The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-08-05

He took her into the waiting-room,
and left her while he went to find her
valise. AS she came into the light, he
saw what he had felt when she spoke,
that she was a lady. She had pale
face, with smooth brown hair under her
widows cap; there was refined. spir-
itual character in the features, and an
expression of sadness in the gray eyes.
Altogether, Rev. Amos Dale found diff
Guilty in believing that this was one OF
the persevering book agents whom he
had always held in disfavor.
As they walked along the quiet road,
he carrying the valise himself, much
against her will, there being no convey
ance at the depot, he found that he
could not tell her that he should have
discouraged her coming if he had re-
ceived her letter in time, or that Fair
field if fair was not promising as field
for book agents. Someway he preferred
that she should feel herself welcome and
her way made easy.
Arrived at the parsonage, he was
pleased to see Hannah's grimness relax
little before Mrs. Payne's gentle voice
and smile. He was glad to see her en-
joy her cup of tea, and when. immedi-
ately after, she asked to be shown to her
room, and followed Hannah and her
candle up the winding staircase, he
was sorry she had gone quite so soon.
Nothing had been said of her mistake
with regard to his being married man.
He had found a certain awkwardness in
mentioning the matter, and so had left
it to explain itself. Mrs. Payne told
Hannah the next day that she had been
misinformed on the subject.
At breakfast Mr.. Dale frankly dis
cussed the outlook with his guest. He
told her that Fairfield was wholly
farming community, and that the farm
ers were not greatly given to buying
books. Moreover, he did not himself at
present own a horse, and it was wholly
impossible to hire one in the neighbor-
hood at this busy season.
To this Mrs. Payne replied, cheerful
ly, that she expected and was able to
walk, and would start Immediately after
breakfast.
Mr.. Dale offered to 90 with her to
some of the most promising places, but
this she declined gratefully, but with
quiet decision.
He then drew q rude map of all the
principal roads in Fairfield, with the
farm-houses where she would be likely
to be we'll received, and soon after she
started out bravely on her first days
campaign, copy of the Complete An
alytical Commentary under her arm
too heavy a book, thought the Rev.
Amos, for such little woman to carry.
He had put down his own name for
copy of that valuable work, taking lit
tie pains, after doing so, to put out of
sight copy of an earlier edition which
had stood for many years on his book
shelves. This he could give to the Sun
day-school library.
That evening Mrs. Payne had long
talk in the twilight with her host and
Hannah Breeze. She told a few simple
facts of her own history, which enlisted
their interest and sympathy for her more
strongly than ever. Her husband had
been a minister, of the same faith as
Amos Dale. Ten years ago he had died,
leaving her with baby girl. Through
the kindness of friends she had soon OBJ
tanned a position as clerk to Govern
ment official, and strange to say had re-
tanned it until few months ago, when
it had been taken from her by political
changes.
She could not wait for good situa-
ton to open-her little daughter, who
was now in a boarding-scho must be
supported as we'll as herself. The agency
for this book was suggested to her as
temporary shift until she could find
something better, and she had underta-
ken it. It was evident that she was full
of inconsistencies and anxiety for Rose,
her little daughter, whom she had al
ways kept with her before, but she
showed in all she said spirit of faith
and patient waiting, which the Rev.
Amos Dale found very refreshing to his
own spiritual experience.
During this conversation Mrs. Payne
proposed that she should find q board
ing place elsewhere, but upon this point
Mr.. Dale was firm; while she tarried in
Fairfield her dwelling was to be under
the parsonage roof, and Hannah added,
"You might as well stay where you be.
You don't make no trouble to speak of.
faint nothin' to put on an extra cup
and plate, and I always keep cooked
up"
This signifed that the stranger had
found favor in Hannah's sight in the
highest degree.
The days went on.
The first morning at prayers the Rev.
Amos Dale had prayed for grace and
for the stranger that was
within his gates" but after that the
heavenly benediction was asked upon
s'our friend who abides with US for a
season.
Each morning Mrs. Payne set out on
her wearisome round, uncomplainingly,
full of courage and hope. At night,
when she returned, she would tell over
to Amos Dale and Hannah the adven-
lures of the day, in quaint, merry way
of her own, which gave charm to the |
thing she told. On the whole |
she was succeeding in selling her books |
beyond her expectations; and the Rev.
Amos bethought him of MANY a road |
and district which she must not fail to |
visit, even if it did lengthen her stay in
Fairfield beyond her plan. He was sure
that tho nnro air and the nniot Of the