The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-06-30
she knew jus. how folks fel, wi,hou, being

she knew just how folks felt without being
told"
Ponkapawket was scandalized. 1t was
disgrace 10 the whole town to have a
woman holding forth every Sunday. and
drawing such crowds drawing half the
congregation away from the Ponkapawke;
church. too. The deacons requested Mr..
Ericsson 10 preach sermon from the
text, " Let your women keep silence in
the churches" Mr. Ericsson was known
to hold the woman's rights movement in
contempt; but ne had been twice 20 hear
Miss Barton preach. when there were no
services in his own church. and he had
also called upon her several times. and
the deacons conferred with him about
preac hing that sermon. they found il i'm
posi- Die 10 obtain any satisfaction he
WAS very polite. and he did not say that
he would not, bu; smilinsiy put the ques-
ton by.
one day he surprised Miss Barton by
inviting her to exchange pulpi,s for the
following Sunday: but tina, was in harves,
time. and she had come to Sorasg End
in June Even Ponkapawket had become
accustomed 10 the idea of a woman
preacher. il /; did no approve OF il.
He had found her on the piazza on
VAIN afternoon in late September. She
had large basketful of stockings beside
her. and was darning them diligently
Some were her own. some we're Adoniram
Hewi,ts and LysaEder 5. for Roxy had
gone away or visit. and Mrs. Hewi,i's
hands were more than full. She looked
a. L She had never aimed al any larger
sphere. The shadow of smile iickered
about Mr.. EnCsons mouth as he OBJ
served her employment. Although Miss
Barton looked up only as much As polite
ness required. she SAW the smile. and il
broush, flash TO her cheek Though
she looked so strong and resolu;e. i, was
evident that Miss Barton was keenly
sensitive. He sat down beside her and
Immediately protiered his request, per
haps i, an an,idote 20 tie smile
our people would be shocked They
don; approve of me- SAID Miss Barton.
And shoaldn; have The courage
never suspected yoe Of any want of
courage. said Mr.. Ericsson
am a dreadful coward / don:
think | fglv realized II when bean. Il
| had been sen; anywhere bai 20 sgtags
End. | don't know wha; should have
done Here they are simple minded
people. without strong preludltes. and
do seem 10 have found my WAY INTO ,hei,
hearts Bui ! am afraid should never
dare to enter another pulpit certainly
not yours a, ionkapawkei
You would soon conquer the Is YOU
have here. said Mr. Ericsson
i couldn't endure their unfriendlv
gaze should display ali my Woman
lshness. should blush. | should ,rein-
bic. might faint; | should be a stum-
bilng-block 10 the women who ard follow
ing IN the same pathway. dohst mean
10 BE that. My work In Serass End
sutfiees me, and | am so thankful for it. :"
am sorry You feel So abou, Fonka-
pa~ket. because | have proposition in
my mind much more audacious than the
one that made" said Mr.. Ericsson
Miss Barton raised her eyes inquiringly
and dropped them again instantly under
the ministers gaze.
~ thought We might unite the
churches. Mr.. Etiekson's voice ,rem-
bled little. as L he were afraid
don't see how i; could be done"
SAID Miss Barton. irgidy.
"Ot course there IS but one way. said
Mr.. Erickson. qt.ietly. : dared no, ask
Noa TO be my wife wiihoa, suggesting to
yon he iac, that yoGi work need not be
given UP.
The s.rl rose 10 her feet; Ivsander,
stocking fell from het hand ana was
blown away by the wind UNDECIDED :.
don't know what have done To- deserve
,hls-,his insult; though. that al leas,
you respected me, and though, my call
ing made me sacred from sueh-such at
tacks altogether.
= am sorry that you shoald think il
m Insult. can hardly see how a man
could give YOU :. bette, proof OF his re-
spect Than 10 ask YOU 10 become his wife
And as for your calling making YOU sa-
cred, we don, believe IN the celibaey of
the clergy. you know In spite OF hi,
evden, modification and distress. there
MAS a sly ,winkle IN Mr. Eriesons eve is
he said thai;
But II am Il woman said Miss
Barton. sitting down again. and covering
her face with her hands.
The more reason tina, YOU should be
married. said Mn Ericsson calmly.
ou need protector.
AIN perfectly sufficient, tor myself.
And shall never care tor anybody any
thing bu, my work.
Mr. Ericsson arose. ~ am sorry to
have troubled YOU. he said. gently. Il
love YOU. ard | have never known what
it MAS to love woman before ,ha, IS all
my excuse.
Miss Barton w,,ts he'd him as ne wen;
down the foad. with the yellow leaves
falling upon HIM. She observed. As She
had never done before. how finely his
head was set upon his rad shoulders,
wha, nanN grace there MAS III his
strong. well knit figure
bat he had no business IN love me
She SAID, drawing her bfows into ,ssh;
frowu
Then suddenly she remembered ~
sander stocking. and went Gown in the
grass ~ look Tor X. /, had blown over
the fence into the ned. She stretched
hey hepaa-b =.