The Worthington advance., 1879-02-13
n. Polly, for such work and study as

eral rule, very much onderpalo III 'n's
country.
II shall never marry clergy man."
cried Lisbeth with energy. mo. Polly,
never! Ia marry dust-man first! For
dust-men get their pay, and clerermen
don't, and"-
: Liabeth stopped short, scarlet and con- !
fused, in this rhapsody of hers, for, chanc-
ing t0 glance up, she beheld in the door
way tall and soletn faced young man,
with an umbrella in one hand and !
travelling sachel in the other.
"We oont want anything, please"
said she, jumping an once to the conclu-
sion that she beheld book agent, or a
vender Of patent polish, or some such
ltinerant tradesman.
II beg your PARDON" said the gentle
man, apparently as much embarrassed as
was she herself; II must have mistaken
the house. I was looking for the Rev
erend Francis Fcnn!"
my good gracious! another mission |
ary," murmured Listeth, soto vocs, as
Polly stepped graciously forwsrd, say
ing:
"You are not mistaken, sir; this is the
hy.se. Please to walk into the parlor,
and I will speak to papa"
The best room OF the parsonage was
Cool and dark, with green paper shades
drawn down, a jar Of fragrant dried rose
leaves in the fireplace, AMI h0mebraid.
ed rug of parti-colored cloth laid careful
ly down before the sofa to hide the darned
spot in the carpet.
"Not that chair. please" said Polly,
colo, ing up to the roots of her hair, as
the unwary stranger advanced toward
certain corner; 1.-THE leg is broken and
we've glued it, and I'm afraid it's not
quite safe. This one is better"
While Lisbeth, hiding her face in Der
apron, murmurs to herself, ''ls there no
end to our humiliations2 Is our world
always to be full Of glue aid patches,
and mends and make-shifts2'
Elisabeth" said Polly, returning, "go
and call papa"
"It's another missionary, I'm sure, said
Lisbeth, unwittingly pulling down the
sleeves Of her brown calico dress. 'And
I know he'll stay to dinner, and he's got
a hungry glare in his eyes, and there's
nothing tor dinner but barely soup and a
cabbage. On dearr' with a grimace
which made Polly laugh in spite Of her
self, II wish the race OF missionaries was
extinct"
The country parson looked mildly up
from the second paragraph Of his
"Thlrdly," as Lisheth came ic, smelling
of wild grapes, with an aureole Of yellow
hair about her face.
"Papa,' said she, there's gentleman
in the parlor to see you, with a carpet
bag and white necktie!'
''Ah" said the clergyman. "a visitor,
I suppose. He is most welcome. But I
am Just ut present deep in the thread of u
complicated po1emic theory. Make my
compliments to the gentlemen, Lisbeth,
and beg his indulgence tor a quarter Of
an hour or so" And the parson dipped
his pen into the time stained wooden
standish, rs if he Was determined to settle
the subject at ence.
"But, papa" Lisbeth had caught at his
coat cuff to reclaim him temporarily from
the abysses of theological argument
"Yes, my dcar," looking absently at
her.
"Do you think he'll stay TO dinaers'
II shall invite him, my dear, most
a:suredlv.'
Lisheth's couDtenance fell. "But.
papa,' faltered she, "thcre's nothing but
barley soup,''
We will serve it with good old
fashioned sauce of welcome, my DEAR
said the Reverend Mr.. Fem, with grave,
sweet smile, land l doubt not it will
suffice"
Lisbeth tiounced out of the room with a
| GoSr, Sn11 1v,k
breath. "Papa's an angel" said she to
herself, "but angels never were adapted
to get along in this work-a-day world .
She put her golden head into the parlor
door for al instant. "Papa is very busy
with his Thirdly" said she, with a
rougish twinkle in the deep hazel eyes,
land he begs you'll be good enough to
wait until he's through"
The stranger bowed, and looked more
embarrassed than ever, a. he answe red
"Oh, certainly, certainly. am in nc
haste whatever"
And Lisbeth went back to her sister.
polly" said she, "what will we do
Company to dinner, and nothing to give
them"
"But we must have something" said
Polly. "Put ON your things, Lisbeth
Go out ana buy fowl, and quart oi
potatoes, and loaf of bread. And stol
at Mr.. Dakin's for an ounce of hi. best
tea and quarter of pound of butter"
Lisbeth opened her eyes very wide al
this extravagant order.
; sob, you reckless Polly' said she
and where are all the funds to come
from2"
Polly sighed softly. II shall have tc
!; take the dried. cherry money" ssid she
''that was saving for my fall hat and
gloves. But it isn't much matter.
dare say can manage very we'll with the
old ones for little while longer"
''It's shame!" cried Llsbeth, We
. hemently. "And to think how you toileG
! all those hot summer days to pick and
dry those ox-hearts."
"There's no help for it. DEAR" sale
, Polly, gently. ''Get your hat on quick
} there's no time to lose.''
! .Bnt it isn't fair protested Lisbetb
8 "Why should all the travelling preacher:
e and book agents and mission collec
t tors come here and eat us out of house
and home2 Why don't they go 10 Mr.
! Crocus?"
Folly smiled. because Mr.. Cr0cu!
i dosn't make them welcome, and paps
. does," said she.
: lido WONDER" cried Lisbeth, impetu
ously, IF there is any other race of men
imposed upon as country ministers are
Mark my words, Polly, I never, never
. will marry a.
: But by this time Polly had tied on he1
l sisters straw flat. and twisted muslin
!, scarf across her shoulders
"Do make haste, DEAR" said she, in &C
;, cents of gentle entreaty, as she pointed
3 upward to the clock.
9 Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed
+ when Lisbeth came flying back, will
! yellow tresses streaming behind, ant
d mar ket- basket in her hand.
g "There, Polly" cried she in the clea,
+ light, voice of girlhood, as she deposited