The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-01-14

o. the afternoon of a fine summers
day, Miss Peckham donned her walk
ing wraps for the purpose Of visiting
her friend, Miss Martin. They were
tso fair spins.en Of thirty five and
forty, and were always On hand to
hear any bit Of gossip that might es-
cape an unguarded mouth, and in re-
peaiing it we're very apt to forget just
what they had heard at first.
A month or six weeks previous to
the opening Of my tale. new minister
had arrived in the neighhorhood to
take charge Of the little flock. He
was . tall. commanding individual,
apparently come thirty-6ve or forty
years Of age. A short time after his
arrival he was followed by an elderly
lady, his hou-ekeeper. who immedi.
ately busted herself in cleaning up the
old parsonage,
While this was going on. the parson
had taken up his ahde with mmi-
ly by the name of Smith, who lived
near by. 1t 60 happened that Mr..
Smith had daughter by the name Of
Fanny; and as there we're prayer
meetings, sociables. and q great many
other entertainments, and the parson
was not much acquainted. Fanny gen.
ally accompanied him.
Miss Peckham Immediately asked
~ friend how she liked the new min-
ter.
"Oh, I think he Is just splendid!
id Miss Martin. "Wasn't that q
mart sermon he preached last San
Jayi"
"Yes, it was excellent" replied
Miss Peckl,am. But did you notice
how Miss Hamilton kept her eyes on
him all the timef How she did LOOK.
with her hat pushed hack 70 far on
her head! And it wasn't nothing but
. mans hat pressed over. anyway. !
a . the parson didn't think she had
much manners."
"Well. I just tell you what it is,
Nellie Peckham; she hain't got much
manners nor sense neither. go the par.
con thought the truth about her. But
there's some he don't think the truth
about. I'm afraid" continued Miss
Martin. nodding her hood in know
ing way, land that is that fiirt Of q
Fannie Smith. He's been going with
her ever since he has been here; don't
you know he has!"
"Yes," answered Miss Peckham.
IL have seen them together at every
meeting. and. in fact. everywhere the
parson goes she Is with him. Now ]
will tell you something" she contin'
ued, "that Mrs. Clark told me; but
dont't you tell any one, because she
told me not TO. Mr.. Smith is afraid
she will marry that young fellow by
the name of Pratt. and SO he has made
up his mind TO marry her to the par
son; and she said that she heard thai
they were engaged. Only think oft
Only been acquainted month or so
and are engaged! A precious it'll
Ounce he has chosen for future com
panion!"
II think So" said Miss Martin
"and its such a pity, too. for him Il
throw away the remaining part Of hi
Life for such a worthless creature a
sbs u! Don't you think SOY"
"Yes," answered Nellie. "Wh.
didt he choose some one nearer hi
own age-ons Who oould sympathis
with him in his trials and temptation
Of this worll-instead of that wild
headed girl Why. she has hardl
put on long dresses yet! Let me see
she Was only seventeen when she cam
home from boarJing-school. and y,
know that was early this spring
Ouly to think Of her marrying hin
Why, she wouldn't take care Of b
clothes or the house either! Andthe
she wears all sorts Of false hummer.
and Mrs. Clark said she heard thu
she painted, too. But you must o'
mention this. as she didn't aim for
10 get out. lis lots Of good the pa
sor could do preaching to peopl
about their sins and have his own vii
tending dances. playing fsst tnnes .
the piano. and painting hsrsslf up !
he style abe doss''
Saying this. the indignant Mis-
petnsn vipsd the PsrsPirstioo irou