Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-18
NO. ~.
Gales ano Skettbes.
KlP'S MINISTER.
Continued from Yesterday

- eS SUs ne SAID Win MS ewes f3lrIy
dancing. ..You mean to send il TO him.
uncle Ralph2 guess can take itr'
He never called his minister 1.-The par
son"-it scarcely sounded respectful
enourh-but Of course he knew who was
meant and he was far too happy for any
criticisine thought. That handsome easy
chair Wouldn't the very sight of it rest
poor tired Mrs. Clayo Kip could see Just
how her pale face would look leaned back
agair st tie cushions.
ATS pretty heavy for you to carry so
far though" Mr.. Mitchell was saving
when Kip recalled his wandering wits far
enough to understand. ",Iim could take
it in the wagon perhaps"
81 might put it in the hand-cart and
wheel il over" interposed Kip with sud-
den inspiration. He could bear no delay.
and he wanted to take it himself.
Mr.. Mitchell commended that suggestion
rs mot bad notion on kip's part''
"And what shall | tell him. Uncle
Ralph ?''
Tell him-whv. he'll understand; he
can see for himself Tell him sent it.
and he'll know what to do with it, sup
pose"
Kip supposed SO too. He waited Tor no
farther directions, but made Il partial
toilet very expediiiously, and was soon
safely out on the road with his treasure.
To say that he was pleased and proud is n
very faint description of his feelings. lie
trundled that hand-cart by no out -oi-the-
way route. and he was not long alone the
village boys hailed him:
"Hello. Kip! What you got there?.'
ats our folks present to the Minister
answered Kip grandly. and one afer an
other the admiring boys fell into line until
the chair formed the centre OF triumphal
procession. The village soon knew of the
gift, as the village always did know of
everything that happened within its limits
and Kip had the satisfaction of beng
stopped several times. and of hearing that
Mr.. Mitchell had done 1.-THE handsome
thing" and that the chair WAS "out- and
on. nice
So, in n beatific state. he reached the
gate of the little parsonage. There was
no lack of assistance. Every urchin was
anxious to share at least the reflected
glory o. helping to carry II, and it WAS
borne to the house very much rs party
of ants bear off lump of sugar--by
swarming all over it. The mini .ter came
to the door. the bodyguard fell back, and
klp presented tne prlZc.
"I1erc's something that uncle Ralph
sent you sir; he bought it in town to-day.
He said tell you he sent it. and he guessed
you'd know what to do with it," he said
with shining eyes.
The minister's eyes shone too and then
grew dim. This was so unexpected, and
it meant so much to him. II had some
times seemed hard to that kind. tender
heart that the one of all the village who
could have done most. had never mani
tested any interest in his work for these
poor peope-had not lifted with even
finger the burden of care and sacrifice. or
shown any disposition to aid or encour-
age. But there must have been sympathy
after all. This is n generous gift IN its
luxuriousness-a thoughtful one, for 1t
was for the dear invalid lie opened
door near to him and said softly:
"Rachel. look hcre,'
How he had watched Just such an easy,
restful cushioned niche for the worn slight
form, The BOYS could not understand
what it was to him in itself and in what il
represented-"Onlyh his voice had Il trem-
BILE in it like when he prays." Hip said
to himself on the homeward way
However he hated fixed up company
in general he would not for anything miss
the gathering at the parsonage that even
ing, and wood and water, cows and kind
ling must be looked after early. So IL
happened he did not speak ith Mr. Mitch
ell again until nigbtfall. Then that gen.
tleman be,hought him of his commission
"Ah. Kip carried the chair safely did
you ?''
Yes. sir.''
"Well. what did he say to it''
II wish you'd seen him uncle Ralph -
said Kip radiantly. Not as he said much
either. only something bout how he didn't
know how to thank YOU
GLOW to thank me ?' repeated Mr..
Mitchell in amazement. "Why should he?
He isn't so short of work as all that, is
he ?''
"Short of work. uncle Ralph" 1t was
Kip's turn to open wide eyes of astonish-
ment. 81 should think not, with all his
preaching and Sunday school and poor
folks! don't suppose he thought he'd
have time to sit in it himself; but Mrs.
Clay. she's sick
What have the Clays to do with il p''
demanded Mr.. Mitchell! with clouding
brow and a dawning suspicion of some
thing wrong. II told you to take it to
Mr. Parsons-the cabinet max er' 's--to have
that spring fixed.''
Kip saw it all then, but he wished the
floor would quietly open and drop him
into the cellar. or that he could fly through
the roof. He thrust his hands deep into
bis pockets. and his face flushed and
paled.
''I-thought--you said the parsons,
he stammered. II s'posed twas for the
minister's donation. and So
lyon took it there?' Mr. Mitchell COM
pleted the sentence. Now how in the
world
But it was too much to be borne. Kip
waited for nothing more, but rushed from
the house. and if in the shadow of the
friendly wood-pile he leaned his head
against the rough sticks and cried, there
was no one to see
'.They may fix it up anyway they
please" he said. II can't do it can't
and won'tr'
A little later he stood by the old gate
watching the great yellow moon come up.
and digging his red fists into his eyes now