Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-30
Galfs and Sketfbts.
BY II. o. C.

Ours was small, rural parlSn. Inc
Iaity, with the exception Of the villsg aris-
t,crats, were scattered over dozen or
more miles OF hill and dale, divided in
to farms, varying in size from six acres to
five hundred. We had the inevitable main
street, with its two rows OF houses, OF New
England style, prim and white, fortunate
" relieved by a goodly number Of elms
and horsechestnuts. The church and rec
tory were Of stone, refreshing to the eye
at noondav. On the rising ground, oppo-
site, was pile OF French gray, built into
a profusion Of hooks and gables. bay
dows and piazzas. This was considered
nv Mr.. Montrose, its owner, as the perfec-
ton OF all that could be desired in resi-
dence. A student Of Ruskin had once bold
Nv yentured 10 inquire whether the archi-
lecture were CorDthian, and the Droprie-
tor had tr,nhfully replied thatitwas Ameri-
can.
The residents Of the main street had a
walk to church Of only two or three min
utes and they were sometime guilty OF a
slight attack OF vanity, when. on Sunday
morning. affired in their best apparel.
fresh from the wardrobe, they glanced at
the dusty garb Of those who had been jolt
ed over the powdered roads in one-hOrse
wagons.
The minister and his wife led the van Of
all that could be called society. Marvel
lous to relate. they had no children. A
regular, although small. income, prevent
ed all undus anxiety. The duties Of the
profession and Of the household. exercised
the varied powers Of the twain; while
sufficient leisure was allowed for the claims
Of friendship and the charms OF literature
Nothing prevented them from dwelling in
the happy valley Of love. and Joy. and
peace, as they listened To appeals Of ali
kinds. administering advice. reproof, or
encouragement. In the country. good
pastor is the father of a large family. As
well as its spiritual guide.
Mrs. Foster had been married long
enough to understand something of the
minor trials as well rs JOYS Of ner position !;
but, although an excellent housekeeper,
she was by no means prepared for series
Of comic adventures that befell her one
fine autumn day.
We must not forget 10 mention one other
member of the household. Nancy Aldrich,
a good-natured girl of eighteen, whose
province was the work that the lady of
the establishment did not choose to do her
self The maiden enjoyed her toll and
her place. considering herself higher in
the social scale than Jane Miller, who
lived at the Squire's.
No Ilibernians had yet invaded our
town, so that whatever aid in domestic
labor might be required by any presumpt-
uous family. was rendered by quite res
pectable American girls, to whose un-
sophisticated minds it never occurred,
that they were degrading themselves by
doing in the homes Of their neighbors the
work to which they had been accustomed
in their own
All this proves that our villagers were
yet in rather a primitive condition, that
hotels were unknown, that the habits of
the people were somewhat in accordance
with apostolic usage,-without, however,
the simple tastes of the early Christians
and that a minister's house was regarded
rs the home of all his brethren. or a GER
tain disastrous dinner would not have oc-
Cured.
The day was bright and beautiful Mrs.
Foster and Nancy were verv busy, for
company was expected. Ministers indeed.
dear friends of the family. the Rev DIR.
Bliss and the Rev. MIR. johnson. As
these were invited guests. they had an
undoubted right to a cordial welcome.
The prettiest little dinner had been ar
ranged--a pair Of plump chickens for
roast; turecn of mashed potatoes.
Drowned ut the top, so that the vegetable
would not be recognized by the uninita-
ted and n glass dish of cranberry Jelly
moulded so rs to resemble mammoth
ruby. The dessert consisted of angels
food-not mama. dear reader. but con-
coction of egg. sugar and gelatine. almost
tempting enough for the pure beings above
also basket of .Jargonelle pears and
Diana grapes.
The guests had arrived. They were in
the parlor. Mrs. Foster and Nancy
proudly glanced from the dining table
where the first course had been placed.
to the sideboard upon which tenderly re-
posed the simple but elegant dessert. Mr..
Foster, good man-people said that he
appreciated housekeeping without the
slightest comprehension of its details. -
gave an admiriug nod. as he exclaimed
81 do not believe DIR. Bliss would have
anything better in his own Boston home"
''Of course not. James," bridled his
wife. Il can get up rs good a dinner as
Helen Bliss any day. although have not
her cook, and she gave pleasant smile
TO Nancy. who was standing arrayed in
her white bib apron. ready TO serve the
three parsons and their hostess. and wish
ing Jane Miller would happen in. before
the impending work of destruction.
Mr.. Fosters face beamed with satisfac-
ton. As he ushered into the pretty dining
room. his very dear friends. the titled and
the untitled iunctionary. Both the city
guests as they furtively glanced at the ia
bic. revealed upon their benignant faces.
such an expression Of peace and good
will to all the world. that Mrs. Foster
looking at them in turn. assured herself
for the thousandth time. that she always
did like ministers.
DIR. Bliss. in silvery. st. John tones.
gratefully acknowledged the blessings of
Providence. and all then began meal of
pure enjoyment.
The dinner was perfect in its way. not.
of course. aldermanic. but everything was
good Of its kind. and well cooked. Our
friends had rs pleasant an hour as often
falls to the lot of mortals. With the
chickens. came adiscussion OF dear friends
and family affairs: with the angels food
the enervating effects Of Ritualism: with
the luscious pears and grapes. our re-
lations with foreign powers: and. on ris-
ing from the table. the approaching tran
ali of Venus was announced As a tonic of