South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-12-09

In chocolate. brown overcoat opened
the gate OF Parson Rowe's cottage one
sharp. cold morning when heavy snow
lay upon the ground.
1t was Squire Glover. one Of the nil.
lars OF the church, and he was coming
to consult his pastor concernin. some
church matter. Just as he was about
rapping at the door il opened. and Wi.
lie Rowe camc out.
Just walk right in. Squire. and sit
down. says Willie. Pail be in direct.
! ~
Away he ran. and the Squire stepped
In, and sat down in the little parlor.
waiting the appearance of his pastor.
Presently he heard steps aud voices
In The adjoining room, anu then chi,d's
voice said:
PA. just look at my shoe. tie all
ripped
1 think it is, Laura answered the
parsons tones. Let me see-pcrhaps
mo. it is too worn to he mended a.
gain
Well, pa, please. I'll like to have
new pair. Won't you get 'em for me p
AS soon as pa can, he surely will,
daughter, said the father, in sal tones,
BE good and wait little, Laura
/ Il have waited ever SO loog. said Lau.
"a, and Willie's shoes are worse than
mine, and he hasn't got any mittens
either
Laura interrupted voice which the
Squire knew was Mira. Rowe's, run and
feed your chickens, and don't worry pa.
pa now
The child ran out. and the parson.
never dreaming who was in the next
room, hearing every word through the
crack of the door. sail:
They can't worry me more than am
worried, Mary. l don't say much, bu,
| feel ali our needs, no. for myself. but
for sou and the children 1t made nv
heart ache, little while ago. to hear
Willie ask If We could never have meat
Tor breakfast any more. and know that
there wasn't pound OF meat ia the
house,
Nor any sugar. either, and hardly
any -four, and not dime in the purse,
John, but for all that we won't starve.'
said tho little woman's CHEEKY voice.
Have you lost your faith, John p
NO, Mary. hope not camo the an
swer. But 1T does seem hard, when my
salary is so small it can't be paid, so we
could have a few comforts at least
Sometimes l think must give up here,
and try somewhere else
'Oh. no, no, John!' pleaded the
wife. Not yet, anyway We've got
such pleasant home here, and our PEG.
pie are 80 kind, don't give up vet. Let's
try on little longer, aud maybe help
Will come
We'll, don't know from whence.
Mary. I'm sorry to say SO. but Eve
lost heart lately. till I'm really not fit 10
preach. Ii the Lori don't help us, and
that soon. don't know who will
Ihen there was a sound Of q mans ris-
ing, and Squire Glover. feeling as If he
didn't want TO see his pastor just now,
up and slipped out before Parson Rowe
came in.
And when tue good Squire got safely
out of the gate his face was red, and he
was pulling for breath.
We'll! well God bless my soul !.
he painted, as he trot,ed on. Here's
pretty state of things! No meat. no
money, no shoes-why, God bless my
soul This must be looked after
Shall be, too! I'll sec the deacons, and
if they Won't. l will, out of my own
pocket, too, God bless my soul Tha;
brave little woman shall have some help
to keep up her husbands heart, or Iii
know the reason y
Racing along, flushed and excited, he
met Deacon Jones. He bad the deacon
by tue buttonhole in a minute, and af-
ter short consultation they both went
off to Deacon RObinson's.
And that afternoon there was MUCK
stir In GlenviIle, little groups constant
ly meeting and consulting in every
store. and on every corner. While the
day seemed to close in dark ard cheer
less in the parsons little cottage.
A fresh snow fell that night aud serv.
ed TO make noiseless the sleds which
drove softly up TO the ministers cottage
with the very first faint streak Of dawn.
The inmates Of the little dwelling were
all sleeping soundly, but one awake and
listening might have heard muiIIed foot
steps, whispers and cautions showing
and pushing Of heavy articles. These.
however, soon ceased. AMI all was quiet
until the day broke clearly and tho VIII
layers arose.
Tue weary parson and bis trno heart.
cd littlo wife had lain awake late the
night befO.e. for heavy bcarts make
sleepless eyes, and they slept a little
later than usual this morning
But at last tbey we're all up and
! dressed. The simple breakfast, consist
ing of coffee. warm biscuits and butter.
was nearly ready when Willie aud Lau-
"a took notion 20 run TO the front
door and see how deep the SNOW vas on
the front porch.
through the little parlor thcy trotted,
Willie first and Laura following, TO the
front door, which, with some litLlo trou
bic, they pulled open.
And the next minute the cottage rung
with their hasty shouts.
Pa pal mamma mamma do como q
here Come quick Run here 10 the