Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-28
(oor tinusd from hrst psge.l

Is he not sacrificing bis talents, his health,
life itself. to these wretched miners9 Why
his salary was less than he could earn as
shop clerk Susy Macintyre's eyes
filled with tears as she looked at him. II
she could only give over TO him the six
thousand dollars which Uncle Bob left her
for the service of the Lord Suppose be
never asked her TO marry him What
did 1t matter for herr He would be hap
py. She sobbed a little behind her lace
veil.
Let us'consider, now" said the doc
tor. "the fundamental doctrine OF adOp-
tion."
When he was on this safe ground the
congregation relaxed; the sexton threw
fresh wood in the stove the elders nod
ded; their wives summed up the coming
Jobs of soap-boiling or candle making, or
thoughtiully lived over again the mild
dissipation of Wednesday last, when the
Mite Society met at Mrs. Judge Macin-
tyres. Her canned oysters (trIed) were
certainly unapproachable. So was the
hostess. for that matter. Nothing but the
fact that she was d Macintyre could justify
such pride in church member. She had
snubbed Mr.. Knapp, pointedy; it was
quite clear she did not approve of the
match for Susan. When he missed B-ssy
Corbitt, she had told him: Miss Corbilt
comes to nv house as a seamstress, not
as guest. She is not in society"
1t never had occurred before to them or
to anybody to think OF Bessy as seam
stress. She had always been a parsonage
child as she was, in the village, which
their own daughters were not. They
glanced askance now to the Pew under
the window where she sat in her damp
water proof and faded felt hat. Elizabeth
really ought not to expect to be in society.
Mrs. Macintyre was right.
Young Mr.. Knapp in the pulpit, frown-
ing over his folded arms and crossed legs,
was apparently following the doctors ar
gument. But he was busy with another
argument which racks the brain OF every
hot-blooded, affecionate young fellow,
he layman, preacher or priest.
How could he bring her INTO his life 2
He glanced iurtively now and then
down into The church. There were Susy's
damp blue eyes always turned pensively
up TO his, aud the rosy plumes waving
about the baby face. The young man
shrugged his broad shoulders. Her blue
eyes and soft checks, and yielding laughs
and yielding signs, affected him with IA
smothering sense of flabbiness and dis
comfort. "A woman ought TO be some
thing else than a warm poulice!" he said
10 himself, angrily.
His furtive chances passed over her to
the pew by the window where sat an
erect little figure in patehed;waterprooi,
knot OF cherry. colored ribbon at her
throat. Elizabeth was looking out, watch
ing the snow beat against the window
WHAT wonderful courage and youth was
in the chid's face Whenever she led
the hymn, too. he noticed with what spirit
the people followed; the old women
seemed TO grow happier AS they sang. 1t
was not the sweetness of her voice that
moved them, but the youth And joy in it
would not be quiet. What it is to be
youngH they would say as they shut their
hymn books aud looked at her.
The longer John Knapp looked at her,
the more he felt what it was to be Young
If they two could go out hand 10 hand in
to the world-go out to-day--ieave these
miserable complications 10 Coketown and
Limsburgh behind them How he could
work for her-the soft palm in his. the
eager face making light about him. He
moved uneasily in the pulpit. The doc
tor clinching his argument, little guessed
what hot fervors thrilled the young broth
er beside him.
But what folly 1t was Knapp's strong
mother wit was always ready 10 throw wet
chils on his fervors. He knew the facts of
the case. Ii he married and took his wife
out into the world, he could earn enough
at any kind of work to live like other men ;
but he had resoutely, two years ago, given
himself TO work for God among the miners :;
and he believed he had already been of
use. He would not draw back FROM it
No, not even Tor Elizabeth. Knapp was
by no means the ideal priest. lie was
like other young fellows, used TO be IL
good judge OF wine, was good Judge
OF cigars still, liked his own way, and was
sharp enough in proving his own way to
be right. But God had been an actual
power in his life When he gave up his
college plans to work COR Him. he had
been sincere, al sincere as now in his love
for Elizabeth.
Out OF his salary he barely paid his
board at the Coketown tavern, where he
ate at the table with the coal-diggers, and
slept iD a bare closet 8 by 10. In two
years he had not been able 10 buy himself
new coat. Sometimes the b Jard did not
pay his salary Tor months. aud then he
was no better off then pauper living on
the charity OF the tavern-keeper. How
could be clothe and teed Elizabeth and her
mother on nothing? Absolutely nothing I!
Facts were facts.
If he threw up his work he could marry
in a month.
But no, he would not throw it up! Tie
doctor was finishing the services with IA
fluent suppication for the heather, and
the Jews, etc. John did not hear word.
His head was buried in his hands. God
help me! !" he said, He would make this
saci ifice now. and it should be for life
No more walks with Elizabeth down
through the gorge, where they had talked
or kept silent as the mood suited them
There never was anybody whose moods
kept pace with his own as did that little
girls. Thank God. she cared nothing for
him 1! 1t would cost her nothing if he
never came near her again. And he new
err would At that. Mr.. Knapp looked
down on her with a sudden il-temper
breaking in on his high passion of resolve.
The congregation was dismissed Some
friends stopped Elizabeth in the aisle.
What right had she To be so light hearted ?
Her face sparkled when she spoke. She