Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1881-07-14
HER STONY HEART.

IL was ON the occasion of n meeting
of the sewing circle, which was held
that week at Miss Keziah Fletcher's,
that the fruitful subject of Mrs. Den
toms reculiarities was brought up for
about the fortieth time. All the mem
bers. with the exception Of the minis
ter's wife were. present, and every one
of them had something 10 say of the
poor woman, whose strange ways had
caused her 10 become quite curiosity
In Brierville.
"Its my opinion such people are
best left alone" said Mrs. Prudence
Randall, as she bit of her thread n lit
tie spitefully.
''She's been n disgrace 10 the town
ever since she's lived in IT," said Miss
Paulina Cowan. 81 must confess that
haven't any patience with such queer
ways"
"Poor thingi she's seen a sight of
trouble" said Miss Keziah, who was
ever ready TO pour OIL ON the troubled
waters. "First, her husband died of
delirium tremens-"
WORTHLESS sot she'd OuRhter have
been pleased 20 death 10 get rid o.
him." interrupted Miss Matte Baker.
throwing her scissors on the table near
her with considerable noise. "You
won't get no pity for her out o. that,
Miss Keziah."
"Then she lost her two little girls
with scarlet fever" continued Miss
keziah, unheeding the interruption,
"and only n year later her second boy
died of the typhoid. She'd only one
child left then, and that was her Oldest
boy. She set SO much store by him.
remember seeing her look at him onct
MS II she worshipped the very ground
he trod on, and"
"That's H." interrupted Mrs. Bliss,
whose husband was one of the pillars
I'm the Methodist church. "She thought
more Of him than she did of her saliva
ton, and he was taken from her that
her hard heart might be softened."
"But 10 seems harder than ever"
said Mrs. Randall. "She won't listen
10 words of comfort, nor anything else
No one can make any impression on
her. Miss Cowan here went TO see her
and told her how we were all born to
pass under the rod which chasteneth,
and that her Edgar'd been called from
the evil TO come What dye think
Mrs. Denton didP She rose up like a
fury and told Paulina she preferred TO
be left alone"
EYES" giggled Miss Cowan, hysteri-
cally, "She'd rather have my room than
my company, any day. IIowsomever,
II IArtN hsenW 1a.s - g.,lt.f.
done what could for her"
"The minister's wife didn't get no
better treatment" said Miss Baker.
"She sat In Mrs. Denton's shanty most
am hour talking of the mysterious ways
of Providence. an everything bein' for
eur good, an all flesh being grass, and
so ON. An Mrs. Denton, she never
spoke word from first TO last. but lay
ON the sofy with her eyes shet, and
never said goodbye when Mrs. Bounce
went away. Sech impertinencei An
went there too. 1 didn't want 10 be
behind the rest of the folks in doin' my
duty. told her about these afflic-
tions bcirg sent for our good; an she
must bow her neck 10 the yoke and her
back 30 the burden. She laughed at
mel yes. she did just that"
~She wouldn't even see me-" said
Mrs, Peckham, tall, sharp-featured
woman with n shrill voice. 81 saw
her at the window. but she wouldn't
open the door no matter how loud
Knocked. But 1 scattered tracts all
down the front walk. and hope they
did her good"
"NIiss Keziah. you amt been, be-
lieve." said Miss Baker. "Well, don't
go; It's time wasted Her hearts as
hard rs n stun"
'No.Asaid Miss Keziah, laying down
her work rs she spoke. 81 hayn't been
tO SEQ her. You know / was away 10
Helmstone when Edgar had the fever.
and since I've been back my rheumatic
has been that bad / couldn't 90 any
where But now I'm trine better.
III take my turn"
"What Is the use2 What can YOU do ?
Haven't we done everything ?" chorused
The other ladies'.
II think l shall ask her 10 tea" said
Miss keziah, thOughtfully.
ASK her tear repeated half-a-dozen
astonished listeners.
"1es, noneOf you tried that. I Ia.
heve' answered Miss Keziah.
"She won't come" said Mrs. Bliss.
ferhaps not; but all the same, 4.
won't do no harm 10 ask her."
II hope you'll try and soften her
neaat and bring her 10 prayer-meetin'
Thursday night" said Miss Cowan.
Miss Eeziah made no answer: but q
peculiar look crossed her homely. rood
natured lace a look Miss Pauline ala
not quite understand.
Miss keziah'll be wise TO make M
promises, said Mrs. Bliss. cit stand,
70 reason that she won't succeed wherr
all The rest OF US have failed. ON,
might ~ well talk to a stone as Mn
Denton"