Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-02-02
she rose in her seat she had the satisfac-

she rose in her seat she had the satisfac-
tlon Of seeing many Methodist and Con-
! gregationalists in the audience, and al
though she felt certain pride in think
ing that they came to hear her sing, she
felt happier at the thought that she was
to be the means of carrying out her
aunt's scheme.
That evening the Methodists had a
Sunday 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 a success.
And it was. More than fifty were in
attendance, which included every young
lady and gentleman in town. Aunt Bet
sey outdid herself in preparing the sup
per. Everything was perfect, even the
ice-cream from the city, which was a
great luxury to the villagers.
At IL 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.
A few days after the party, Miss Bal
ley was surprised to receive a visit from
Mrs. Bush, wife Of the Baptist minister.
They spent very pleasant hour to-
gether, 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 be-
tween the different sects was as 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 Bos-
worth she was by no means happy girl.
Her father was very strict man, and q
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 seclusion
till the time Of his death that she had
not seen Edward Bentley, nor did she see
him before she came to Bosworth. She
had written to her acquaintance. but
they only knew that he had graduated
from college and gone away.
About this time Mr.. Bush's health
failed; he asked for years vacation,
agreeing to fill the pulpit during his
absence. This leave was of course
granted, and the congregation were wait
ing anxiously for the new minister. All
they knew was that he was young man
and came from a church in the city of
Alliston, where he was the colleague of
Rev. DR.. Rowland, one of the most emf
nent preachers Of the Baptist persua-
sion. OF they expected something
OF more than ordinary ability, nor were
they disappointed.
But with the sermon we have nothing
to do. They wished to make a good
impression upon the minister, so Rosie
was sought out and invited to sing for
them. With her usual good nature she
at once accepted. Her position was
such that she could not see the minister
from where she sat, but when the choir
rose to sing she found herself standing
tace to face with Edward Bentley.
10 say that she was surprised would
not half express her feelings. She turn
ed first white, then red, and finally sank
back in her seat powerless to sing anote.
The minister, of course, knew nothing
OF this little affair Of the gallery, for the
singers went on with the anthem after a
moments hesitation, and by the time
they came to the solo, which Rosie was
to sing, she was ready to go on with her
part. AS her voice rang out clear and
soft, look of startled surprise was
noticed on the minister's face, and a few,
at least, of the congregation were aware
that something extraordinary had hap
i4o l..
solo sweetly to the end, but when the
minister arose to read the opening exer-
clses, some thought they observed
slight tremor in his voice. Only one in
the congregation knew why there was
such an earnestness in the prayer that
was offered for the bringing together of
friends long separated, most of them
thinking he had reference to the long
separation of the churches of the town,
When the services were ended he hur-
ried from the pulpit and met Rosie as
she came from the gallery. There was
a greeting that rather surprised those of
the congregation who saw it, but a few
words OF explanation from the pastor
set their minds right. and before night
the whole town knew that Rosie was the
affianced bride of Edward Bentley. the
the new Baptist minister, and that it was
a love affair of long standing.
Everybody wentto the wedding, which
was in the Congregational Church, and
everybody went to the reception at Miss
Bailey's, which was the grandest affair
Bosworth had ever known.
At the end of the year Rosie babe
farewell to the little town to go to her
city home. But even she, so far distant
from the little village, will ever have
pleasant memories of the assistance she
gave in the religious revolution of Bos-
worth through the enterprise of sixteen
old maids.