Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-07-30


At breakfast Mr.. Dale frankly dis
cussed the outlook with his guest. He
told her that Fairfield was wholly
farming community, and that the farm
ers were not greatly given to buying
books. Moreover, he did not himself at
present own a horse, and it was wholly
to hire one in the neighbor-
hood at this busy season.
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 90 with her to
some of the most promising places, but
this she declined gratefully, but with
quiet decision.
He then drew a 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 days
campaign, a 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 we'll 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 inconsistencies 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.
During this conversation Mrs. Payne
proposed that she should find board
ing place elsewhere, but upon this poin
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 cul
and plate, and 1 always keep cooked
up"
This signified that the stranger haC
found favor in Hannah's sight in thu
highest degree.
The days went on.
The first morning at prayers the Rev
Amos Dale had prayed for grace ant
strength for (" the stranger that wa
within his gates" but after that tn
heavenly benediction was asked upol
sour friend who abides with us for
season."
Each morning Mrs. Payne set out Oh
her wearisome round, uncomplainingly
full of courage and hope. At night
when she returned, she would tell owe
to Amos Dale and Hannah the adven
lures of the day, in quaint, merry wa
of her own, which gave charm to th
simplest thing she told. On the Who'll
she was succeeding in selling her book
beyond her expectations and the Rev
Amos bethought him of many roa
and district which she must not fail t
visit, even if it did lengthen her stay i
Fairfield beyond her plan. He was sur
that the pure air and the quiet of tn
place were good for her; he thought
little color was coming in her cheeks
He even proposed that she stay wit
them month, do her work leisurely an
rest between times. To this she woul
in no wise consent. She must leav
Tuesday morning at the very latest.
Sunday came, and Mrs. Payne S.
with Hannah in the minister's pew
down in front. When the Rev. AmC
Dale stood up in the pulpit to open tn
service, and caught sight of her swee
quiet face turned reverently toward hin
it startled him with a sensation strang
and agitating. There was no other fac
: with Just that look in all his congreg'
ton. What help it might be to a ma
but hush, what thoughts were these
-" The Lord is in His holy temple Il
all the earth keep silence before Him.
That evening there was praye
meeting. Mrs. Payne went again wit
Hannah and "gave in her testimony
in few words, taking up the thougl
: of the morning sermon, and applying
with delicate spiritual insightin anoth'
direction.
"Truly," thought the Rev. Am,
Dale, and he sighed, "sister Payne hi
, old George Herbert's famous stoi
, which turneth all to gold.'"
Monday morning was hot and sultr
the sun burning with fierceness lii
July, the air full of su1ocating dus
Amos Dale watched his guest as 81
started off on her last long walk in Fai
field with a dumb heart-ache. 1t hu
him to have her subjected to such weal
, ness and toll.
That afternoon he gave up to makiT
pastoral calls. 1t seemed to afford hi
a little comfort to place himself in Il
| same conditions with that frail lit
woman. So with his long strides
i, measured good portion of his paris
| and returned at tea time, heated al
covered with dust.
Mrs. Payne had reached home befo
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