Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-30
The New Minister'S Sermon.

1t was several days before Thanksgiving;
but Aunt Milly Lovejoy was as busy with
her work and plans for celebrating the day
as if only twenty-four hours separated her
and our New England anniversary.
Have you thought, father" asked Aunt
Milly, stopping in her meat chopping and
resting her hands on the side Of the tray,
"what good luck we've had raising turkeys
since we concluded to give every odd number
TO the destitute2"
DWELL, no, can't say as | have" replied
Uncle Nathan, holding his paper to one side
and looking pleasantly at Aunt Milly. ave
never had very bad luck, anyway"
"No, | know that. But the foxes and
woodchucks used to trouble us some. But
for five years we've lost only one; and I've
always thought that Tommy Goblet killed
that, for Nancy says them children are
dreadful about THROWN stones"
"Tve thought maybe he did too; for the
little fellow has been sort OF shy OF me ever
since the turkey died"
"lt's about time that we were plan
ming how to dispose of EN-. We shall have
eight TO give away. Now that the Riggses
and Brokers have moved away, hardly
know how to distribute them"
1.-THE family that moved into the BROKER
house has two sick children, and the father
has not been in the mill to work for morn a
week. Maybe turkey there would be ac-
ceptable. And there is a widow with a
grown-up daughter and two small boys Twin
in the Riggs house. The daughter works in
the mill and the mother takes in sewin.' If
they were my turkeys, l should send one
there. Then there is Sylvia Blackwell and
old Peter Knight, the minister"
"Im going to send Tommy Goblet one
this year. They amt real needy but Mrs.
Goblet is a hard working woman, and maybe
having neighbor think of her when most
everybody else is happy will make her bur-
dens lighter"
"Well, yes, it would be right, think"
said Uncle Nathan, kindly. "All the rest in
the neighborhood raise Them" continued
Uncle Nathan, leaning forward and looking
exactly as if he had done Aunt Milly ia
vor, helping her dispose Of her turkeys.
"Well, Nancy says that Blooma WASH
burn didn't raise any this year, and l thought
we might send her one" said Aunt Milly,
looking straight at Uncle Nathan.
"Blooma Washburn's husband is my enc.
my" replied Uncle Nathan, rather CURLY.
al don't see, Nathan, as the quarrel be-
tween you and Ruel Washburn need hinder
Blooma and | keeping up neighborly courte-
sies," replied Aunt Milly, the least bit Of
perity in her tone.
"Well, Milly, it needn't. Everybody in
the neighborhood knows that you do as you
please with the turkeys, and that it wouldn't
be my doings, trying to buy Ruel Wash
burn back to good feeling But, Milly, it
would not look Just right"
"Why not ?" asked Aunt Milly, folding
her hands meekly across the tray and look
ing at Uncle Nathan.
"Well, it would look as if we wern't of
one heart and one mind, serving the Lord"
"Christ says, Love your enemies and
this is good way to show our love-" said
Aunt Milly, tenderly.
"Oh, well, shan't try to hinder your
doing as you please. Send Blooma turkey,
to talk, A1illy."
Aunt Milly looked steadily upon the bed
Of glowing Goals, as if studying the right
way.
"That Christly command, Love your en-
emies, is for US all but st. Paul's command
to wives is for me. We will act in har-
mony, Nathan, if we do think different"
"Oh well, dear, do Just as you please,
and I'll warrant it'll be all right" said Uncle
Nathan, rising and reaching for his overcoat,
which meant a walk to the postoffice or
some neighbor's."
1T does seem strange how Nathan and
Ruel do hold out in their difference. And
Blooma and have been praying all these
years. Yes, it is five years next November
since they've spoken to each other or broke
bread at Christ's table; and it all grew out
Of difference of opinion. An argument
followed, and neither could convince the
other; then anger, hot words, and each de
clared himself independent of the other
And to think how we used to live how they
ad no oil % NJ o,l
death, and come to us when their Alice al
most broke their hearts by marrying against
their wishes. Oh it is so strangel There
are seasons that know they must hunger
for their old ways, and if they were not toe
proud they'd yield. Oh, father will it al
ways be thus? Will thy cause always suf
ferY" Milly Lovejoy wept as she never wept
before. Tears are prayers, dear SOUL and
Christ wipes them all away.
CHAPTER II.
Aunt Milly thought that she was talking
to Nancy, her adopted daughter; but Nancy
was in the kitchen with Obed, their adopted
son, laughing softly to see the apple-seedi
that she named and dropped upon the stove
snap apart or towards each other, as theil
fate was to be, and CHANGING occasionally a
Obeds figuring, that he was puzzling over
81 can't understand, Obed, why you ar,
80 slow about learning to cipher and quicl
at everything else. It's all Icare to study,
said Nancy, kindly
al don't understand it, either" rejoine,
Obed, goodnaturedly.
"My ciphering with appleseeds to lear
fate is slow, too" said Nancy, laughing
Now I'm going to name this one Samantha
Milkins," said Nancy, dropping plum
seed upon the stove, and this one Obe'
Loveioy This is my fourth trial There
You've snapped clear off the stoye IIurrah
There goes Samantha after you. What
determined, persevering little piece she il
She'll never give you up, Obed. You'll hay
to take her, the farm and the old folk
Won't you be grand in that big house an
driving that fine span Heigho you're i
luck, Obed, if anybody ever was"
Nancy Lovejoy, you know better % r,
piled Obed, Strengthening up and trying I
look indignant
of there is any truth in apple-seeds snal
ping, you can't help yourself and hay
heard OF several fortunes proving true, tol
that way" said Nancy, with mock gravit,
at the same time watching the effect of ht
raillery upon Obed.
obed pretended not to hear, and sal,
frankly:
at is several months, Nancy, since
asked you that question, and every time
have referred to it you have evaded answe
ing it. If did not believe that you {
care for me, in spite Of your words, wou
never mention 1t again"
81 never have denied regard for you
but must be sure that it is Just right b
fore l decide. But the several evidenc
that have had that il is right for us to ca
for each other fail to satisfy but ! am su
they will occur"
al doubt if they ever do" replied ODE
gloomily. Haven't you had evidenc
that it was right for you to care for Harlc
Briggs2"
Never" retorted Nancy, sharply.
"You would make a good choice If y,
did encourage Harlow. He is rich, educat
and talented. There is nothing objeotiC
able about him." said Obed, cycling Nan
critically.
at is not necessary to plead any on
cause with me, Obed Lovejoy. You {
talking to retaliate my words about |
mantha," retorted Nancy, quickly.