The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-01-30
CONCERNING THE PARSONS WIFE.
by the Rev. uriah xerxos Buttlcs.

by the Rev. Uriah Xerxes Buttlcs.
Not long ago Mrs. Mullet, an old
lady who is shining light in one of
the Griggsville churches Chank Heaven
it is not my church), said TO me, "Mr.
Buttles, why is it that parsons wives
arc so good-for-nothin'? Look at 'em
here in Griggsvile. There isn't one of
'em does what she ort to for the cause
OF Zion. And they all hev the same ex-
cuse: no time nor strength"
venturcd TO reply that Mrs. Shout
tin, the Methodist parsons wife, had
twins six mothns old, that Mrs. Waters,
the Baptist parsons vito had an inva-
lid father-in-law on her hands, and
that Mrs. Buttles washed, baked and
sowed for a family ofeight; and that as
each one of these ladies was slender
and somewhat feeble the care and SER
vice they gave their families were
enough, and they ought to be excused
from some of the church work and for
given if thev were sometimes sick.
G"Excusod!" cried Mrs. Mullet. "I
think, Mr.. Buttles, parsons wifo ort
to realize the responsibility of her po-
sition. If was sot in a,candle-stick on
IL hilltop I'd shine, and not give a
poor, smoky light neither. What's
house-work and sewing TO the cause of
Zionl"
BY this time felt pretty glumpy, so
| said did not see how Zion could get
on without these old-fashioned profess
sions, and then | walked home. / had
been deep in meditation on the
plaques of Egypt, :but my thoughts
were entirely diverted from this inter-
csling subject, and concentrated OH the
parsons wife and her relations to the
parish.
l think the parson, like other men,
considers only his own happiness in his
marriage. know that when courted
Mary Jane Bobbs, now Mrs. ButtIes,
never once thought whether she could
lead female prayer-meeting, run a
sewing society, or make a speech ut O
missionary meeting. l did once ask
mother Bobbs if Mary Jane was good
cook. A clergyman needs food for his
brain, and it was therefore natural that
| should think Ofsuch accomplishments
but did not think it necessary to in.
quire if she could do dozen things al
the same time, feat she has often beer
called upon to perform and found faul
with for not doing. | married Mrs
Buttles just after l settled in my frs
parish at Betsey's Corners. / though
alas for the foolish Imagination ol
youth!-now shall have my Mary
Jane all to myself; but 1 soon fount
; that about seven .eighths of her wal
claimed by the church.
= The evening after our arrival at the
Corners in sialkcd the widow Bates.
( Il hope, Sister Buttlcs, you realize
your position,' she began. at is {
D very solemn and responsible one. We
4 expect you will be power in Zion, ant
not block the wheels of the Lords char
iot,"
Mary Jane blushcd and stammcred
3 and hoped she would not, and the oil,
lady went on
'Thc sewing society for the relief O
!, the inhabitants of Niggerderwigger will
y meet tomorrow at sister Twogood's
and we expect you to be present. 1t il
q her duty to cut out the work, and tf
. take home and finish tho work left a
+ each meeting. There are ten pair o
r pants and six waistcoats to be cut"
2 81 can't cut ont such work, and al
ways did hate sewing!" cried Mar
): Jane.
l saw the widows eyes open wild
and her mouth shut up tight as re
served clam, so said soothingly, d"
l., am delighted at your proposal, siste
y Bates. I'll fetch Mary Jano to Mr.
IT Twogood's myself, and you shall tcac
l. her to cut out breeches for the Nigge
dcrwiggers without delay"
L The next caller was Mrs. Biddlecom
wife of the Sunday school superintcn,
ent. "Sistor Bates" said she, in vel
p grum voice-she had bonchitis-"tl
IS minister's wife always has charge
% the infant class. We expect you to tai
* Mrs. Plunketts class next Sunday. s.
r., was our late PASTORS wife, you kno'
h. We expect You 10 enter into this wo
~, with all your heart and soul. Sisi
=" Bates and myself will always pc
hand to advise and correct you."
Before Mrs. Biddlecome left, M
Professor Bangs, wife of Profess
- Philetus Bangs, once missionary to t
Pottiwotimies, appeared. "Now tn
our minister has helpmcet," said sh
'fhere is some one to take the place
poor Mrs. Plunkett in in our circle.
do hope you, Mrs. Buttles, will do be
why onr circle should not succeed
WllC llhS any
Then came Mrs. Deacon Bullhes
who was always full of feeling.
~ hope, Sister Buttlcs, you arc sp
itually-minded," said she in tn
voice. 81 feel there's great deal
pending on you. The old ladies ha '
prayer-meeting, and we feel we m
have you lead it.
Mrs. Belinda Sliccr, secretary of
Grand United Water-workers; N
Tulula Tittlepaw, president of the
ciety for Culture of the Brain; N
Bushwhack, president OF tho Soci
for Providence Canal-men with sc
ture notices, and many other lad
all officers OF something, called, and
vited Mrs. Buttles TO join.
Mary Jane was about eighteen w
we were married, and had been brou
up by indulgent and rather worldly
per rents. or self-denial, resignation
ans ,ns humility she knew very little, and
afe- met the demands of the parish witt
los, 'si much spirit and independence she in,
and redthe displeasurc of nearly every'pel
of consequence in It.; and though
NY yielded to my commands and their
mands, and attended abont half
day meetings at which the minister's '
viii viii al,cags presided and spent three-fou
and of her time at church work, she ct
pbs ,Ths not please the. people of the Corn
one and / had 10 find new charge.
see When i was enstalled In Griggs'