Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-02-17
NO. Al.
Gales ano Skettbes.
IlP'S MINISTER.

plpeu cuu ; Snflit voice from tNe HoyloIt
in the barn where she was hunting eggs.
ITO fetch pail of water. Jack fell
down and broke his crown. and Jill
II Buds own name had been Jill she
could not have come ''tumbling af(cr."
any more speedily than she did. \ board
tilted. her feet slipped. and in a moment
she was sitting on the floor below. For
tunately 4 quantity OF hay had fallen with
her. so there was no broken crown or
crushed bones; but her dignity was con-
sideIably Jared, and glancing around to
see whether any one had witnessed the
mishap, she discovered Kip looking out
toward the road from a door at the farther
end of the building.
Kip Grail what makes you stand
there for?" she demanded. severely.
"fm a-watching my minister" ans
wered Kip slowly.
1t is not every bov who owns n minister
all by himself. but Kip spoke rs if nobody
else had any claim upon this one; and as
he seemed to have noticed neither her tone
nor her downfall, Bud regained her chub-
by feet. shook the hay from her yellow
curls. and going to Kip's side, looked Gu
riously fter the slightly grcy-haired man.
in clothing somewhat worn, who was
quietly picking his way along the road.
Her blue eyes discerned nothing remark
able. and she turned away disappointed.
"lIo. Why he's everybody's minister;
he ant YOURS"
Kip knew better than that. Did not he
remember who always knew him. and
stopped to shake hands and say, ''Ilow do
YOU do. Christopher?'-an name that made
him feel nearly as big rs ANYBODY. And
who always asked after his mother? And
did not forget when he told him little Rob
was sick? The people in the house
hitched up their sleek horses and nice car
riage. and drove two miles to the city
church every Sunday; but Kip, with
frcckled face shining from soap. head wet
and combcd ill not a hair could stir from
its place. and red hands thrust into his
pockets. trudged whisting over the hill
to the little frame church where most Of
the people from the struggling villages
and the neighboring farms gathered.
$50 he is my minister" said Kip stout
ly as he considered the matter.
He would have liked to share the
honor that day, however with the inmates
of the large comfortable farmhouse: for
they were really the most prosperous fam
lily in the village. while he. only distant
relative. was "chore boy and generally
useful" as he phrased it. And there was
to be "donaiion party at his minister's
home that very evening.
"If they'd just give something hand
some ~ he said to Nancy the hired girl.
who was busy in the kitchen.
"Thev won't never think of II no
more n than they will of flyin' - replied
Nancy dexteriously turning fspjack.
and the subject also, by requesting Kip to
'run for an armful of wood"
Somebody always wanted wood or
water. or something from the celler. or
something from the attic, whenever Kip
was in sight. But he scarcely thought OF
the constant calls that morning. so full
was he Of other thoughts. Nancy might
dispose of the question carelesslv, but he
could not He was connected with the
house. and he felt the honor of the house
was involved. Beside. he wanted his
minister well treated and he knew-few
knew better than Kip-how sorely
the "somethng handsome was needed
at the shabby little parsonage. lie did
not mean they should ''never think of it,
rs Nancy had said he would remind
them by bringing up the subject naturally
and innoeently in some way.
So he fingered in the room n few min
utes after breakfast. while Mr.. Mitchell
was gathering up the dishes. and Mrs.
Mitchell consulting the almanac. He
coughed once or twice. ard then staring
straight ont OF the window, observed az
follows:
There goes our big rooster! He is
most as big as q turkey, ant he, Aunt
Ann? Turkeys always make me think Of
Thankngivings. Christmasses, donations
and such things oh yes there Is going
to be donation down to the minister's
to-night-'
Kip considered that veay delicately and
neatly done,
''Eh? WHAT" said Mrs. Mitchell. paying
no attention except to the last sentence.
"Who's going to have donation?''
Down to the ministers. :" repeated Kip.
.Everybody'll take 'em things, you know
flour and potatoes and wood-some-
thing handsome, l hope-thc folks that
can ford to-
That was another masterly hint. Kip
chuckled to himself at his success in man.
aging his self appointed task but his spir-
its sank with Mr.. Mitchel's first words.
"Wel!. now. don't know as approve
of that way The folks here can do as
they please--it's no affair of mlne-but
seems to me it's better to pay man de-
cent salary, and let him buy his own
things
Don't know as / prove of that way
either soliloquized Kip Indignantly
when he found himself alone behind the
woodpIle. Don't know as / prove of
folks giving me their old clothes, ''looking
down at his patched knees. Seems to me
'twould be better to pay me decent wages
and let me buy my own clothes. But see-
in they don't, these trowsers are better'n
none; and guess if Uncle Ralph had a
sick wife and three or four children he'd
think donation party was good deal
better nothing"
Ideas that found their way into the brain
under Kip's thatch of light hair were sure
to stay, and the cows. the chickens. and
the wood-pile heard numerous orations
that morning-all upon one subject.
Now, if owned all these things, do
you s'pose I'd go off to the big city church
every Sunday, and wouldn't go down now
and then to see what was a-doin' for the
poor folks round here? And when went.
don't you s'pose I'D see how his coat was