The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-08-13
THE. MINISTER'S WIFE.
BY ELLA RODMAN.

BY ELLA RODMAN.
The Rev. Sydney Saybrook preached
his first sermon to an admiring congre-
cation. The people of l. were as
tonished; old men dwelt with delight on
the excellent home-truths introduced, as
it were, amid bed of fowers-young
men admired the eloquence and frank
bearing of the speaker and young
ladies, ah that was the thing. They, dis
daining the matter-offact admiration of
the rougher sex, looked forward into
futurity, and, as the young minister was
reported free of membranes, they
thought of putting an end to his season
of bliss by providing him with one as
soon as possible.
they would not have acknowledged it
for the world, and yet many Of the
brains pertaining to those attentive faces
were busily at work within the pretty
parsonage, altering, remodelling, arrang-
ing things to their own particular tastes.
One would have that rose-vine taken
away-it obscured the view; another
would not only leave the rose, but would
add a honeysuckle, too-it looked pretty
and romantic; while a third had re-
carpeted the stairs to the last fight by
the time Mr.. Saybrook arrived at thir-
teenthly."
Milly Ellsworth was very pretty girl,
and, therefore, what might perhaps have
been vanity in one more plain, was with
her only pleasant consciousness of her
own charms; as, in apparent forgetful-
ness of the saying that it takes two to
make a bargain, she exclaimed:
81 Ihave made up my mind to captivate
Mr.. Saybrook--it must be so beautiful to
be minister's wife,"
The last remark was intended as q sort
of compliment to their visitor, who en-
loved that enviable distinction, but Mrs.
S. merely smiled as Milly's earnest face
was raised toward her.
"Only think of it," continued the
young enthusiast.
"I do think of it," replied Mrs. S.,
quietly; "but the thought to me brings
UP some scenes that are anything but
agreeable. If can not tell tales that
would freeze your very BLOOD / can re-
late some that would freeze little OF
that enthusiasm. A minister's wife
You little know what is comprised in
that title"
"Of course" replied Milly, with de-
mure face, "it Isl station of great respon-
sibility, and has its peculiar duties. A
minister's wife, too, is sort of pattern
and should be Add in short, just the
thing"
Exactly" returned Mrs. S., smiling
at this very satisfactory explanation
"but for pattern read mirror re-
Election of evcrybody's own particular
ideas; in which, of course, no two agree
But let me hear your ideas on the sub
iect, NIilly; l wish to know what you
"Why," continued Milly, warming
with her subject, "her dress, in the first
place, should be scrupulously plain--not
an article of jewelry--a simple straw hat
perhaps, tied down with single ribbon
---and a white dress, with no ornament
but natural flowers"
every good" said Mrs. S., "as far as
it goes; but the beauty of this very
simple straw hat is, of course, to con.
sist in its shape and style, and country
villages are not proverbial for taste in
this respect. 1t would never do for 9
minister's wife to spend her time in
searching for tasty bonnet, and with 8
too, she is obliged to encourage the man
ufactures of the town where she resides
If you could have seen some of the hats
Ihad to wear
Milly shuddered; she could have borne
reverses of fortune, could even have
stood at the stake unhinchingly, sup
ported by the glories of martyrdom; but
an unbecoming bonnet is one of those
petty trials for which one gains no credit
but that of bad taste. lEyn
"As to the white Dress" continued Mrs
S., "you must intend it to be made o
some material from which dirt will glanc,
harmlessly off on one side. Or perhaps
you have one already---a legacy from on,
of those everlastingly white-robed hero
ines in the old novels. Those mus
assuredly have been spectre woods tina
they wandered in, for in oar day
brambles and underwood leave thei
marks. Twas obliged to give up whit
dresses"
Milly looked thoughtful.
"Oh, WELL" said she, after a shor
pause, dress is very little, after all
should like the idea of being a minister
wife; you are so looked up TO by the con
gregation; and then they bring yo'
presents and think so much of you"
"Yes," replied Mrs. s., "there is some
thing in that; / had seven thimble
given to me once"
"Well, that must have been pleasant
am sure"
at would have done very well ha,
they not expected me to use the Who'll
seven ut once. Don't look so frightened
Milly--I don't mean in literal sense
but was certainly expected to accom-
plish as much work as would have KEEP
the seven well employed. This, witt
my household affairs, was somewhat i'm
possible"
Milly sighed; she was not fond O
work, and had vague visions of meals o
fruit and milk, ). and interminable seam
accomplishing themselves with neatnes
and dispatch.
"Now that you look rather NOR
rational" said Mrs. S., with a smile, I"
will give you n little Of my own ex
perience, that you may not walk int
these responsibilities with your eyes hal
shut. as | did, My ideas upon the sui
ject Of minister's wives were very muc
like your own, and when / left m