The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-02-24
THE NEW PARSON.

THE NEW PARSON.
On the afternoon of fine summers
day, Miss Peckham donned her walk
ing wraps for the purpose of visiting
her FRIEND Miss Martin. They were
two fair spinsters of thirty-fve and
forty, and were always on hand to hear
any bit of gossip that might escape an
unguarded mouth, and in repeating it
were very apt to forget just what they
had heard the first time.
A month or six weeks previous to
the opening of my tale, new minister
had arrived in the neighborhood to take
charge of the little flock. He was a
tall, commanding individual, apparent
ly some thirty-fve Or forty years of
age. A short time after his arrival
he was followed by an elderly lady,
his housekeeper, who Immediately
busted herself in cleaning up the old
parsonage.
: While this was going on, the parson
y had taken up his abode with q family
by the name of Smith, who lived near
by. 1t so happened that Mr.. Smith
had q daughter by the name of Flora :;
sociables, and a great many other
entertainments, and the parson was
not much acquainted, Flora generally
accompanied him,
Miss Peckham Immediately asked
her friend how she liked the new
minister.
"Oh, / think he's just splendid! %
said Miss Martin. "Wasn't that a
smart sermon he preached last
Sunday?'
eyes, it was excellent replied
Miss Peckham. ''But did you notice
how Miss Hamilton kept her eyes on
him all the time How she did look,
with her hat pushed so far back on
her head! And it wasn't nothing but
mans hat pressed over, any way {!
l guess the parson didn't think she
had much Manners
"Well, / just tell you what it is,
Nellie Peckham, she hain't got much
manners nor sense either, so the par
son thought the truth about her. But
there's some he don't think the truth
:, about, I'm afraid,' continued Miss
, Martin, nodding her her head in a
knowing way and that is that tlirt
of @ Flora Smith. He's been going
with her ever since he has been here ;;
don't you know he has ?"
YES answered Miss Peckham.
81 have seen them together at every
meeting, and, in fact, everywhere the
parson goes she is with him. Now I
will tell you something that Mrs.
Clark told me but don't tell anyone,
because she told me not to. Mr.. Smith
is afraid she will marry that young
fellow by the name of Pratt, and SO
he has made up his mind to marry
her to the parsOn; and she said she
heard that they were engaged. Only
think of it! Only been acquainted a
month Or so, and are engaged ! A pre-
cious little Ounce he has chosen for a
future companion -
6 think sO,'' said Miss Martin;
land it's such pity, too, for him to
throw away the remaining part of his
life on such a worthless creature as
she is !! Don't you think so!''
Yes" answered Miss Peckham.
why didn't he choose some one near
er his own age-one who could SYM
pathize with him in his trials and
temptations-instead of that Wild
headed girl! Why, she has hardly
put on long dresses yet! Let me see
she was only seventeen when she came
home from boarding-school, and you
know that was early this spring. Only
to think Of her marrying him! Why,
d" she couldn't take care Of his clothes
or house either! And then she wears
all sorts of false fummery; and Mrs.
Clark said she heard that she painted,
too. But you mustn't mention this,
as she didn't aim for it to get out. 1t
is lots Of good the parson could do
preaching to people about their sins,
and have his own wife tending dances,
playing fast tunes on the piano, and
painting herself up in the style she
does! -
Saying this, the indignant Miss
Peckham wiped the perspirrtion from
her thin face, and with pious look at
her companion, turned mournfully to.
ward the window and was silent.
81 just more'n half believe re.
marked Miss Martin, ssthat the old
folks are to blame more than the Girl.
think it is too bad,'' she continued,
''for such a good man as he is to get
such tiy-aWay for wife
Have you seen that housekeepe1
that is cleaning up the old parsonage
so nice and trim!' said Miss Peck.
ham.
g Yes, and she looks awful cross and
old, replied her companion.
'sWell, then, Flora won't get along
with her, / can tell the parson ~ said
Miss Peckham with another pious
look. She wants folks to be full OF
fun all the time-and she's got such a