Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-20
Gales and Sketfbes.
SIXTEEN OLD MAIDS.
Continued from Yesterday. J

!
Miss Rose more to herself than TO her
aunt.
I'VE don't survive. we merely exist.
The town has been worse than dead ever
since have been here, and we maiden
ladies' have been trying to do something
to improve it,"
II think. auntie, you have done we'll,
hut you have started at the wrong end.
Let me try and help you?"
Certainly you can. have hoped ever
since / got your letter. that you would
help US in some way when you came
DO whatever you wish and | will lend all
the aid in my power.
Rosie did not untold her plan to her
aunt, but ut once began to carry it out.
The next Sunday saw her at the Congre-
gatioisal church dressed in the most be-
coming manner, and every one pronounced
her the prettiest girl they had seen. After
church, she went to the Sunday school.
learning the names Of all the young ladies
and gentlemen near her own age. Next
Sunday she was at the Baptists. attend
ing both church and Sunday school. And
the next was devoted to the Methodist So
ciety
Then there was a stir. Miss Rosie An
derson was going to give party at her
aunt's Miss Bailey's) residence and had
sent notes Of invitation 10 all the young
people Of the town, without regard to
sect The invitations were given out a
month before the time Of the party, so
that every one had chance to talk it
over, as Rosie said, and get their minds
made M. The Sunday following the Civ
ing out Of the invitations. the soprano at
the Baptist was sick. and the fact not be-
ing known till nearly time for meet
ing no one could be found to sing. Rosie
was present and when she heard Of the
difficulty volunteered to sing for them.
The leader gladly accepted her offer. not
stopping to think what the good people
would say when they saw Congregation
ais: in their choir.
When they rose TO sing the opening
piece, Rosie stood in full sight OF the con-
gregation The minister looked Mortified,
while the deacons covered their faces
with their hands to think that the Baptists
should get so low as to allow Congre-
gationalist to sing in the sanctuary. But
when she sang the solo which fell to her,
the hands dropped from the. faces of the
deacons. and the expression of the min
ister's face changed to extreme pleasure.
Rosie was beautiful singer. and as her
voice rang out clear and soft, the organist
forgot to play. so enrapt was she in the
singer. and Rosie carried the part through
without the aid of the organ. Never be-
fore had any of them heard such voice,
ami they could hardly wait for the time to
come for her to sing again. She did not
sing alone again that day but when she
came down from the gallery the minister
took her by the hand and said:
Miss Anderson, YOU have contributed
much to the good of the services of the
afternoon. and am very much obliged to
YOU for it,"
think when anyone has talents, they
should be used for the benefit of all who
may need them"
"My idea of it exactly.' said the min
lister. and the two walked out of the church
aud down the street together. Meeting
Miss Bailey near her residence, Mr.. Bush
was introduced to her. and complimented
her upon having such a pleasant and ac-
complished young lady in her family; he
hoped that he might have the pleasure Of
seeing both the ladies present occasional
ly at his church.
Rosie sang again ut the Baptist church
the next Sunday. as the regular singer
was not well enough to attend. When
she rose in her seat, she had the satisfac-
ton OF seeing many Methodists and Con-
gregationalists in the audience. and al
though she felt certain pride in thinking
that they came to hear her sing. she felt
happier at the thought that she was to be
the meaus of carrying out her aunt's
scheme.
That evening the Methodists had a Sun
day school concert and Rosie played their
organ She was now on the best of terms
with all the young people of the village.
and had no doubt that her party would be
4 success.
And it was. More than fifty were in at
tendance. which included every young
sey outdd herself in preparing this sup
per. Everything was perfect. even the
ice cream from the city. which was
great luxury to the villagers.
At twelve O'Clock the party broke up.
and Rosie by her managing sent several
of the Methodist maidens home with the
Baptist beaux. and otherwise mixed up
the sects and sexes at her WILL
few days after the party. Mrs. Bailey
was surprised to receive visit from Mrs.
Bush, wife of the Baptist minister. They
spent very pleasant hour together. when
they were interrupted by Mrs Deacon
Wilson. of the Methodist church. and
both ladies remained to tea. The ice was
now broken. and calling between the diff
ferent sects was rs common as though it
was not new thing for Bosworth
Everything now working to Rosie's
satisfaction she had time to think of
her own troubles. When she came to
Bosworth, she was by no means happy
girl Her father was very strict man.
and n young gentleman to whom she was
quite partial had not found favor in his
eyes. much to the mutual grief of the
young people. Her fathers sickness had
been quite long. and so close was her Sc
clusion till the time OF his death. that size
had not seen Edward Bently, nor did sic
see him. before she came to Bosworth.
She had written to her acquaintances but
they only knew that he had graduated
from college and gone away.
About this time Mr.. Bush's health
tailed he asked for years vacation.
agreeing to fill the pulpit during his alb.
sence. This leave was of course granted
and the congregation waiting anxiously
for the new minister. All they knew was
that he was \ young man and came from