The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-08-13


valse. As she came into the light, he
saw what he had felt when she spoke,
that she was a lady. She had q pale
face, with smooth brown hair under her
widows cap; there was refined, splr-
ittlal character in the features, and an
expression of sadness in the gray eyes.
Altogether, Rev. Amos Dale found dill
Guilty in. believing that this was one OF
the persevering book agents whom he
had always held in disfavor. 2t9"i ~
AS they walked along the quiet road,
he carrying the valise himself, much
against her will, there being no convey
ance at the depot, he found that he
could not tell her that he should have
discouraged her coming if he had re-
ceiyed her letter in time, or that Far,
field if fair was not promising as held
for book agents. Someway he preferred
that she should feel herself welcome and
her way made easy Ben gre f..5 a.ti,i
Arrived at the parsonage, he was
! pleased to see Hannah's grimness relax
little before Mrs. Payne's gentle voice
and smile. He was glad to see her en-
Joy her cup of tea, and when. immedl-
ately after, she asked to be shown to her
room, and followed Hannah and her
candle up the winding staircase, he
was sorry she had gone quite so soon.
Nothing had been said of her mistake
with regard to his being married man.
| He had found certain awkwardness IN
mentioning the matter, and so had left
it to explain itself Mrs. Payne told
!, Hannah the next day that she had been
misinformed on the subject.
At breakfast Mr.. Dale frankly dis
cussed the outlook with his guest. He
told her that Fairfield was wholly a
farming community, and that the farm
ers were not greatly given to buying
books, Moreover, he did not himself at
hpresent own horse, and it was wholly
impossible to hire one in the neighbor-
hood at this busy season. 1881 n .iH5
To this Mrs. Payne replied, cheerful
| ly, that she expected and was able to
walk, and would start Immediately after
breakfast. ''''"
Mr.. Dale offered to go with her to
some of the most promising places, but
this she declined gratefully, but with
quiet decision. ,..t ..., ,...4
He then drew rude map of all the
principal roads in Fairfield, with the
farm houses where she would be likely
to be well received, and soon after she
started out bravely on her first day S
campaign, copy of the Complete An
alytical Commentary under her arm
too heavy a book, thought the Rev.
Amos, for such little woman to carry.
He had put down his own name for a
copy of that valuable work, taking lit
tie pains, after doing so, to put out of
sight copy of an earlier edition which
had stood for many years on his book
shelves. This he could give to the Sun
day-school library. #....-..,.
That evening Mrs. Payne had long
talk in the twilight with her host and
Hannah Breeze. She told few simple
facts of her own history, which enlisted
their interest and sympathy for her more
strongly than ever. Her husband had
been minister, of the same faith as
Amos Dale. Ten years ago he had died,
leaving her with baby girl. Through
the kindness of friends she had soon OBJ
tanned a position as clerk to Govern
ment official, and strange to say had re-
tanned it until few months ago, when
it had been taken from her by political
changes.
She could not wait for good situa-
ton to open-her little daughter, who
was now in boarding-school, must be
supported as well as herself. The agency
for this book was suggested to her as a
temporary shift until she could find
something better, and she had underta-
ken it. 1t was evident that she was full
of homesickness and anxiety for Rose,
her little daughter, whom she had al
ways kept with her before, but she
showed in all she said spirit of faith
and patient waiting, which the Rev.
Amos Dale found very refreshing to his
own spiritual experience. u..l..
During this conversation Mrs. Payne
proposed that she should find board.
ing place elsewhere, but upon this point
Mr.. Dale was firm; while she tarried in
Fairfield her dwelling was to be under
the parsonage roof, and Hannah added,
"You might as well stay where you be.
You don't make no trouble to speak of
faint nothin' to put on an extra cup
and plate, and l always keep cooked
up" q. so '"nfis '"fl s7.m
This signi6ed that the stranger had
lbfOl III III III Uut
highest degree.
The days went on.
The first morning at prayers the Rev.
Amos Dale had prayed for grace and
strength for I" the stranger that was
within his gates,'' but after that the
heavenly benediction was asked upon
sour friend who abides with us for q
season." IHt 4l'.gsr
Each morning Mrs. Payne set out on
her wearisome round, uncomplainingly,
full of courage and hope. At night,
when she returned, she would tell over
to Amos Dale and Hannah the adven-
lures of the day, in quaint, merry way
of her own, which gave charm to the
simplest thing she told: On the whole
she was succeeding in Selling her books
beyond her expectations; and the Rev.
Amos bethought him of many road
and district which she must not fail to
visit, even if it did lengthen her stay in
Fairfield beyond her plan. He was sure
that the pure air and the quiet of the
place were good for her; he thought a
little color was coming in her cheeks.
He even proposed that she stay with
than, a month do bor x.,o,.l- 10. - =, 4