The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-02-13


never once thought whether she could
lead a female prayer-meeting, run a
sewing society, or make speech at a
missionary meeting. 1 did once ask
mother Bobbs if Mary Jane was good
cook. A clergyman needs food for his
brain, and it was therefore natural that
I should think of such accomplishments;
but did not think it necessary to in
quire if Mary Jane could do a dozen
things at the same time, a feat she has
often been called upon to perform and
found fault with for not doing. I mar
ried Mrs. Buttles just after l settled in
my first parish, at Betsey's Corners. I
thought for the foolish magma
ton of youth!-now shall l have my
Mary Jane all to myself; but I soon
found that about seven-eighths of her
was claimed by my church.
The evening after our arrival at the
Corners, in stalked the widow Bates.
81 hope, Sister Buttles, you realize
your POSITION she began. 1t is
very solemn and responsible one. We
expect you will be a power in Zion, and
not block the wheels of the Lords
chariot"
Mary Jane blushed and stammered,
and hoped she would not, and the old
lady went on
"The Sewing Society, for the relief
of the inhabitants of Niggerderwigger,
will meet tomorrow at Sister Two
goods, and we expect you to be pres
ent. Our minister's wife is always
present. It is her duty to cut out the
work, and to take home and finish the
work left at each meeting. There are
ten pairs of pants and six waistcoats
waiting to be cut"
81 can't cut out such work, and 1
always did hate sewing!" cried Mary
Jane.
I saw the widows eyes open wide
and her mouth shut up tight as re-
served clam, so I said soothingly, 81
am delighted at your proposal, Sister
Bates. III fetch Mary Jane to Mrs.
Twogood's myself, and you shall teach
her to cut out breeches for the Niger
derwiggers without delay
The next caller was Mrs. Biddlecome,
wife of the Sunday-school Superintend-
ent. Sister Bates,'' said she, in
very grum voice-she had bronchitis
"the minister's wife always has charge
of the infant class. We expect you to
take Mrs. Plunkett's class next Sunday
She was our late pastors wife, you
know. We expect you to enter into
this work with all your heart and soul.
Sister Bates and myself will always be
at hand to advise and correct you.''
Before Mrs. Biddlecome left, Mrs.
Professor Bangs, wife of Professor
Philetus Bangs, once missionary to the
Pottiwotimies, appeared. "Now that
our minister has help-meet, - said she,
"there is some one to take the place of
poor Mrs. Plunkett in our circle. I do
hope you, Mrs. Buttles, will do better
than she did. There's no reason why
our circle should not succeed if our
minister's wife has any energy"
Then came Mrs. Deacon Bullhead,
who was always full of feeling.
81 hope, Sister Buttles, you are spir-
itually minded" said she, in a thick
voice. 81 feel there's great deal de-
pending on you. The old ladies have a
prayer-meeting, and we feel we must
have you to lead it,
Mrs. Belinda Slicer, Secretary of the
Grand United Water-workers; Mrs.
Tulula Tittlepaw, President of the So
ciety for Culture of the Brain; Mrs.
Bushwhack, President of the Society for
Providing Canal-men with Scripture
Notices, and many other ladies, all Off
GERS of something, called, and invited
Mrs. Buttles to join.
Mary Jane was about IS when we
were married, and had been brought up
by indulgent and rather worldly parents.
Of self-denial, resignation and humility
she knew very little, and she met the
demands of the parish with so much
spirit and independence she incurred
the displeasure of nearly every person
of any consequence in it; and, though
she yielded to my commands and their
demands, and attended about half the
meetings at which the minister's wife
always presided, and spent three-fourths
of her time at church work, she could