The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-07-02
[From the Standard.l
HER STONY HEART.

the sewing circle, WHICH was nelu tnat
week at Miss Keziah Fletchers, that the
fruitful subject of Mrs. Denton's pecu-
harities was brought up for the fortieth
time. All the members, with the excep-
ton of the ministers wife, were present,
and every one of them had something to
say of the poor woman whose strange
ways had caused her to become quite a
curiosity in Brierville.
cts my opinion people are best left
alone" said Mrs. Prudence Randall, as
she bit off her thread little spitefully.
She's been a disgrace to the town
ever since she's lived III it, said Miss
Paulina Cowan. 81 must confess that
/ haven't any patience with such queer
ways"
"Poor thing! 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
dellrum tremens-"
Worthless sot she'd oughter have
been pleased to death ter get rid o. him, -
interrupted Miss Matte Baker, throwing
her scissors on the table near her with
considerable noise. "You won't get 40
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 year later her second boy
died of the typhoid. She'd only one boy
left, and that was her Oldest boy. She
set 50 much store by him. remember
seem her look at him Onct as if she
worshipped the very ground he trod on,
and"
"That's it." interrupted Mrs. Bliss,
whose husband was one of the "pillars
of the Methodist Church. "She thought
more of him than she did of her saliva
ton, and he was taken from her that he1
hard heart might be sOftened."
:" But it seems harder than ever" said
Mrs. Randall. "She won't listen &c
words of comfort, nor anything else.
No one can make any impression on her.
Miss Cowan here went to her and told
her that were all born under the rod
which chasteneth, and that her Edgar'd
been called from the evil to come
! What dye think Miss Denton did? She
! rose up In fury, and told Paulina she
preferred to be left alone"
eyes" giggled Miss Cowan, hyster
ically. "She'd rather have my room
than my company any day. Howsome
eyer, 1 don't bear her no hard feelings
L done what [ could for her."
1.-The minister's wife didn't get nc
better treatment" said Miss Baker
"She sat in Miss Denton's shanty mos
an hour talkin' of the mysterious ways
of Providence, and everything bein' 70,
our good, an all flesh being grass an(
so on. An Miss Denton she neve
spoke a word from first to last, but la,
/ on the sofy an shet her eyes, an neve
! even said goodbye when Mrs. Bounc,
went away. Such impertiucel An
went there, too. [ didn't want to be be
hind the rest in doing my duty, 1 told
! her about these Affections being sent TO.
our good; an she must bow her neck t.
the yoke an bend her back to the bur
den. She laughed at me! yes, she dom
! just that.
"She would't even see me, said Mrs
/ Peckham, a tall, sharp featured woman
with a shrill voice. 81 saw her at tn,
window, but she wouldn't open the door
no matter how load [ knocked But
scattered tracts all down the front walk
and l hope they did her COED"
"Miss Keziah, you amt been, I be
heve, - said Miss Baker. Well, don't 60
it's time wasted. Her hearts as hard a
! q stun.
"No," said Miss Keziah, laying dow
her work as she spoke, [ haven't beer
to see her. You know [ was away t
Helmstone when her Edgar had tn
fever, and since I've been back my rheu
matiz has been that bad couldntg go any
where. But now I'm trifie better II
take my turn.
"What is the use What can you do
Haven't we done everything 2" choruse
the other ladies.
Il think [ shall ask her to tea" sal
Miss Keziah, thoughtfully.
"Ask her to tea !! repeated half-a-d oze
astonished listeners.
eyes: none of you tried that, I be
lieve," answered Miss Keziah.
'She won't come" said Mrs. Bliss.
perhaps not; but al the sameit won
do no harm to ask her."
Il hope you'll try to soften her heart
and bring her to the prayer-meetil
Thursday night said Miss Cowan.
Miss Keziah made no answer; but
peculiar look crossed her homely, good
, natured faee--a look Miss Paulina iii
not quite understand.
"Miss keziahll be wise TO make Il
promises" said Mrs. Bliss. 1t stand
TO reason that she won't succeed wher
all the rest of US have failed. On
might as well talk to q stone as to Mrs
Denton"
Miss Keziah sighed, and bent her eye
: upon her work. She had known wins