The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1883-11-29

meeting to-day, but we usually 90. II
you are able to walk in this snow, when
you get into the city, you will find a
church on the right-hand side, this very
road straight ahead. You maygo right
into our pew, tell the sexton Deacon
Stearns.' Your clothes are good You
mustn't go about Sabbath day if you
would prosper" She rose and looked
steadily at him to make her remarks
| effective.
The man stared, then got up.
THANK ye, marm; your food was
good and hot. Iguess you re all right,
if you are little fuddled in your
mind"
She was too indignant to utter word,
and the man stepped out. The deacon
met him in the door-yard, and he said
to himself
Good chance to say word to this
man" But, when he began, the tramp
actually burst out laughing and turned
away. The deacon watched him with
growing displeasure. He went a few
steps, turned around and looked at the
house, and seemed to be overcome with
mirth.
Another knock at the door of the
kitchen. There stood little girl, one
of the new neighbours children.
please, ma am, will you lend my
mother. a frying-pan? She's cracked
hers, and we can't get another to-
day."
"Of course you can't, my child.
We're not heathens in this town. Yes.
you may take it; but come in and sit by
the fire. For" she said to herself, per
haps this is another chance; and there g
more hope for children"
She brought out two nice apple puffs
on a pretty plate, and began:
ado you know the commandments"
"Yes, ma am, some of them"
"Will you say one after me? Re
member the Sabbath-day to keep it
holy.
The child ate her pies, regarding her
questioner with an amazed look that
convinced Mrs. Stcarns she had not
been well taught. She proceeded to en-
large:
MY dear, don't blame your mother
for not sending you to Sunday-school
to-day, the snow is so deep; but you
must be careful when YOU 90 home
about playing, for that would be
wicked"
Still eyeing her doubtfully, the child
departed,
The teams of wood went by at inter
walls through the afternoon. They
talked the subject over, as, later, they
sat by the dying emberS. Il don't
know what this land is coming to-
l., \ 40 lN.,.
other Sodom.'
"Andrve made up my mind,' said
Mrs. Stearns, sOrrowfully, "that |
won't stay at home from meeting
again. 1t may be Judgment upon me.
l do hope I've done some good though,
to-day
"Well, that was funny fellow you
fed,' returned the deacon. "Whv, he
actually laughed in my face, and then
winked."
At six the next morning she was up
and at her washing, and he went to his
usual work.
As the sleighing was good, and none
of the family were present at church,
the deacon S nephew thought he'd ride
down, and see if they were sick. Fast
ening his horse, he heard the sound of
the deacon'S AK, and made his way to
the shed, but was never more surprised
in his life. "Why, Uncle Stearns! work
ing Sunday"
"Tain't Sunday" said the deacon,
pausing with uplifted arm.
Amt Sunday! Why, I've just come
from meeting. Thought you must all
be sick"
~ tell you yesterday was Sunday,
and mother and l kept it at home"
The nephew leaned against the work
bench for support as the truth dawned
upon him.
The deacon threw down his AK, and
started for the house. Mrs. Stearns,
her clothes all out, was taking up the
dinner
Mother, what day is it?"
Why, it is Monday, father. What
do you mean?"
"Here's Ben, and says it's Sundays"
"Sunday! Ben, YOU are crazy And
she sank down on the sofa.
Ben had hard time proving the
truth of his statement; but when ne
finally succeeded she drew on her hood
and mittens. "Clothes shan't dry on
Sunday anyway"
Mother, I'd let 'em alone. 1t will be
Just as bad if you take 'em down.
"Mr. Stearns, never could enjoy
wearing them again. never" And she
brought them back into the tubs.
To think that Mr.. Fosters men
should have gone by this morning, and
seen me putting them out. Well, it will
be lesson to me never to judge any
body again. "
a guess it will be overlooked wife,"
said the deacon, seeing how seriously
she was taking it. 'I'll harness up,
and We'll 90 to meeting this after
noon." They went without their usual
supper, in order to avoid any more
work, and concluded that the mistake
was owing to the storm without and
the stiffness within.
As for Ben, he laughed all the way
home, and he laughed for years after;
and so did the girls, when they thought
of it.-Rarriette Rea, IN Ctristian Reg
lister.
Margaret Washington is George