Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-02-24
alonth's Column.
FOR WHOM 1T MAY CONCERN.

W $4,000 S0-"J " o"JAnS 'h"" OnAio-
tians were often stumbling-blocks in the
way of sinners? Won't you explain it
to me?"
"He meant, | suppose, that Christians
do so many inconsistent and improper
things, and that unconverted people get
wrong idea of religion from seeing
their inconsistencies, said Rose Elton,
the eldest sister, looking up from her
book.
"Oh, yes see. And so he called
them 'stumbling-blocks' because they
keep the others out of the right way,
didn't he, sister ?" asked Maggie, after
thinking a moment.
Rose did not answer. A troubled look
came over her face, and she was evident
ly deep in thought. Presently Maggie
spoke again:
IL hope l shall never be a 'stumb-
ling block to any one. 1t would make
me feel so badly. wouldn't it you Rose
l mean to be real careful now, and think
just what l say and do"
"But you are not Christian, are you
Maggie ?" asked her cousin Harry, COM
ing in from the next room, where he had
heard the conversation.
The little girl looked at him, half
astonished, half reproachful. "Why,
Cousin Harry, of course I'm Chris
tian. Isn't every one Christian who
loves Jesus Mamma says So
''But you're not church-member,
Maggie" replied the young men. Mag
gle shook her head.
"No, not yet, Cousin Harry; but 1
hope to be when l am little older,
and meanwhile | am trying to follow
Jesus"
Harry's laughing glance grew serious
as he looked at her. Never fear little
Maggie, yow will never be stumbling
block, as you call it, in any ones way
to heaven" he said gravely.
"Oh, hope not +; it would be so dread
full" said the child, earnestly. Harry
turned to Rose.
care you going to church this even
ing, Rose ?" he said, 'for if you are l
will accompany you"
"No l think l won't 60 tonight" an
swered Rose, "The fact is, Tam afraid
it will rain, and don't want to spoil
my new hat"
"Well, then, wear your other one
that is just as pretty as the new one,
think, and 60" urged Harry. But Rose
shook her head.
"Why, Harry, how absurd p she ex
claimed "that is my old summer hat
and every one in our church knows it
too. No, would much rather stay a
home"
Harry turned away, but pausing a
the door of the room, he asked bluntly
care you not church member, Rose 2
"You know l am" was the reply
Harry whistled significantly and wen
out. Mrs. Elton, coming in ten minute
after, said in a troubled tone:
81 do wish you could induce Harry t.
60 to church occasionally, Rose. 1 dar
say he has gone to Ed. Maybie's now
and the Maybies are improbable com
panions."
And Rose tried to still her own mis-
givings, though she would not acknowl
edge her error even to herself.
The next morning Rose was entertain
ing couple of girl friends, and Harr
had just joined the trio, when one o
the visitors said 30, Rose. have yor
heard that Nelly Carroll's engagement
is broken off 2" What can the matte
be, wonder?"
Matter enough" said Rose. Ssh
has been flirting outrageously all sum
mer, and l don't wonder Mr.. Grave
was dlsenchanted. Why, she even col
responded with one man while she wa
engaged to the other, and allowed hil
to send her elegant presents"
"Did she? we'll, wouldn't have b.
lieved that of Nelly" exclaimed he
guests in one breath, but at the momer
Harry interrupted the conversation.
Begging your pardon, Rose, you al
altogether disappearing the facts j
this case," he said gravely. 81 happe
to know, and l told you recently, tn;
the young man with whom Nelly Ca
roll correspondent this summer was h,
invalid cousin, to whom she wrote wit
the kind intention of cheering his lon
. Illness at the Water Cure. AS for Il
elegant presents they were presse
! flowers for botanical cabinet she
e making. Now one thing more. M
r Graves has been obliged to 60 West, Fl
six months, which delays his marriaG
somewhat, but he has not the least i'd,
of breaking his engagement. and 1 a
= quite sure Nelly is equally devoted
him. Rose had flushed and paled |
turns as her cousin spoke. but she CO
cealcd her annoyance and morti6catiC
sufficiently to make some gay reply. al
= 80 babe farewell to her friends.
But when they were gone she turn,