The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-01-27
Selected story.
The Minister'S Surprise.

the gate of Parson Rowo's cottage one
sharp, cold morning when heavy snow
lay upon the ground.
II was Squire Glover, ons OF the
"pillars of tho church" and he was
coming TO consult his pastor concern
ing some church matter. Just as he
Was about rapping at the door It open.
ed, and Willie Rowe came out.
Just walk right in, square, AMI sis
down" says Willie. "Pa'lI be in direct
| ly."
Away he ran, and the squire stepped
in, and sat dcwn in tho little parlor,
waiting the appearance Of his pastor.
| Presently ho heard steps and voices
in the adjoining room, and then
ehild's voice said
PA, just look at my shoe. It's all
ripped"
Il think il IL, Laura" answered The
parson's totes LET me see--perhaps
no, il II too worn 10 bo mended
again.
well, pa, please, 10 like To have a
new pair. Wont you get 'em for
mo r
as soon AS pa can, ho surely will,
daughter" said the father, in said tones.
"Be good and wait little, Laura
81 have waited, ever 80 long" said
Laura, "and Willies shoes arc worse
than minc, and he hasn't got any nit
tens, either"
"1aura," interrupted voice which
tho squire knew Was Mrs. Rowe's,
"run and feed your chickens, aud don't
worry papa nov"
The child ran out, and the parsoa,
never dreaming who was IN the next
room, hearing every word through the
crack Of the door, said
''Thsy can't worry me more than |
am worried. Mary. l don't say much,
but feel all our needs, not for myself,
Lu. for you and the children. Il made
ny heart ache, little while ago, to
hear Willie ask il NO could never have
meat for breakfast any moro, aud
know that there wasn't a pound Of
meat in the house
"Nor any sugar, either, and hardly
any ilsar, and not n dime In tho purse,
John, but for all that We won't starse,"
said the little womAn's CHEEKY veiss.
Have you lost your faith, John 7
"No, Mary, hope not, came tho
answer. "But it does seen bard, when
nv salary is so small il cant bs paid,
so We Gould have n few comforts al
last. Sometimes / think ] must gire
up here, aud try somewhere else.
"ob, no, ne, John T pleaded the
wife. "Not yet, any way. We've got
such pleasant home here, and eur
people are so kind, don't give up yet.
Let's try on Il little longer, aud maybe
; help will come"
"Wsll, | don't know from wheace,
Mary. I'm sorry To say 30, but lye
loat heart, lately, till I'm really not ft
to preach. If the Lord don't help us,
asd that soon, l don's know who will =
Then there was a sound Of n mans
tising and Squire Glover, feeling as il
he didn't want to see his past or just
now, up and slipped out before Psrson
Rowe came in.
And when tho good squire got safe
ly out Of the gate bis face was red, and
40 was putting for breath.
"Well we'll God bless my soul +
i he painted, rs he trotted on. "Hers's
I = pretty state Of things No meat, no
money, no shoes-why, God bless my
soul | "I'll see the deacons, and il
= they won't, will, out Of my own pock
ct, too. God bless my soul Tha'
! brave little woman shall have some
r help to keep up her husbands heart, o.
I'll know the reassn p
Racing along, flushed and excited
= he met Deacon Jones He had the
deacon by the buttonhole and in 8
minute, after short consultation they
both went off to Deacon Robinsons.
And that afternoon there was much
stir in Glcnville, little groups constant
ly meeting and consulting in ever
store and on every corner. While th'
day seemed to close in dark and cheer
less in the parsons little cottage.
A fresh snow fell that night ant
served to make noiseless the sled
which drove scflly up to the minister
: cottage with the very first faint streal
of dawn. The inmates of the it'll
: dwelling were all sleeping soundly, bu
one awake and listening migEs hav
! heard nuffled footsteps, whispers an
+ cautious showing and pushing Of heav.
: articles. These, however, soon ceased
? aud all was quiet until the day brok
r clearly and the villagers arose.
The weary parson and his true-hear
!. ed little wife had lain awake late th
night before, for heavy hearts max
: slespless eyes, and they slept littl
later than usual this morning.
But at last they were all up an
dressed. The simple breakfast, cor
sisting Of coffee, warm biscuits and bu'
ter, was nearly ready, when Willie an
Laura took notion to run to the fror
door and sec how deep the snow wa
on the front porch.
ThYouoh tha little narlor thew Lro