The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-04-20

Christs ones, one whom the loving Je-
sus died to save.
The leading lady of the church, who
was always called by that noble, spread.
out word, "Philanthropist" t"-because ehe
was rich and cranky---said decidedly that
the girl was an object of charity, said
that something must be done for her i
Immediately everybody said something
must be done, and straw bonnet was
given, and pair of cotton gloves, and
a sewing-bee was called. The church
people had pleasant time at their "bee,'
and fine supper was provided and
few garments made, and Margaret be.
came the protege of the church. She
was given seat in far-off corner and
allowed to get what crumbs she could.
The lords work had been done, and
those who had stitched ON Margaret's
clothing hurried past her when church
was out, and of all those Christian peo-
Pile only one ever gave her kind word.
That one was Sister Chaduk, she who
had first suggested that Margaret had g
soul. She was little woman who NOV
ed quietly and dressed plainly. She had
been an English beauty in her young
days, and her face grew heavenlier every
year. Her features were perfect, her
cheeks colorless. She had great dark
eyes, and silvery hair under widows
cap, and her black straw bonnet was
trimmed in Methodist simplicity, with q
broad ribbon put smoothly over the
crown. Sister Chaduk had seen troubles
of every sort. She never told them to
any one except God. Her husband had
been drunkard and blasphemer. and
her only son had fits. She had support
ed the family by sewing, and had known
curses, and blows, and hunger. None
of these things moved her. She returned
kisses by curses, prayers for blows, and
bad shared her own food more than once
with the starving. After twenty years
dissipation Chadnk quit drinking; joined
the Methodist Church; attended every
service; was changed man. He made
monthly payments on small cottage
that had rose bush in front and cherry
trees at the side. Cody people said
that his wife's prayer had been answer
ed. The wife said nothing. The lost
roses blossomed again in her cheeks
she was teuderer than ever to the sor-
rowful, more pitiful to the erring; that
was the only change it made il her. Two
years after Chaduk's conversion there
was commotion in church one Sunday
during morning service. Men gathered
in little groups around central pew
"What is it2" passed from lip to lip. No
one ans wered. The crowd fell back. Mr..
Chaduk was lying in the aisle. His wife
held his head in her arms. There was a
gray shade on his face. She called him
"William," kissed his lips, and be was
gone.
Poverty, neglect. abuse could not
drive her from him. "Until death rs
do part" said her marriage vows.
The parting bad come. Death had done
his work tenderly, immortality dawned
hopefully, God added His peace.
A few months after her afflicted son,
who had suffered all his life, fell into a
peaceful sleep at the close of stormy
winters day. She found him with a
smile on his face, in dreem too sweet
for earthly waking.
The widow was i'll for months follow.
ing; yet she felt joy in her Affections.
Her dear ones had been taken home
painlessly; her own sickness had been
timed by Gods good providence, after
her son was at rest, not needing her
care. When she got up the needle in
her feeble fingers and paid the doctors
bill, the funeral expenses, and little by
little cancelled the balance on the cottage.
And so 1t came to pass that this sweet
and sanity woman, without family or
relatives, became before half century
had counted her years a mother in Israel,
and also q sort of scullion in the house
OF the Lord, doing the repulsive, the
thankless, the hard work, scrubbing dir.
ty bodies, cleansing from vermin, feed
ing the ravenous, and with every service
giving smile and gentle hand clasps,
instead OF tracts and dabs of hell FIRE.
She made of religion so dainty and 80
happy thing that sinners sighed for its
possession, and were LED by the beauty
OF her life to find for themselves the lu.
minous pearl of salvation.
It was this woman who waited after
church to speak to poor Margaret, who
helped her down the steps, checked her
steps to the haultering gait of the Grip.
pie as they walked along the street, and
parted with CHEEKY good-by. What
wonder that Old Margaret always lean.
ed on her cane and watched the sweet
lady as far as she could see bel, ,and then
hobbled on with lighter heart to hel
wretched home.
After while Margaret came to Sun.
day school, and took her place in the
infant class During protracted meet
ing she went up to the altar night aftel
night. Church people said she hadn'
sense enough to know what IL meant
but one night Margaret rose from hel
knees. pointed her finger upward, and in
an swe-stricken whisper said one word
"Jesns !" and walked to her seat as il
she had found what she had been seek.
ing.
"Shc was soundly converted" sister
Chaduk thought. Others said it was
enough to drive sinners away, to see
that horrid deformed servant girl get
ting up in meeting and showing off In
that kind of style. Sister Chaduk taught
the girl until she thought she was fit tc
sit at the table with the saints, and one
fair sprihg day, whom the naples were
swinging their sa.iny tassels, anG
tue lilac's fiower-cups of fragrance were
purple and full, Margaret's cane wat
heard humping along the aisle. Sht
gave her hand to the preacher: and was
received On probation in the old Wes
Charge.
For ten years Margaret attended
church, Sunday School, class regularly
put her mite in the contribution-box
| lived blameless life She was honest
truthful, kind. She never turned on th,
mocking children who dogged her steps
nor noticed the unkind remarks OF fel
low church members. Once she nurset
a lad through the SMALL -pox, and whel
she had saved his iifehe turned on be
roughly and told her to take her vii
carcass out of sight.
| Once she offered cookie to a littl