The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-05-04
sake of the preaching. Nobody could
quite explain Miss Barton's popularity.

sake of the preaching. Nobody could
quite explain Miss Barton's popularity.
Perhaps old Mrs. Simmons came as
near to the truth as anybody when she
said "she wasn't any smarter than
anybody else, but someway she seemed
just like own folks. And she knew
just how folks felt without being told"
Ponkapawket was scandalized. 1t
was a disgrace to the whole town to
have a woman preacher holding forth
every Sunday, and drawing such
crowds-drawing half the congregation
way from the Ponkapawket church,
tool The deacons requested Mr..
Ericsson to preach a 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 F.; but he had
been twice to hear Miss Barton preach,
when there were no services in his own
church, and he had also called upon
her several times, and when the
deacons conferred with him about
preaching that sermon they found it
impossible to obtain any satisfaction /;
he was very polite. and he did not say
that he would not, but "he smiling
put the question by"
One day he surprised Miss Barton
by inviting her to an exchange of
pulpits for the following Sunday but
that was in harvest-time, and she had
come to Scragg End in June. Even
Ponkapawket had become accustomed
to the idea of a woman preacher, if it
did not approve of it.
He had found her sitting on the
piazza on a warm afternoon in late
September. She had a large basketful
of stockings beside her, and was
darning them diligently. Some were
her own, some were Adoniram Hewitt's
and Lysander's, for Roxy had gone
away on a visit, and Mrs. Hewitt's
hands were more than full. She
looked as housewifely as if she had
never aimed at any wider sphere.
The shadow of a smile fickered about
Mr.. Ericson's mouth as he observed her
employment. Although Miss Barton
looked up only as much as po~liteness
required, she saw the smile, and it
brought a flush to her cheek. Though
she looked so strong and resolute, it
was evident that Miss Barton was
keenly sensitive. He sat down be-
side her, and Immediately proffered his
request, perhaps IS an antidote to the
smile.
"Gour people would be shocked.
They don't approve of me-" said Miss
Parton. "And L shouldn't have the
courage"
81 never suspected you of any want
Of courage" said Mr.. Ericsson.
81 am a dreadful coward. 1 don't
think L fully realized it when l began.
If l had been sent anywhere but to
Scragg End, L don't know what l
should have done. Here they are
Undetermined people, without strong
prejudices, and l do seem to have found
the way to their hearts. But 1 am
afraid L should never dare to enter
another pulpit-certainly not yours at
Ponkapawket."
You would soon conquer there as
you have conquered here" said Mr..
Ericsson.
81 can't endure their unfriendly
gaze. l should display all my woman
ishness. L should blush, l should
tremble, l might faint. l should be a
stumbling-block to the women who
are following in the same pathway. l
don't mean to be that. My work in
Scragg End suffices me, and l am so
thankful for it,"
81 am sorry you feel so about Pom
kapawket, because | have a proposition
in my mind much more audacious
than the n that L made" said Mr..
Ericsson.
Miss Barton raised her eyes inquir-
ingly, and dropped them again in
stantly under the minister's gaze.
Il thought we might unite the
churches" Mr.. Ericson's voice
trembled a little, as if he were afraid.
81 don't see how it could be DONE"
said Miss Barton, frigidly.
"Of course there is but one way."
said Mr.. Ericsson, quietly. 81 dared
not ask you to be my wife without
suggesting to you the fact that your
work need not be given up"
The girl rose to her feet. Lysan-
der's stocking fell from her hand, and
was blown away by the wind I'M
needed. al don't know what | have
done to deserve this-this insult. |
thought that at least you respected
me, and 1 thought my calling made
Inc sacred from such-such attacks al
together"
q am sorry that you should think
it an insult. l can hardly see how a
man could give you a better proof of
his respect than to ask you to become
his wife"
"But II am a woman" said Miss
Barton, sitting down again, and cover
ing her face with her hands.
THE more reason why you should
be married." said Mr.. Ericsson, calmly.
you need a protector"
81 am perfectly sufficient for my
self. And | shall never care for any
body-anything-but my work"
Mr.. Ericsson arose. 81 am sorry ia