The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-26

RED to death planning and fusslng over
them. It's 80 hard to know what to send
anybody who already has everything
that money can buy, and I hate to send
anything that they wouldn't care for af-
ter they got it,"
cit would be annoying" I remarked,
as she paused evidently expecting us to
say something.
Eyes, but the camel's-halr shawl that
Isent Minnie was such peculiar pattern
that don't believe she has one like it,
and the lace sacques that I sent the girls
were just lovely-laces are always ac-
ceptable you Knoxville the seal-skin
caps for the boys will be newer if no
handsomer than those they already
have"
mo doubt they will be acceptable, "
replied Mrs. Goodenough pleasantly and
then, in as few words as possible, she
stated the object of our visit.
Mrs. Tiptop looked annoyed-out-
ragged:
it is rather hard that We should always
have to dress up our minister's wife, just
as soon as they get here. With the
thousand a year that we pay him, and
the parsonage rent free, I should think
they might manage to get their own
Clothes"
"But you must remember" urged
Mrs. Goodenough, THAT Methodist
minister's salary is very changeable
thing. Mr.. Service received from the
last church that he was with only six
hundred dollars, with house rent to pay
ont of that. With his large family, and
sickness and other expenses, he was
obliged to contract some debts, that he
is paying out of his present salary"
"Of course he is" fretted the lady.
"This society is always paying for dead
horses. But I suppose" she added,
with an injured air, "that if don't do
my part therell be a great outcry as
there always is if fail to meet every call
that is made on my purse.
She drew from her pocket dainty,
we'll filled purse, and after long search
among the bills and gold pieces, she sue
ceeded in upearthing silver quarter,
which she tossed into my lap, with the
air of one bestowing bone upon an I'M
fortunate dog.
1 left the house feeling both Disguised
and mortified, but my friend only
laughed good naturally.
eve been there before, on similar
errands," she said, with a curt signiti-
canoe that made farther comment un.
necessary. "And now we are so near,
we might as we'll call on Aunt Patience
Goodrim-the dear old soul never will
forgive us if we don't let her have hand
in our present.
"But," objected, "she is sick and
poor, and it don't seem just right to ask
her to give anything"
"She won't call giving for such pur-
pose burden"
And when saw the brightness creep
ing into the wan, wrinkled face of the
invalid, and noted how eagerly she en-
tered into our plans, I realized, most
emphatically the force of the text
ut is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive," as applied to such souls as hers.
I'm so glad you let me have a part in
it," she said, gratefully. Folks think,
because I'm so helpless and dependent
that won't have anything of my own to
give; but where there's will there's a
way, you know, and with my one we'll
hand have contrived to knit enough
this summer and fall to earn quite lit
tie sum, that I've put aside for gift
money. Mary Jane and her husband
know how it pleases me, so they don't
object"
Her purse was worn, battered old
thing, plain and cheap at its best, and
now showing unmistakable signs of long
and hard service, but the crisp, new bill
that she took from it made Mrs. Tiptop's
little mean quarter of dollar look
smaller than ever by comparison.
II wish it was more," she said, heart
lily, rs l thanked her for the generous
contribution. "But if was able to be-
stow thousands upon that dear minister
of ours, never could begin to repay him
for the comfort and courage that his
words and prayers have brought to me. "
The next house we called at was that
of respectable mechanic, whose good
wife gave what she could, with cheer
full face, and the heartily expressed hope
that Everybody" would be willing to do
their part for 50 good an object.
The afternoon with its varying for
tunes was drawing to close Gs We found
ourselves near q handsome house, in q
fashionable part of the city, and caught
q glimpse of bright, girlish faces at the
windows, that looked out invitingly at
US, from their warm, cozy retreat.
1--WE mustn't forget the Bells, l said.
MRS. Bell, and Kate, and Susie, are all
meln bers Of our church, and of course,
with their means, will be willing to give
us somethin0X