem more probable. And if
he should, what then: Jeanette look
ed from the pulpit to the gallery, and
did not know. He was as handsome
As John Palmer, and he knew a great
deal more: he was 1.-THE minister" and
any girl would he proud to marry him.
and besides-she liked him. But there
was John john telegraphing to her
TO wait in the porch after service for
him 10 walk home with her. And he
has half proposed already" thought
Jeanette, distractedly, "and | really
don't know whether like him or not.
Oh dear
With thsi prospect Jeannctte was
sorry when the benediction was pro-
nounced. Nevertheless. she would
have been inconsistent enough to bc
angry if she had not seen John waiting
behind the convenient screen of
pillar. Farmer Ross stood holding
his horse while his wife and Freddy
were established on the back seat of
the sleigh. Mr.. Stewart was approach
ing, doing his best to get rid of one of
his elderly parishioners, when Jean
nette. pausing on the church steps,
remarked.
I'm going to walk. It's too pleas
ant day for riding
Nonsense :" began Mrs. Ross but
she was interrupted by the approach
of Mr.. Stewart, who apologized for
his delay, after shaking hands all
round.
Il did rny best not to keep you wait
Ing. but, you see, | failed.
"Oh. that's no account responded
Mr.. Ross. heartily. Well, Jeanette.
are you goin' to get in. or not"
II think I'd better walk said Jean
nette, wishing she had made good her
escape five minutes ago. Its such
pleasant day
$50 it is said Mr.. Stewart: con-
tinuing, Il believe | shall ask the
privilege of walking with you, if you
have no objections. l always have 4
severe headache after preaching" he
added, explanatorily.
Mrs. Rosss face grew gracious, and
Jeanette, inwardly indignant as she
saw John still waiting, was obliged to
assent and accept the minister's offered
arm. "Why couldn't he be contentod
with the evening, and leave John the
afternoon! Where was the harm in
having two beaux in one day: And
now John would be angry, of course ~
Jeanette was not agreeable during
the walk. Arrived at home. however,
she recovered her equanmity, anl
descended to supper with renewed
smiles. | leave the supper and the
conversation that enlivened it to the
imagination of the reader. After it
was finished Farmer Ross and his sol
Ben excused themselves, with primitive
politeness, on the plea Of having to 90
for the implements to be used in the
morrows campaign of cutting ice, SO
Mrs. Ross, alone. settled herself COM
fortably by the fire to entertain the
minister" who made himself agreeable
in 4 certain careless, easy way of his
own, and who looked-Jeannette de-
cided this as she set the last dish away
in the cupboard-''a almost AS hand
some as John Palmer"
When she joined the two at the fire
she found them discussing the theory
of universal salvation. "Here was a
pleasant prospect !" thought the young
lady. seating herself with toss of the
brown curls. IF John were here he'd
be likely to find other things to talk
about" But further speculation was
interrupted by knock at the door.
Jeanette opened it, and admitted a
, lsnk country youth, who became pur
pie with embarrassment as he caugh,
sight of the minister.
''Oh. Miss Ross" he began, nervous.
ly, skin YOU come over?-cos mothers
took sick, and there amt nobody te
: hum-leastways nobody but me-"
'Get me my rubbers, Jeanette" ex
! claimed Mrs. Ross. energetically.-
What's the matter with your mother !!
"Duno. Suthin like fit"
! n