River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-05-13
THE MINISTER'S WIFE.
Truthful Ske.ch.

man she married with the true devo-
ton of woman's heart, and was pre-
pared TO sacrifice much for his sake and
the sake of the holy cause he had es-
poused as his life-work. He entered on
a new passionate few months previous
to their union, and she went as bride
among his peoole. Her parents, hav-
ing an abundance OF means, supplied
her with nice outfit. Timidly con-
scious of being target for ell eyes. she
entered the church with her husband
for the first time. Her robe was silk
en-; her shawl elegant; her bonnet ex
quisite, from underneath which soft
brown curls fell in beautiful profusion.
She passed through the blushipg intro
ductory ordeal following the service,
and, glad to escape the criticism of her
new acquaintances, was led away by
her proud and happy bridegroom.
There were people belonging to that
church who minded their ewn business.
We have some, thank heaven! nova
days. There we're others who didn't,
and their descendants are legion. Suf-
fec it, the BRIDE was waited on by a
mother in Irael in few weeks, and in
formed that her curis created great
deal of talk. IuexpreAsibly shocked. at
ter consultation with her husband, she
smoothed the refractory waves into
bands and braids and wore no curls
thereafter.
A few weeks after q meddling sister
volunteered the criticism that her bon
net was 'little too fanciful. 1t those
lilies of the valley, with the dropping
sprays, were removed, 1t would be far
more becoming 10 one in her position"
This time she ignored the criticism. A
modest but elegant brooch was worn by
her to an afternoon social. AS she I'M
wrapped, the hostess laid an admon-
TORY finger on the offending bit OF mo-
sale ard asked, is that proper for a
minister's wife?" Tears sprang to the
young wife's eyes, and that night the
pin was laid away forever. In less than
years time she was formally waited
on by committee of ladies who re-
monstrated with her for wearing such
expensive silks, of which she had an
ample variety. Her indignation was
fully aroused by this last indignity. 81
wear" she said, Clothing which my
father gave me. and which never cost
your minister l cent. You know my
husbands salary is barely sufficient to
purchase the comforts of life with the
strictest economy. / shall continue to
wear such clothing as | have for the
present, but shall probably be plain
enough to suit you all when the time
comes for me to refurnish my ward
robe from my husbands slender
purse"
These experiences (which are not
overdrawp) saddened the poor wife. and
she grew by degrees as demure as a
nun in her attire. From 5000 to $500,
from that to $1,000, 81 500 and 81 800,
the clergyman's salry increased as time
went by, and he removed from place to
place, as those of the cloth are prone to
do, and then it was: Glow plain Mr..
BIS wife is; she never wears anything
like other people," and rich dress pat
tern was purchased and presented her.
Other gifts followed, and when she de-
INJURED at wearing the unusual tinery
so long ago discarded, it was limited
that the congregation, paying her hus-
band a fine sum for his services, desired
to see her robed suitably. She had sac
rifced her own tastes ia her early mar
riei life, and was now required to re-
model her habits and ideas.
Churches vary as greatly as individ-
uals. 1t is impossible for one poor lit
tie woman to please them all. Should
she alter her costume according to
every suggestion, Joseph's coat of many
colors would be nowhere beside her ka-
leidoscopic raiment. Moreover, the
minister's wife Is criticized in divers
other ways, quite as Objectionable. Her
| carpets are muddied, chairs disarranged.
her tides pulled away, her books
thumb marked and her albums dilapi-
dated by her husbands parishioners
still her home must be scrupulously
neat, her table presentable, and run a
la hotel-namely, free to everybody,
her pay usually being edifylng ~ and
garrulous gossip. Her children must
be models of their sanctimonious papa.
1t is their duty to be born perfect. She
is not Christian mother unless they
are. They must labor for the heather
| when their scholastic eruditlon IS too
infantlle to grasp the meaning OF the
word. They mustn't do this, that and
the other-not because it is wrong, but
because they are minister's children,
and are expected to be luminous ex-
amples. The minister himself, often.
times over-worked and poorly paid: and
required to grind out certain amount
of brilliancy weekly, is a blessed NOR
tai compared with his quiet helpmeet
With scriptural text he can say what
he thinks, and warn his people of the
wrath to come if they don't behave
themselves. He can indulge IL
clerical scolding, but she says
nothing. His witty and bright
sayings are alarmipgly repeated
She is generally too weary to be witty
and bright. She waits for her reward
and verify say unto you, she will nave
| it. She wants to see all her husband
good friends in the better land, but Il
is good relief to think she won't have
| to parade after them with a broom anc
a dust pan in that blessed state. 1t won
be, SISTER, your crown glitters a little
too brightly;" or, ''ii you'd alter YOU
robe trlfle it would suit as better
The minis ter's wife is often truly loved
and warmly appreciated and is sur
rounded by the kindest of kind heart!
and who make her pathway pleasant
But when she falls into the hands of thu
"Pnilistinee," who under various title
and names exist in most all churches j
impossible, despite her utmost efforts
tc maintain perfect serenity under the
fire and comments of the busy bodies
If there is one angle in heaven hap
pier than the other it is the minister
wife.