The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-21

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even If il is but church debt; and
after that is paid and we have any money
to spare, the heather in our own land
near our own doors, think, should be
looked after before we go across the seas
in search of new ones. l know such
opinions are not Christian, perhaps, sir
but that is what | honestly think; and
| thinking so, you see, Mr.. Jackson, | should
be regular hypocrite if joined any such
society as you propose to organize"
Mr.. jackson was wise man, and
practical one. He said;
"What you say, my dear Mrs. Brown,
surprises me greatly, but forbear to urge
you to become member OF anything
wherein your conscience would be troubled.
Still trust that, although you feel you
cannot give us the help and strength of
your presence, you will aid us little
financially. You know we shall need all
aid possible in that direction" he smiled
kindly.
This time feminine logic was greater
than the feminine heart, and the good
man was astounded when Mrs. Brown ex-
claimed
"Why, of course / won't Not cent,
sir How curious of you to ask me for
such thing Would you really, sir
you a minister of the gospel, take it from
me after what have just said to you ?
would you 2'
"Why yes" smiled Mr.. Jackson, good.
naturally. "Of course 1 would. The
cause is good, and you wouldn't miss the
money, and -
"Mr. jackson |" interrupted Mrs.
Brown Indignantly. "Allow me to say
thai do not think very much of you -
"Wha-wha-what2 p stammered the
minister. "You you -dont-don't--
Where is my hat, please, Mrs. Brown /
really am not very readily provoked; but
such remark as this, is really-really-
not to be received have the honor
the honor, ma'am," said the good man,
trembling with rage, to bid you very
| good afternoon p
And putting on his hat and grasping
his cane, the poor man let himself out at
the front door, while Mrs. Brown merely
stood still and let him 60. Once, for one
moment, she was tempted to call him back
and recant; but then," No - she thought,
/" l will be sincere, will be honest" So
Mr.. jackson left the house, hurt, wound
ed, Inundated, and not at all comprehend
ing how it all came about.
Mrs. Brown heaved sigh, and went up
stairs again.
al seem to have bad luck with my
callers" she thought.
just before supper time she went down
into the kitchen TO see if everything was
progressing as it should do. To her
surprise the kitchen was empty No
Bridget there And, worse than that,
the fire was out, and no sign at all of any
preparations for supper Where could
she be? She looked in the cellar, she
looked out in the back yard-no Bridget.
Puzzled and worried, she went upstairs
again.
"Mary," she said, " where's Bridget "
I'm her room ma'am, gettin' dressed,
Think" said Mary.
Mrs. Brown knocked at her bedroom
door.
"Bridget Bridget"
"Yis ma'am," answered Bridget, open.
ing the door. "Phat is it,"
"Oh-h Bridgetl' exclaimed Mrs
Brown. And well might she exclaim
for there was Bridget with her hair in
endless curls, and pink ribbon tying
them up, smiling and Sinking in a way
that, to Mrs. Brown, was maddening.
"Why-y, Bridgetr'
"Yis, ma am smiled Bridget. Doant
they look foine? ?"
} "Bridget," said Mrs. Brown, severely
spin those curls up and 60 right down
J and attend to your work. Don't you
know it's near six o'clock and the fires
all out ?"
"Dear mel" cried Bridget, lifting NJ
her hands in dismay. "You doant name
to tell me that ?"
} al do; just that; aud you'd better be
lively" said Mrs. Brown, angrily, turning
, to walk down stairs.
"Shure l won't be minute" sale
Bridget, excitedly; and not waiting tc
tuck up her curls or anything else, she
: slipped on her apron and went down tt
, the kitchen as fast as she could 60.
few miautes after six Mr.. Brown
returned to his home from business. IL,
walked in the front gate slowly, auc
when inside OF the house said good even
ing to his wife, in most 1ignifed man
ner. Going over to him timidly Mrs
Brown kissed him, as was her won't upor
! his return home. His face relaxed littl,
at this; but the anger of the morning
was still upon him, and he did not return
her kiss at all. With a sigh Mrs. Brown
took rocking-chair and sat down in it
!, Half-past six came and no supper. bell
Mrs. Brown slipped downstairs quietl,
and tried to hurry Bridget up. Sh'
found her busy, red-faced and Hurried
with her curls still in all their splendor
hanging round her neck. IN dom M
level best ma'am," she exclaimed: Ant
\ shure it can't be long, now, although i
3 always does take some time for thin Wig
, etables to cook, ma'am!"
, Mrs. Brown heaved sigh and wen
. up again. Silently she rocked to and fir
in the little arm chair.
8 Sarah" said her husband severely
; SIS supper never going to be ready ? Her
:. it's fifteen minutes past time, and In
most starved |"
I. "Yes, DEAR" answered his wife meekly
1t won't be very long now"
"What's the matter" he growled
. that it's so behind-hand ?"
"Bridget-Bridget stayed upstairs to
. long," faltered Mrs. Brown.
"Humph " said Mr.. Brown, as h
D., picked up his newspaper again.
At seven o'clock the supper-bell rang.
Q Luckily all went serenely. The vegets