The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-02-12

MIN, 10 way, with my own decision
and armness, which have always made
it as easy for me to say no as yes in re-
gard to anything about which my cou,
victions we're clear.
The greatest trial we had to contend
with was our inability to be liberal and
thoroughly hospitable. This suburban
town where we now live is much veal
thier now than then, but even then it
was aristocratic enough to tell what its
future would be. Every denomination
must have its own church, and there
we're always fairs and festivals and sub =
scriptions for this and that; and Obed
was church member, and very much
looked up to because of his abilities,
fine social position and high character,
and you can imagine how, with our mis-
cradle income, it was utterly impossible
for us tobuy tickets for everything, sub
scribe toward the preachers salary, or
contribute generously toward the church
expenses in any way. The very best
that we could do was to cast in our
widows mite, and whenever help was
needed that entailed no expense, to ren.
der that. But when it came to money,
mind you, We could go no further. We
held it to be crime to let our honest
debts go unpaid for the sake OF feeding
the contribution box. We knew men
who did that way, but they were always
in financial trouble, and 1 don't think
they enjoyed their religion much, es.
pecially when they were sold out by the
sheriff, their ia 9ilies reduced to penury,
and various other families suffering loss
because of their liberality in various
ways.
We'll, in the second or third year of
our marriage the church building mania
seized upon the ambitious part of the
congregation OF the church of which
Obed is q member. The old church was
old-fashioned, it is true, ivy grown, but
in most ways very comfortable, and 30
capacious as to hold congregation three
or four times as large as that which
worshiped in it. But the town, it was
argued, was growing rapidly in another
direction, and in order for our church
to hold its own and to gather within its
precincts the saints in costly array,
there must be a new fold with all mod
ern improvements for the accommoda.
tion of these fine-wooled sleep to pas
ture in; so subscriptions for the new
church began. Obed was elected one
of the trustees, for the eclat of his name,
l suppose, He attended one or two Of
the business meetings, when he lifted
up his voice in opposition to the scheme,
and that was all of his participation in
the matter.
Finally, dedication day came. 1t was
appointed for Sunday in September,
and everybody, far and near, who was
at all likely to donate anything toward
the lifting of the debt on the enterprise,
which amounted to six thousand dollars,
was especially invited to attend the ded-
icatory services. The bishop was to
officiate, and other noted men in the
church were to be present The Sun.
day morning came, and awoke with
headache which quite untitled me for
service. Obed announced his intention
of going to hear the bishop, and added,
laughingly, TO see the fun
What tunp' / asked in surprise.
The fun Of seeing six Thousand squeez-
ed out OF the people. If they are all as
dry an orange as am they II raise about
ten cents, and he thrust his hands into
his trousers empty pockets. Then,
kissing me, he walked away. watched
him as far as the gate, taking pride in
his tall, manly figure and distinguished
air, that asserted itself in spite of his
somewhat seedy church suit.
Dinner hour came, but Obed had not
yet returned. remember was sitting
on the back porch Of our cottage wait
ing for him, when, like fash, came the
thought in my mind what if Obed
should be induced to subscribed The
thought actually made me faint for a
moment, but 1 quickly dismissed it as
being unworthy Of him. He knew our
struggle with poverty, and especially
appreciated the sacrifices that I was
constantly called upon to make, and, as
you know, l had been reared in affluence.
No, Obed was not of that class OF men
who send money to the heathen while
wife and children actually suffer Tor the
necessaries OF existence.
That ignoble thought quite passed
away, and half an hour later heard
Obed's step on the walk, little less
eager than usual, it seemed to me, and
the moment he reached the porch l
knew something was wrong, for can
always tell from Obed's face the state Of
his feelings.
We'll, back agar, are you, ObedP' I
said by way of greeting, as he threw his
hat down with boyish fling.
'Yes;and what do you think I've done,
NellP' he asked vehemently.
Il couldn't say, Obed, [ replied qui-
etly.
Subscribed 8 hundred dollars TO that
pesky church, I'm ashamed Of myself
/ despise myself / never felt 30 mean