The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-11
The Strawberry Festival.

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had weighed on Deacon Shsrp's mind for
several weeks, and he did not see how the
amount was to be made up; but Mrs.
Sharp was sure that handsome sum
could be realized from strawberry festi
val; Strawberries we're plenty. and she
knew all of the ladies would take hold of
the matter with will.
Now, Sister Sharp was leader in our
church. and If any one could carry an
undertaking to raise money successfully
through, she could. So, on Monday morn
ing, after the washing was all out on the
line, she went over to call upon Sister
Lenox, and talk up the festival business
After the usual Introductory chit-chat
about the weather, etc. Mrs. Sharp began
Sister Lepox. husband says we are
good deal behind on our PASTORS salary,
and have come over to talk up the mat
ter with you; and don't you think we
can get up strawberry festival, and
make some money to amply on our pastors
salary? Other churches do it, and /
don't see whv we can't; surely we are Just
as capable of getting up church festivals
as our neighbors are"
"Well," replied Sister Lenox 1--WE do
need some money very badly, no doubt,
but never could see much real profit in
festivals; and besides, don't believe our
pastor favors festivals very much. How
ever, l am willing to do my share, If it is
thought best to make the ATTEMPT
"Our pastor ought not to object" re-
piled Mrs. Sharp. "since the festival is to
raise the money for him; and if the IA
dies will only take hold of the matter in
earnest, am sure he will not oppose them"
This was the beginning Of long series
of talks and planniugs, which resulted in
convincing about three-fourtbs of the Ia
dies in the church that strawberry festi-
val must be given in the church parlors.
The pastor was waited upon by a commit
tee of ladies. and after some hesitation. he
withdrew his COLLECTIONS on principle"
and read notice from the pulpit, request
ing all the ladies of the church and con-
gregation to meet on Tuesday afternoon
at two o'clock, to make arrangements for
strawberry Festival and Social" to
be given at the church one week from
next Thursday evening.
The ladies responded to the call quite
generally. and the entire afternoon was
consumed in appointing the several COM
mittees. This was no easy matter,
for very few seemed willing to take the
place assigned them and some " feeling"
was manifested on the part of some be.
cause Sister A was placed at the head of
certain committee, instead of Sister B.
etc. All the necessary business could not
be transacted at this first meeting, 80 the
meeting was adjourned to meet at the
close of the ladies' praver-meeting on
Wednesday afternoon. But when the la.
dies gathered for the usual prayer-meet-
ing, it was evident that the subject which
weighed most heavily upon their minds
was not Z" the conversion of the heather"
which had been chosen for the subject of
the prayer-meeting, but the forthcoming
strawberry festival so the prayer-meeting
was turned at once into business meet
ing, to complete arrangements for the
festival. On Wednesday evening our reg
ular church prayer-meeting is held, and
here also the festival occupied most of the
thought of the ladies especially. The
matter was vigorously discussed before
the meeting, and the pastor was requested
to make the prayer-meeting as short as
possible, and to omit the usual teachers
meeting after the prayer.meeting, in order
that the ladies might confer together in
regard to the festival.
On Sunday, after the morning service
little companies of ladies were gathered
here and there over the church, not
transacting business, of course, but only
just mentioning some things about the
festival, and making few requests OF
the sisters who lived in the country, and
had not been able to attend the business
meetings. A notice was read from the
pulpit both morning and evening, invit
ing and urging I" all to attend the straw
berry festival; admission free, and straw
berries and cream only fifteen cents q
dish" On the following Wednesday
afternoon the ladies found it impossible
to talk or think of any other subject
than the forthcoming festival. Many Of
the committees had not been successful
members of others had resigned, and va
rious difficulties had to be adjusted
which required all the time and atten
ton of the ladies on Wednesday after
noon, and also very nearly occupied thu
time of the evening prayer-meeting again
On Thursday morning committee o.
ladies waited upon the pastor and be
sought him to lend helping hand. Tit
men were all so busy that no one could b.
found to see about preparing suitable ia
ploo, Bot1iuB tho stoFo III Oruer, eIC., eJC
Moreover, a variety of dishes wer,
needed, and the committee of ladies wer,
"just sure that the merchants would no
hesitate to lend dishes for the festival, i
the pastor asked for them" Thes
appeals could not be refused, and tn
pastor very soon found himself employed
for the day.
Early in the afternoon two or tire
ladies came TO the church, and immedi
ately began to talk rather severely o
those who had not yet put in an appear
ance. Sister Sharp had been tried in 81
many ways since the arrangements TO
the festival had commenced that he
stock of patience was well-nigh exhausted
It's Just as predicted" said she. !
few of us must do all the work, while tn
others simply come in and share tn
honors."
That's true" responded Sister Sin
mons, and I, for one, am about tired @
being drudge for this church. CUES
it won't hurt Mrs. Peters to come her
and work DO more than it will me, even
she Is rich"
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