The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-04-10

SUI lOuScu lOt lItou oil auu quiCe SoOhSo, {,
and doubtless she would have. found all
the happiness she sought in this rural
retreat, ret ,s !, ! had Rgs tas ss292e sf@
= !! ! :! : :
little place 1he had purchased was now
called. -~---s>-~--~~~>S-~--.~
A curl of the lip and shrug of the
shoulders was all the reply made by Mrs.
Wood but in the gesture Mrs. Graves
saw, or supposed she saw, a sufficient
reason for stunning the acquaintance of
the stranger.
Mrs. Graves, who was very jealous
and suspicious, translated the language
in her own way.
81 have no doubt" she said to her
husband, "that she had bad reputation
in the city. She has come here dressed
in deep mourning, but who knows
whether she ever had husband or not ?
And if she had, her wearing black is 70
sign he's dead, in my opinion"
The next day quite crowd had gath
cred in the store Of Mr.. Graves, waiting
for the arrival Of the mail, which was
due about this time.
The stranger came in to make some
trifing purchase and was stared at by
the people, as strangers always are in
small villages.
/ After she left the store some remarks
were made about her lady.like appear
ance.
ayes, she appears enough like lady,
said Mr.. Graves, shut my wife thinks
her reputation is none the best"
| Customers entering, nothing more was
said at that time, but the fire Of scandal
was kindled-the story spread rapidly,
each one telling 1t their own way, until
there was not person in the village but
had heard the rumor and believed it to
be true.
Days and weeks passed away, and the
inmate of Fern Dell felt that for some
reason she was looked upon with suspi.
cion and dislike.
There was no hospitality, nothing said
or done for which she could demand an
explanation.
Every day seemed to increase the
avoidance of har naiohbors; and she, no.
acipg this, ceased making oVeIrufes ~
ward an acquaintance with them, sending
to the city for her household supplies,
and never coming in contact with any
save at church, and even here she gene
rally found whole seat at her disposal.
At last the storm which had 80 long
obscured the village horizon seemed
about to burst over her head.
There were low threats made Of driv.
ling her from the place, and the mob
spirit seemed to be gathering strength.
About six months after the stranger
took possession OF the cottage, very
handsome carriage, drawn by span oi
splendid black horses, stopped in front
Of her dwelling, and fine-looking man
about sixty years Of age, with his wife
and two daughters, were seen to alight
and enter the house.
All that day and through the long
evening there were heard the sound oi
many voices, mingled with the rippling
laughter of joyous hearts.
The next day was Sunday, but this
time the stranger did not sit alone.
Strange looks aud low murmured
words ran through the congregation, ,and
j the minister seemed to share the surprise
of bis audience, and looked and preach
ed as though under painful embarrass
ment.
He recognized in the stranger cler
lgyman whose reputation was world
wide-none other than the distinguished
president of the college from which h
lhad graduated.
i The presiden. remembered his forme
pupil, but it must be confessed that b
was both surprised and disappointed.
He had given the young man credi
: for individual talent, but the sermon wa
mere repetition of poor platitudes, ant
' trucking to produce public opinion
which showed weak and little mind.
After the service was over the presi
dent waited a moment until the youn!
man came forward, and when the greet
ings were over be said kindly: ---~-~>-
"My sister wrote me that Robert MAJ
!; :; q g. j -
young manz ~ ot 10 heang Sc
that the woman with whom you entere
church is your sister ??
!. Sand why not2'
1t was the presidents turn to look al
tonished.
Sure enough, why not?
What did be know against the woma
whom all had been speaking euil of fc
= the last half yearp
"There is something about this matte
that / can't understand" said the pres
dent. "You do not mean to say that m
sister has been, resident Of the villag
and listened to your preaching for s.
months, without your calling upon her
The duties of minister are surely be
ter defined"
"But did not darer' and the poo
man stammered and stopped.
r "Did not dare to call on my sister, ii
widow of Col. Kimball ?" and the tin!
of contempt was mingled with look
surprise and indignation as he confer
i. plated the abashed and crestfallen your
3. preacher.
After reaching his sisters residence
y. questioned her in regard to the matte
; but she could only tell him that since b
residence in the place she had been 81
alone" in the fullest acceptance of t
term.
- Determined to understand the why al
wherefore of such proceeding,h he aga
, demanded an explanation of the YOU
n pastor, who was finally compelled to a
" " nit that he had supposed, from the &c
~ ~ sip OF the church members, that the "
man was very outcast from society,al
l.I. Al 4 L IL u ,,,,, i.