Smyrna times., 1876-11-01
The Donation Party.

vi course we can't give our minister
much OF salary, you know, Miss Harwood :
but we've always calkilated to get a man
whose heart wasn't set on filthy Iucre. as
the 'Postle says.
Il must own we hain't had much success.
for, would you believe it 3? out of five candi.
dates that preached here the year we built
the church not one was willin' to stav and
do the Lords work.
"Why, there's only about sixty families in
our church, and it was settled that first
winter with six dollars a family, would be
fair tax. maxim nigh onto four hundred q
year, you see; yet it's wonderful what
trouble we've had to get a pastor.
Brother Ralph thought that mebbe if
we had parsonage it would help us; so he
ana the other trustees bought that nice lit.
lie cottage where Miss Gray used to live,
with whole rod of land belongin' to it:
but, law! 'twa'n't of no use; none of 'em
stald the year out; and l was clean dis.
couraged.
"When Mr.. Ormsby came, nigh on three
years ago. he seemed more reasonable than
the rest, though he asked if we couldn't
furnish part of the parsonage for him, as
they was only new beginners, and hadn't
much housekeepin' stuff.
"Well, the ladies was so we'll pleased with
him that they took right hold of the work fbe
was to come back in fortnight) and got
lots OF things together.
There was a handsome pincushion made
for each of the bedrooms-there's three on
'em IN the house-and half dozen Tides
Tor the parlor, and case for his Shawn
paper, and all sent in the first week.
You've heerd him preach, Miss Harwood.
and you know how interestin' he was. and
what a beautiful reader and singer too.
Why, declare took real comfort goin' to
church and sittin' under such preachin'
and so we all did, I'm sure.
"But was tellin' you about what we
gave him. Well, Deacon Stiles's daughter Sal
ly madea drawin' of the church, and frannsd
1t in pine cones, to hang in Mr.. Ormsby's
study, and the deacon he sent us a cookin,
stove out of his own kitchen. He'd lust
bought new one for Mrs. Stiles, and he
come over and put it up himself, which
thought was uncommon kind.
"Ihen we took up contribution to buy
some furniture, but ready money was
skurse just then, so we only raised enough
to get pair of chiny vases and an ink. |
stand.
"But Silas Hart, that sold 'em to us, was
one OF our members, so he threw in a chiny
dog for the baby and a match box for the
parsons wife.
miss Jones and Uncle Midan sent in a
new painted bedstead and a kitchen table.
and so told Ralph I'd give 'em a couple
OF kitchen chairs and our cradle, the one
we were both rocked in. So did, and I
pieced real handsome little quilt for the
cradle, sunfower pattern, all out of spick
and span new calico too.
"Well, it's most too bad to tell. but
Mandy Jones, who went to help Miss orms.
by git to rights, told me that she did act
dreadful, and not bit bscomin' minister's
wife.
"She went all round the house lookin',
as if she was ready to cry, and at last she
sot down in the parlor on her trunk, and
began to laugh at the vases and the ink
stand, and then wound up by findin' fault
With the stove, which she said looked as if
i came out of the ark.
"I've always thought she made her hus.
band discontented, for Mr.. Ormsby was I
such meek, quiet, unselfsh man that he
never would have made any trouble if she
hadn't been always complainin and putin, I
him up to grumble.
"But I'm wanderini off from INV storv-I {
started to tell you about the donation !
party You see, the first year we got along {
plendld with it, and must say never
Jaw better tea table spread than we set {
hat night for Miss ormsby. 80
but that woman never could be satisfied, 4
md she said afterward that it wouldn't take
more than two such parties to ruin any
amily.
4 seemed she found fault because we
VI staid to tea with 'ena, jest as if we hadn't !,
right to our tea after sendin' in all the
'ictuals for il.
but ! don't know as Aunt Betsy did do
'xac'ly right for she took Miss ormsby's
preserves to put on the table, and they was .