Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-03

after all, as everything always is when We
love God"
AS they came in sight Of the house just
then, they saw a wagon at their front gate,
and q man taking bundle and band-box
from it, walked up the yard and rang the
bell at their door. Paul and Ruthie
quickenod their steps and saw, as they
drew nearer, that it was the express
wagon.
Arriving at the door just as the man was
ringing the bell the third time, he delivered
the bundle and band-box to Paul, saying as
he did 80
"For Rev. Paul Rogers, by express, from
Boston, prepaid"
"All right" said Paul, wonderingly,
"that means me, surely" and with their
curiosity greatly excited, Paul and Ruthie
hastened into the sitting-room, and without
waiting to SIT down, they proceeded to undo
the package, Ruthie gave little shrek
Of delight, as she shook out the shining
folds Of beautiful dove-coored poplin
dress, with its dainty basque, and neatly
but modestly trimmed overskirt, and as she
did 10, notc fell to the floor, which Paul
picked up and read as follows
DEAR BRornrR AND SISTER II have done the best
could for you, and hope You will Ike my selec-
tion. took much pleasure In making II graiu
tSusy. ~ sSss acee Ra,s.s
little present 10 the shape Of hat and pair Of gloves
TO match your dress from your loving sister 49,,
"Oh!" said Ruthio, as Paul opened the
bandbox and poised on his finger the beau
tifu little hat with ribbon to match the
dress, and such lovely sprays Of blue forget
me.nots, Isn't it pretty2 I'm afraid l
shall be too proud How good Mary isl!
How good God is! 1t did all happen for
the best, didn't it, that you thought the let
ter was lost But how do you suppose
il reached her? Some one must have
picked it up and mailed it didn't they,
think ?"
81 don't know" said Paul, slowly, and
looking very happy; C. think the hand Of
God was in it, Instead Of being left with
only few cents to pay our travelling ex-
penses, we have a well.6lled purse, and |
shall be able to give moro literally to the
Mission and Educational Societies than
have for some time But ought we not to
return the money the people gave us when
they thought we had met with loss ?"
"Of course we must tell the Deacon and
poor Mr. Bean Immediately to relieve them
from sense of blame in the matter"
We will, Ruthe, certainly. | will
mention it tomorrow morning after service,
and offer to refund the money | am
heartily glad that the letter has been heard
from, not only on account of our gain by it,
but some have sort of hinted that Mr.. Bean
kept it, though | think no one really be-
lieved it Of the poor old man. He felt
badly enough about it"
ooh, that was too bad % said Ruthe
" / am going to tell Mr. Bean and the Dea-
con want them to mail all my letters, they
have such good come out"
Paul smiled, and said
That is right, darling, carry comfort tc
the poor old hearts they never meant US
aught but good"
The next morning, after service, Pau
stated the safe arrival of the letter, thanked
the people very tenderly for their loving
gift, offering to return it, as the circum
stances under which it was given haC
changed.
Then the good old Deacon much relieved
with a smiling countenance looking in th'
direction Of" Brother Bean rose, hemmed
cougEed two or three times, as he Away
did befo,v making speech in public, an'
replied
81 am only one, but know speak th
minds Of the people when | say, I'd rathe
give twice as much as we have given, thai
take back one cent; and, brethren, mo
tion we raise our minister's salary to fiv'
hundred dollars, instead of what we hav'
been pretending to pay and haven't. l
isn't Just tho thing to do such business oil
the Sabbath, but reckon the Lord will b,
pleased with it any way, if it is done to
day. And moreover, that if we don't pay
up as we ought to, that Mr.. Rogers will re
mind US Of it by not preaching any Longer
than we pay well. | guess he wouldn'
have to stop more than one Sabbath. Al
in favor Of this motion will RISE
In an instant every person in the hous
rose.
"Tis vote, cried the Deacon, and will
a smiling face Mr.. Rogers passed down tn
aisle, shaking hands with all whom he met
while loving eyes followed; and joininI
Ruthie after Sabbath-school, they walke'
home, feeling very thankful in their heart
to the Great Giver Of all good for His mer
eies and wonderful kindness. Paul an
Ruthie went to the convention, and ther
was no drawback to the pleasure they ex
perionccd in meeting their neighbors i
the ministry.
Paul stayed at Linden another year, the
went to larger sphere Of usefulness, an
this time no thought of the remuneration
be was to receive Influenced him but hi
desire to do good. For the little society Q
Linden had never failed, since the loss @
the letter, in their good resolutions, an
when Paul and Ruthie left them, they lei
many fearful eyes and sorrowful hearts b,
hind while blessings and loving prayer
followed them wherever they went.
= And so Paul was called, from time
time, to come up higher, until he stood Q
, one Of the most able and useful servants /
, the Christian ministy in the country; an
Ruthie's proud parents were pleased
5 speak of him as "My son, the Rev. Pal
5 Rogers, d. D." But never did Paul an
! Ruthie love their people more than ii
! little flock with whom they first labored.