Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-06-14
The Minister'S Surprise.

ONtlSptb ObVhcu thV boNS "
Parson Rowe's cottage one sharp, colo
morning, when heavy snow lay on the
ground.
Il was Squire Glover, one of the "pillar:
of the church." and he was coming to con
suit his parson concerning come church
matter. Just as he was about rapping al
the door it opened, and Willie Rowe came
out.
"Just walk right in, Squire, and sit
down." said Willie. "Pall be in directly
Away he ran, and the squire stepped in
and sat down in the little parlor, awaiting
the appearance of his pastor.
Presently he heard steps, and voices in
the ad Joining room, and then child's voice
said;
"Pa, Just look at my shoe. It's all ripped.
al think it is, Laura" answered the par.
sons tones. "Let me -perhaps-no, ii
is too worn TO be mended again."
"Well, pa, please, I'd like to have new
pair. Won't you get EN- for me ~
6" As soon as pa can he surely will, daugh
ter" said the father in sad tones abe good
and wait little, Laura"
al have waited ever so long," said Laura
"and Willie's shoes are worse than mine
and he hasn't got any mitttens, either"
Laura" interrupted voice which the
squire knew was Mrs. Rowes, "run and
feed your chickens, and don't worry papa
now"
The child ran out, and the parson, never
dreaming who was in the next room, hearing
every word through the crack of the door
said;
"They can't worry me more than I an
worried Mary. | don't say much, but
feel all our needs, not for myself but for you
and the children. 1t made my heart ache
a little while ago, TO hear Willie ask if We
could never have meat for breakfast any
more, and know that there wasn't pound Of
meat in the house,"
"Nor any sugar, either, and hardly any
flour, and not dime in the purse, John
but for all that we won't starve," said the
little womans CHEEKY voice. "Have you
lost your faith, John?"
"No, Mary, hope not" came the answer
"But it does seem hard when my salary is
so small it can't be paid, so we could have q
few comforts, at least. Sometimes | think
| must give up here, and try elsewhere"
"Oh, no, no, john pleaded the wife
"Not yet. We've got such pleasant home
here, and our people are so kind don't give
up yet. Let's try while longer and maybe
help will come"
dwell, don't know from whence, Mary
Pm sorry to say so, but I've lost heart of late
until I'm really not fit to preach If the
Lord don't help us, and that soon, don't
know who will" Then there was a sound
of mans rising, and Squire Glover, feeling
as if he didn't want to see his pastor just
now, got up and slipped out before Parson
Rowe came in.
And when the good squire got safely out
of the gate his face was red, and he was puff
fling for breath.
"Well, well God bless my soul |" he
panied as he trotted on. Here's pretty
state of things. No meat, no money, no
shoes-why, God bless my soul This must
be looked after-shall be, too I'll see the
deacons and if they won't, | will, out of my
own pocket, too, God bless my soul That
brave little woman shall have some help to
keep up her husbands heart, or I'll know
the reason"
Racing along, flushed and excited, he met
Deacon Jones. He had the deacon by the
buttonhole in minute, and after short
consultation they both went off to Deacon
Robinson's.
And that afternoon there was much stir
in Chenille, little groups constantly meeting
and consulting in every store and on every
and cheerless in the parsons little cottage.
A fresh snow fell that night, and served
to make noiseless the sleds which drove
softly up to the minister's cottage with the
very faintest streak of dawn. The inmates
of the little dwelling were all sleeping
soundly, but one awake and listening might
have heard mufiled footsteps, whispers and
cautious showing and pushing of heavy arti-
Giles. These, however, soon ceased, and all
was quiet until the day broke clearly and the
villagers arose.
The weary parson and his true-hearted
little wife had lain awake the night be-
fore, for heavy hearts made sleepless eyes,
and they slept little later than usual this
morning.
But at last they were all up and dressed.
The simple breakfast, consisting of coffee,
warm biscuits and butter, was nearly ready,
when Willie and Laura took notion to run
to the front door, and see how deep the snow
was on the front porch.
Through the little parlor they trotted,
Willie first aud Laura following, to the
front door, which, with some little trouble,
they pulled open.
And the next minute the cottage rung
with their hasty shouts.
"Pa pa mamma mamma do come
here Come quick Run here to the porch,
quick, both Of you'll"
Greatly surprised, and slightly frightened,
not knowing what had happened to the chill
dren, the good parson and his wife fastened
to the front door, upsetting the coffee-pot in
their haste to reach it.
What sight met their eyes No won.
der that the children shouted The snow
had been carefully swept from the front
porch, which was set out with a tempting
array of various articles. Right before the
door stood barrel of flour, on top of the
barrel were laid two juicy hams, and
astride the hams sat great fat turkey, all
dressed ready for cooking, at which Willie
and Laura set up great shout.
An open barrel beyond was running over
with plump red apples, and second barrel
full OF big comfortable-looking potatoes, and
a row of big crisp cabbage-heads kept guard
all round the barrel
Then there was box packed with pa.
pers of sugar, coffee, tea and rice, sack OF
dried peaches, and several cans of fruit
And another box when opened displayed
two new pairs of shoes, Just the right size
for Willie and Laura; sundry rolls of flannel
muslin and calico, warm stockings and nit
tens, and several small articles-not forget
eihB q ncii-illcu bdhhtl VI MUS anu CANDLES
which proved that somebody knew what
children loved, and which set Laura anC
Willie to dancing like little Indians.
In the bottom of the box was warm era,
shawl, with Mrs. Rowe's name pinned on it
And when the shawl was unfolded Their,
dropped out an envelope directed to Parsor
Rowe, inside Of which they found th,
amount Of the delinquent salary in gooc
new greenbacks, and card upon which wa
written:
viii our pastor accept the little surpris
gift which accompanies his salary, with TIN
love of grateful people Z"
ooh what pleasant, pleasant surprise +
cried Laura and Willie together.
"What wonderful mercy rather" sal,
the mother. "John, didn't tell you TIN
Lord would help us
Yes, Mary !" answered the pastor ale
us thank him for the mercies Of this morn
ing"
And in tie little parlor they all reverentl,
knelt, and never more fervent thanksgiy
ing went up than assembled from the lttl
circle in the parsons cottage that happ
winter morning.-Erchange.
SINCE Gods meroies are new every da
we can begin anew each day to serve hin
No matter how far backward we NAV hay
slipped yesterday let us take heart to-da
and 60 forward. Well will it be for us