The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-10-25

agents. Some way he preferred that she
should feel herself welcome and her
way made easy.
Arrived at the parsonage, ,he was pleas
ed to see Hannah's grlmness relax
little before Mrs. Payne's gentle voice
and smile. He was glad to see her en-
joy her cup of lea, and when, immedl-
ately after she asked to be shown her
room, and followed Hannah and her
candle up the winding staircase, he was
sorry she had gone quite so soon. Moth
ing 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
1t to explain itself. Mrs. Payne told
Hannah the next day that she had been
mislnformed on the subject.
At breakfast Mr.. Dale frankly discuss
ed the outlook with his guest. He told
her that Fairfield was whollya a farming
community, and that the farmers were
not greatly given to buying books
Moreover he did not himself at present
own horse, and 1t was wholly impos-
sible to hire one In the neighborhood at
this busy season.
To this Mrs. Dale replied cheerfully
that she expec ted and was able to walk,
aud would start Immediately after break
fast.
Mr.. Dale offered to so with her to
some of the most promising places, but
this she declined gratefully but with
quiet decision.
He then drew rude map of all the
principal roads in Fairfield, with the
farmhouses where she would be likely
to be well received, and soon after she
started out bravely on her first days
campaign, copy of the Complete Ana-
lyticaI Commentary under her arm-too
heavy 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 a
little 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 a minister, of the same faith as
| 1aI Nan ha Il
died, leaving her with baby GIRL
| Through the kindness of friends she
had soon obtained a position as clerk to
government official, and strange to
say had retained it until few months
ago, when 1t had been taken from her
by political changes.
She could not wait for good situation
to open-her little daughter, who was
now at boarding school, must be sup
ported 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 undertak-
en- 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 show.
ed in all that she said, spirit of faith
and patient waiting, which the Rev.
Amos Dale found very refreshing to
his own spiritual experience.
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
'Tain't nothin' to put on an extry cur
and plate, and L always keep cooked
up"
This signlfied that the stranger had
found favor in Hannah's sight in the
highest degree.
The days wenton.
The first morning at prayers the Rev
Amos Dale had prayed for grace an,
strength for "the stranger that wa
within his gates,' but after that tn,
heavenly benediction was asked upoI
tour friend who abides with us for
season."
Each morning Mrs. Payne set out ol
her wearisome round, uncomplainingly
full Of courage and hope. AT night