The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1874-05-21

s'''' hNe' ~ SbN iiA'hNt VIA iobb.
When she entered the church Nor.
ton was preaching. Her long sun
bonnet was a sufficient disguise, and
she sat upon the back seat listening
to the voice whose music was once all
her own. Morton was preaching on
self-aenlal. and he made some allu-
sions to his own trials when he be
came Christian which deeply touch
ed the audience. but which moved
none SO much as Patty.
The congregation was dismissed but
the members remained TO class, which
was always led 10y the preacher when
he was present. Most OF the members
sat near the pulpit, but when the out
siders' had gone Patty sat lonesome
ly on the back seat, with large space
between her and the rest. Morton
asked each one to speak. eNhoriing
each in turn. At last, when all the
rest had spoken. he walked back to
where Patty sat. with her face hidden
IN her bonnet, and thus addressed
her:
My strange sister, will YOU tell US
how II IS with You today DO Won
feel that YOU have an interest in the
| Savior
Very earnestly, simply, and with a
tinge Of melancholy Patty spoke.
| There was that III her superior diction
and III her lelcacv OF expression that
won upon the listeners,so that, as she
ceased. the brethren and sisters utter
cd cordial elaculalions of The Lord
| bless our strange sister, and SO on. 49,
But Morton? From the first word he
was thrilled with the familiar sound
of the voice. 1t could not be Patty,
for why should Patty be in .Ienkii $
Vile. And above all. why should She
he in class meeting. OF her convcr-
sion he had not heard Blu, thought
it seemed to him impossible that it
could be Patty, there was vet "A some
thing III voice and manner, and choice
Of words that had almost overcome
him; and though he was noted for the
freshness of the couns,ls that he gave
in class meeting. he was so embar-
ras sd BY the SENSE of having known
the speaker, that he could not think
Of anything to say. lie fell hopeless
ly iuto that trite eNhortation with
which the old leaders were wont to
cover their inanity.
Sister, he said, you know the way
walk in H.
| Then The brethren and sisters sang
20 brethren will you NEE. me
. Cauaan's happy shore"'
And the meeting was dismissed.
The members thought themselves
bound to speak To the strange sister.
She evaded their kindly questions rs
they each shook hands with her, only
answering that she wished to speak
with Brother Goodwin. The preach
er was esger and curious to converse
with her. but one OF the old brethren
had button -holed him to complain
that Bro,h her Hawkins had tended ;
barbecue the week before, and h,
thong ght that he hal ought tobe 'reao
ou il he didn't make confession
Wi.en the old brother had finished
his complaint and had left the church
Morton was glad to see the strange
sister lingering at the door Ie Of
iered his hand aud said:
4 stranger here, | suppose
Not quite stranger. Morton.
Patty, is this ,on,' Norton cx-
claimed
Patty fol her para was pleased and
silent.
Are you Methodist. them
j am.
Add what brought, youio Jenhens
ville: he said, great y agltated.
To save your life. am glad | can
make YOU some amend for the way
treated you the last time ! saw you.
To save my life. How
i came to tell you that if you 90
to Salt Fork this afternoon, you will
be killed on the way.
How do you know
You must not ask questions. ! car,
not tell you anything more.
4 am afraid, Patty you have belev-
ed somebody who wanted to scarce
me
Patty here remembered the mystrr-
inus piece of paper which Plnkey had
given her She handed it to Morton,
saying:
i don't know what is in this, but
/ the person who sent it the message
said that YOU would understand
Mort II opened the paper, and star
ted. Where is ht?' he asked.
You must not ask questions, said
Patty. smiling family.
And you rode all the way from His
sawathre to tell me-
Not at all When | joined the
church, father pulled the latch-string
in. am teaching school at Hickory
Ridge
Come, Patty, you must have some
dinner Morton led her horse to the
house of one of the members, intoduc-
ed her as All old schoolmatc, who had
brought him an important warming
and asked that she receive some din
ner.
He then asked Patty to let him &c
back with her or send an escort, both
OF which she firml Y refused. lie left
the house, and in minute sat on his
Dolly before the gate. At sight OF
Dolly, Patty could have wept. lie
called her to the gate.
If you won't let me go with you
must 90 to Salt Fork. These mer
must understand that | am not afraid
] shall ride ten miles farther round
and they will never know | did it
Dolly can do it, though. How shall
thank you for risking your life for me
Patty, if ] can ever serve you let mt
know, and III die for you. | woulc
rather die for you than not
'Thanl< you, Morton. You are mar
lied, ! hear
Not married, bu. am to be mar
ried.' He spoke half bitterly, bu
Patty was too busy suppressing he
own emotion to observe his tone.
1 hope you'll be happy She ha'
determined to say so much.
Patty, | tell YOU ! am wretched