Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-19
Gales ann Skettbfs.
sl1fRRy OLD MAIDS.


Baptist and Methodist, while handful of
Unitarians gathered occasionally at the
town hall. and a few Adventlsts went TO
the next village, five miles distant to wor-
ship. The three first mentioned societies
were ~ distinct from each other a. black
Is from white. Not only were they not on
visiting terms with each other. but the
three stores showed that they did not even
trade together. The Oldest inhab.tant
could not remember when this was not 50,
but tie time had come for revolution.
and with this our story has to do.
Miss Betsey Bailey, an elderly maiden
lady. was sitting alone in her quiet home,
when all at once she broke out with:
well. I do declare! Here we be n
living alone in this heathenish way year
after year. and we consider ourselves
Christians. It's shame that five hun
bred people can't live together in har-
mony when so many Of us are church
members"
The cat. which was sleeping quietly in
Betsey's lap. jumped down and ran to the
further end of the room. tor Miss Betsey
had ggesticula,ed in that direction in such
a manner as 10 inflict quite a rap upon the
sleeping tabby.
well, declare said Miss Betsey.
IF didn't get so eloquent that scared
the cat. I think must have been born
for female orator"
After this she sat back in her chair. APP
parently asleep, bnt she was not, her
mind was busy over a plan which she
meant TO put into immediate operation.
It was very late that night when she came
to final decision. and Of course she must
wait ill morning before she could begin.
~ excited had she become over the mat
ter that it was long past midnight before
she retired. and then il was not to sleep
Early next morning she called on her
most intimate acquaintance and neighbor
Miss Sarah jenkins.
Sarah, I've got "a notion, and it's 20
seldom that am ever troubled with such
a thing that had to come right over and
tell you before lost it. Do YOU feel able
this morning to grasp one of the grandest.
noblest and brightest ideas the world has
ever pondered on? ~
why Betsey, for land sake. don't scare
body to death. You are not going to
set the river afire. are YOU ?''
mot quite so bad rs that, | hope; but
il we don't turn this town upside down in
three months. my name isn't Betsev.
I'VE? hope You don't mean to include
me in this grand scheme"
But | do. You are the very one |
want for my right hand man"
The idea of an old maid like me lend
ing aid to the grandest. noblest-"
"IIold on. Sarah. don't repeat that SEN
tence. please the very walls have ears,
and would not have word of this get
g., x,nrl1 III IN a.
is to listen to me. and when you've heard
my story you'll agree with me to the let
ter; if YOU don't WON'T ask you to help
me bit. Just hand me your knitting and
I'll knit and talk: was in such hurry
to get here this morning that forgot my
work. | can't talk though, unless am
doing something"
Betsy then proceeded to lay the scheme
before her friend, who. when she had con-
cluded. not only agreed to help her. but
offered some very valuable suggestions.
which were earnestly grasped by Betsy.
So eager were they with their plans that
the noon hour slipped by. and three o'clock
came before either of them thought of din
ner.
Next morning Betsy and Sarah were
together again, this time prepared for a
walk. Both these ladies were Congrega-
tionalists. and many of their neighbors
were surprised to see them stop at the
house OF Eliza Simmons one OF the staunch-
est sisters of the Methodist persuasion. 1t
couldn't have been over an hour before
the town was alive with the news.
The Orthodox were shocked. the Meth
odists opened their eyes in wonder. while
the Baptists stood aloof in dignifed silence.
For one whole day the people talked of
nothing but this breach of sectarian eti-
quette. Tie next day they had something
else to talk about
These three ladies in company with
Margaret Stiles. another Methodist sister.
called upon the West sisters. Mary and
Martha, two of the leading ladies
of the Baptist society. They not
only called but they STAYED all the
forenoon and took dinner
This was on Saturday. On SUNDAY
those six ladies occupied Miss Bailev's
pew in the Congregational church. The
little flock was so astonishcd that they
paid hut little attention to the sermon. and
the minister went with the feeling that
not dozen in the whole congregation
could tell what his text was.
Bosworth was now in state of intense
excitement. Such n thing had never hap
pened before. Many of the Congregation
alists called or Miss Betsev and on Miss
Sarah. but all they could find out was
that the ladies went with them by special
invitation.
On Thursday night the six ladies at
tended class-meetiug at the Methodist
vestry. Not only that. but Miss jenkins
and Miss Martha Stiles both took part in
the meeting.
What was to be done Something. GER
tainiy. tor this state things could not
exist long. The Baptists visited the
Misses Stiles. but all the information they
could get was that they went to both
places by invitation. aud that Martha felt
moved to speak at the latter place. and
did so. And the Methodists were no wiser
for having called upon the erring sisters,
The next Tuesday saw more mixing of
the sects. and Monday night there was
gathering at Miss Beiseys residence of
all the ladies engaged in the conspiracy.
Sixteen ladies were present. and-was it
chance all were maiden ladies of fifty
years and over. From this time forward
there was great intimacy between these
ladies. In vain they tried TO induce others
10 join them: at the end of three months
their band still numbered only sixteen.
Betsey and Sarah talked the matter