Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-04-12


On Thursday night the six ladies at
tended a class meeting at the Methodist
ves,ry. No, only that, but Miss jenkins
and Miss Martha Stiles both took par,
in the netting.
What was to be done: Something,
eriainly. Such state of things could
not exist long. The Baptists visited
the Misses Stiles, bu, all the information
they could get was that they went to
both places by invitation, and that Mar
tina felt moved 10 speak at the latter
place. and did so. And the Methodists
were no wiser for having called upon
their erring sisters.
The next Tuesday saw more mixing OF
the sects, and Monday night there was a
gathering at Miss Betsey's residence OF
all the ladies engaged in the conspiracy.
Sixteen ladies were present, and-was 1t
chance all were maiden ladies of fifty
wears and over. From this time forward
there was great intimacy between these
ladies. In vain they tried to induce
Others to join them; at the end Of three
months their band still numbered sixteen.
Betsey and Sarah talked the matter
over and concluded to open another
chapter OF their plan. They were not
disappointed in getting only sixteen ladies
to Join them; in fact, that was nearly
double the number they had hoped to get
in the beginning.
4 few days later a notice appeared on
the door of the Baptist store to the effect
that it had been sold to Miss Be;sey Bal
lev. About the same time one appeared
on the Congregational store, saying it had
been sold to Miss Sarah Jcukins. Both
stores were closed and the people all had
to 20 70 the Methodist, if they would buy
anything.
Both the ladies next called on the
Methodist brother, and he readily agreed
to take al the goods from the other
stores. if he could thereby get the whole
trade Of the town. He knew by bitter
experience that one store was all the
town could support. and he al once began
to help the ladies in their scheme, though
he was no; aware Of ,hs part he was
;aking-loakins only to the fac; tina, he
could make money by the change. This
plan Of the ladies was . partial success.
for the inhabitants fell righ, into this ar
raug,mcnt because they could no: help 1t.
Still they would no, visit, nor attend
any on; their own church, aud three
months more passed and still only the
sixteen maiden sisters belonged to the
visiting company. - chapter number
three was opened.
One morning the train brought TO the
village 4 very pretty Young lady and four
large trunks. Such thing was not a
common occurrence, aad the depot
louugcfs soon spread the news. stating al
80 that Miss Bailey was there 10 meet her,
and that the young lady called her
Aunlie. |, soon came out who she was,
and It was rumorod ,ha, her stay in Bos-
worth Nigh; be permanent.
She was the daughter Of Miss Baileys
sister, who had died when Rose was only
four years old. Miss Bailey claimed the
child taen, but the father wished her 20
remain with her folks, and Miss Bailey
was OF course forced to give up her claim
eor the child. Her father was now dead,
and she had come 10 live with Aunt Bet
,ey, whom she had always loved as u
mother
At first she was rather lonely, but when
Monday nigh, came and with it the meet
ing Of the sixteen unsectarian maidens,
she had enough to think Of. She was OF
course admitted TO the council, and was
much amused at the state Of society.
When the meeting adjourned she said to
her aunt:
Don't the young people visit, =
Not outside of the denomination to
which they belong"
Didn't Baptist ever marry a Metho-
dist or something OF that sort
Not within the memory OF the Oldest
inhabitant.
Il don't see how il is possible that a
town can survive with such gongs on,
said Miss Rose, more to herself than TO
her aunt.
ave don't survive, we merely exist.
The town has been worse than dead ever
since have been here, and we maiden
ladies have been trying to improve it.
Il think auntie, you have done well,
but you have started at the wrong end.
Let me try and help YOU"
Certainly YOU can. have hoped
ever since | got your letter, that you
would help US in some way when you
came. Do whatever YOU wish and | will
lend you all the aid in my power
Rosie did not unfold her plan to her
aunt, but at once began to carry it out.
The next Sunday saw her at the Con-
gregationalisi Church dressed in the most
becomming manner and every one pro-
nounced her the prettiest girl they had
ever seen. After church she went to the
Sunday school, learning the name Of the
young ladies and gentlemen near her own
age. The next Sunday she was at the
Baptists', attending both church and Sun
day school. And the next was devoted
to the Methodist society.
Then there was a stir. Miss Rosie
Anderson was going to give party at
her aunt's Miss BAiley's) residence, and
had sent notrs of invitation to all the
Young people of the town, without re-
gard to sect. The invitations were given
out a month before the time of the party,