The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-07-17

= that particularly defined field of :abo
g We are now assembled for the purpo
:; of listening to your several reports, al
/, to act upon whatever recommendation
: may be made concerning the appropri
ton and expenditure of money"
"Mrs. President !" said ore of ii
3 ladies, "before you proceed any flu
> ther, desire to say to the ladies of tt
society that my time is so fully occupie
= by household and social duties that
find 1t absolutely necessary to sever m
connection with this excellent society
l, therefore, wish to resign my d'strit
to some lady who can devote more a
tention to the good work"
"And I, also, Mrs President, sha
be compelled to give up this Christi
work, regretfully remarked a secon
lazy. "Such incessant exposure dur
ing this severe cold weather is injuriou
to my health"
81 hope" urged Mrs. Jealous, "tha
the ladies will not withdraw from tn
society. They are both valuable mem
bers, and we need their CO. operation.
A dignified silence followed Mrs
Jealous remarks, and then the presi
dent said: "The first thing in orde
will be the reception of reports from
those ladies to whom were assigned dis
tricts at the last meeting"
Another brief period of silence en-
sued, and Mrs. Precise arose and reat
from her pearl tablets the names of hal
a dozen poor families that she ha6
visited and found to be deserving o.
aid. She asked for an order on the
society's treasurer for twenty dollars
to be expended in the purchase of food
and clothing. The appropriation was
unbesitatingly made.
Mrs. Modestone, a gentle faced lady,
who occupied a seat in the back ground,
then narrated a touching incident OF
poverty and distress which had come
under her observation the day before.
She had thought it best to relieve the
poor family's sufferings without draw
ing upon the funds of the society.
Mrs. Closefist wanted two dollars to
buy a pair OF shoes for her washer
woman's little girl, whom, she averred,
|. ,ded them very much. The appro-
piiation was made.
Mrs. Quicktemper regretted that other
imperative engagements had prevented
her from giving any attention to her
district, but the next week she hoped
to be able to devote almost entirely to
the good cause.
"Mrs. President" interposed Mrs.
Jealous, "Miss Prim and myself took
the liberty yesterday of enrroaching
upon Mrs. Quicktemper's territory, and
we found one of the most deplorable
instances of human suffering that can
be IMAGINED ;" ani the lady then pro-
ceeded to describe. in minutest detail,
tho visit of Miss Prim and herself to
the bone of little Dan.
"Did you not do ANYTHING for them ?"
anxiousIy inquired Mrs. Modestone,
after The recital was finished.
GA hem -weli-no. Nothing more
see, had no change with me, and then
I thought it would be better to bring
the case before the society,"" purused
Mrs. Jealous.
"And yet you say they were starving"
said Mrs Modestone, in tone of gentle
reproof.
Eyes. they were very destitute" an
swered Mrs. Jealous, shortly.
"I would like to inquire, Mrs. Presi
dent" said Mrs. Quicktemper, with
some show of feeling, "if Mrs. Jealous
and Miss Prim have not been assigned
to districts of their own? ?"
"They have" politely responded the
presiding officer.
"Yery well, then why dc they nc.
corfne their labors within the limits
of their respective districts ?" said Mrs.
Quicktenper, with growing asperity.
"We have canvaSsed our districts
most thoroughly" exclaimed both Mrs.
Jealous and Miss Prim in unison.
Very thoroughly, no doubt" coldly
Mrs. Qnicktemper.
81 do not understand your insinua-
tons, madam" angrily answered Mrs.
Jealous.
Don't your Well, then, to speak
plainly, wish it understood that I do
not desire any interference from you in
my district"
You have not, it appears, troubled
yourself about your district mp to the
present time, my dear Mrs. Quicktem-
per"
"I do not know as that is any of
your business. Mrs. Jealous"
Perhaps not" indignantly reptile
Mrs. Jealous, !" but when I see people
.
"Well, you didn't help them any, did
your" "A
"Then what are you talk ing about !"
MRS. Qu'cktemper, I had always |
,uOuSub you 10 Do ldUy.
81 have always known You to be a |
7ery officious person, Mrs. Jealous"
Mrs. Quicktemper you are a very |
woman"
Mrs. Jealous, you are a meddle- |
ZONE old thing. I can't bear you I"
Sc do not wish to have any further
ak with you," said Mrs Jealous, striv-
ng to keep calm. 80 -
"Nor 1 with you, madam. Saving
which Mrs. Quicktemper, with flushed |
ace and swapping eyes, changed her
eat and turned her back upon the un-
subject of her ire.
Ladies ladies pray cease this
ngry discussion" appeal the pres
dent. "You forget that our work is of
Christian character"
Mrs. Jealous apologized for her
eated language, but said that she |
ould never forgive Mrs. Quicktemper
or the insult that she had put upon I
er."
Mrs Quicktemper tartly replied that
be desired no forgiveness, and it being |
pparent to the members of the society
bat the two members could not be rec
nciled, motion was put and carried
D adjourn. Action in the case of little
Jan and his mother was deferred until
he next meeting.
1t was showing, and the clustering
'inds had piled the white drifts high il
be street. The warmly clad ladies', as
hey were drive rapidly home in their
ODE filled sleighs. forgot-All save one
the picture that Mrs. Jealous had SO
painted of poor Dan and his
ying mother in their attic home. This
ne was
~.
Put down the basket, John, and
indie fire." Mrs Quicktemper's
'oice was soft and kind, and as she
hastily scanned the old aud darkened
DOM, she shuddered to think that
human beings should be forced to dwell
n such a place
John, the coachman, used as he was
o scenes OF privation and suffering
nuttered to himself, "Py jImminy, this
place amt fit for a dog to live in J.
Ind dog, according to Johns reason
no couId live almost anvwbara