The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-08-11
MISS Pickett.

1t was wholly unaccountable. Hardly an
hour in the day but she REQUIRED to my
thoughts and at night she was present
i'll my dreams | sought in vain to find
q reason for this fascination. The very
mystery OF it gave me anxiety. Dickens
writes: eff there be tluds-as we know
there are-Which, conscious of a coming
wind, or rain, or frost, will shrink and
strive to hide themselves in their glass
arteries, may not that subtle liquor of
the blood perceive, by properties within
itself, that hands are raised to waste and
spill it, and in the veins of man run cold
and dull z" Would any such theory,
used to ask myself, explain the mystery
of the fascination Miss Pickett always eN-
erted upon me? Was it possible that in
the future her destiny might become in
volved in mine But how, and why
Let me explain our relative positions,
| was young clergyman in charge of a
large parish in Il thriving New England
city, and Miss Pickett was simply one
humble individual in a large congrega-
ton. She was much older than |. The
young people, especially the young ladies,
called her an old maid, and it must be
admitted that her very appearance sug
gested the epithet. She was small in
stature, very thin, and very plain. Her
dress must have been an heirloom from
previous generations. The old fashioned
bonnet, which was never changed to
meet the demands Of fashion, with high
crown and tIaring brm-the bonnet vuI-
look smaller than it really was: the young
people described it as "a pin in meet
ing house" An old-tashioned shawl
seemed to have some of the qualities Of
the modern India or "camel's- hair" in
that it was suited 10 all weathers: it
kept out the winters cold, and it kept out
the summers heat. She never appeared
in public without it. Miss Pickett was
very demure, and was modest to a pain
tul degree Of hashfulness. She seldom
spoke above a whisper. She never en-
gagged in conversation. She humhly an
sWered the questions as to her health,
and occasionally asked a similar question
in return. Miss Pickett was 4 constant
worshipper at church: never missed
her. Involuntarily, as | began service.
my eyes would glance toward her accus-
toned seat, and she was always there,
glide into her pew noseesSly. and as
noiselessly she would slip out, speaking
to no one, apparently noticing no one If
the day was stormy, and only few were
present, whenever | used the familiar
words Of the Prayer book, ''Where two or
three are gathered together | always
thought Of Miss Pickett, and felt as if the
prayer had been provided especially to
invoke blessing upon her constancy.
Miss Pickett's circumstances in life
were very humble. She lived in cham
bers, and the family was composed sim
ply of her mother and herself. never
knew Just how the expenses We're met.
She did a little sewing and little fancy
work, and sometimes | sent her anony-
mously a little gift that might help to pay
the rent. | called upon her only some
two or three times in the course of the
year. Our acquaintance never progress
ed beyond a certain point. She always
met me very politely, and then came the
usual order Of remarks, something about
the weather. inquiries about her own and
her mothers health, some little informa-
ton as to her own rheumatism or an oc
casional headache this was about
ALL Then would come painful pauses.
growing longer and more frequent, till at
last | would rise and bid her good day.
There was never any change in this
monotony. Miss Pickett never trusted
herself to speak about religion herpiety
was not on the surface. Once in a While
she would speak aword of commendation
Of some sermon had recently preached,
and instantly her face would crimson
with bushes as if ashamed or frightened
at her boldness and presumption.
Those chambers were wonderfully neat.
The old antique furniture shone with no
artificial polish. How bright the brass
candlesticks always looked on the high
shelf. and how the brass andirons and
the handles to the bureau drawers gleam-
ed and lit up the plain and homely room, !,
Miss Pickett seemed to have no circle of
acquaintance; | never knew Of any one
calling on her; and so her humble life
moved evenly on, alternating regularly
between her chambers and her church.
What was it, then, in Miss Pickett that
so fascinated me- Why was she so con-
stantly in my thoughts. | never went
out on my daily round Of calls but con-
sidercd the possibility of meeting Miss
Pickett. | never went to church without
the thought whether Miss Pickett would
be there. She haunted me, she worried
me, and this went on for years. At length
there came some lighting up of the mys-
terry, but with little alleviation of the
anxiety and worry.
one morning, as my door-bell rang,
the servant came to my study and hand
ed me a card-"AIrs. Kimberley; pri-
vate interview desired Important
Immediately the caller was shown in.
Mrs. Kimberley was one of those ladies
to be found in every congregation. She
was the wife of one Of the principal Off
GERS Of the pariSh-active in all good
works, very Jealous in visiting the poor,
prominent in the Sunday school, the
president of several charitable societies,
and generally, in the parish and in the
city, recognized leader in all benevo-
lent enterprises. 81 have called, Mr.
Smith, she began at once, ''upon mat
ter of considerable Importance, which re-
quires your advice and decision. |
ought to apologize for coming in the
forenoon; and if you cannot attend to
me now, will you appoint later hour in
the day, for really the matter is very Sc
rious, and must be settled to-day.
have called for Miss Pickett"
started involuntarily. Was Miss
Pickett in trouble? | thought. Mrs.
Kimberley looked very grave, and yet l
imagined | detected just a little twinkle
in her eyes but :eplied at once: "My
dear Mrs. Kimberley, the present hour
shall be at your service. know you
would not call at this time except upon a
matter of Importance and, besides,
have always felt deep and unaccounta-
BILE interest in Miss Pickett, and shall be
only too glad if can render her any ser
vice"
"Thank you, Mr.. Smith," said Mrs.
Kimberley. "The story is a long one,
and must begin at the beginning, and
so far as | can, will give the whole thing
in Miss Pickett's own words. You know,
Mr.. Smith, how quiet and reserved Miss
Pickett always is, seldom speaking above
| IL &,