The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-10-10
THE FIRST DAYS EXPERIENCES
with A Lesson.

THE FIRST DAYS EXPERIENCES
with A Lesson.
"Good morning, Mrs Ray; Cynthie
and me Just heard the Elder was dead,
and so we thought we would come right
over to offer our coincidence"
''You are very kind, Mrs. Green"
"Now don't say one word about bein'
kind, poor soul, at such q time of
mournin'. Cynthie and me iust wanted
to know all about how he passed away,
and when the funela is going to be,
and who will preach the funeral SER
mon, and, in fact, all about everything"
. 'Well, really, Mrs. Green, it is only
an hour ago since my husband passed
away, and do not realize what has
happened. There seems to be a dread
full something overshadowing us, but 1
do not seem to grasp it. l can only
realize the fact that for the past week
have been wrung with a feeling of anx-
iety, and that now my anxiety has all
passed away
Poor dear! but what were his last
words, and who will p each the sermon,
and will yous bury him hereP What
does the doctor say was really the mat
ter with himP'' k&@f
81 don't know, Mrs. Green; i know
only this, that if it were not for the
children, | would gladly lay me down
by his side, content never to rise again
I'LL God called"
"Well, you know you mustn't muir
muir. know you will miss the Elder
just awful, with his handy way of help
in about, and always so pleasant even
to poor folks. Now l just know I
should miss Jonas, though he doesn't
know how to lift finger about the
house. But men are so different! Now
when Jonas is sick he is always SO fret
full like, that / know l should miss
him."
''No doubt you would, Mrs. Green"
''You must be very tired, Mrs Ray"
said Cynthia Allen, who already felt
condemned for what seemed to her an
intrusion.
''Now, law, Cynthie, who ever thinks
of bein' tired at such time? Every
back is fitted for its burden, you know,
and we always have sustainin' grace.
Now just see how the Elders wife bears
up. Why, thought you d be all broke
up, Mrs. Ray, trenholm and cryin';
but really now you are real braye.''
'I'm sure we are wearying you, Mrs.
Ray; and if you will just lie down here
on the couch, will throw this shawl
over you before we go. Doitry and
rest little"-and Cynthia Aliens bet
ter nature was awakened by this quiet
patient sufferer.
''Now, Cynthie," said Mrs. Green,
rs they passed beyond the little gate,
''you have just spoiled my call. didn't
find out anything, not even when the
funeral was.
II doubt if she knew herself; for
know she has had no time to make any
arrangements
''No, she hadn't even slieked her
hair; but then you know folks often
neglect things at such times. Though,
Cynthie, l must say, l always do keep
my stove brushed clean, no matter
what comes.n aaa
perhaps, Mrs. Green. But you do
not have TO do everything yourself, be-
sides taking care of sick husband and
two little children"
''Well, some folks don't know how TO
manage, specially if they hain't been
brought up to work. But now Pm
awful sorry didn't find out anything,
for know Miss Pufter will be right
over when she hears the Elders dead,
aud sha'n't have thing to tell her.
Well, good-bye l guess I'll go again
after dinner"
As Cynthia Allen walked slowly
homeward she pondered IN her mind
how she could best help her pastors
wife bear the burdens which were about
to be forced upon her. Well did Gym
thia know how prompt were the good
people of Brocton in honoring their old
time custom of calling Immediately at
the house OF mourning. Distinctly did
she remember, when only q little Girl,
and her own mother died, how gladly
she would have stolen away 10 her little
bed in the loft and there cried to her
hearts content; and how she was de-
tanned from satisfying this longing by
the constant coming and going OF those
who called themselves friends. She
truly sympathized with her pastors
wife and was anxious to be of some real
comfort to her. Prompted by this
feeling she decided to make her grand
mother comfortable for the day, and
then return to the parsonage and offer
to do the necessary work, which no
doubt had been neglected.
Charles Ray had entered upon the
pastorate of a large city church in the
full possession of health; but after six
years of faithful labor he found himself
unable to perform the duties of SO large
field. Conscientious IN all things, he
decided to hold no position where he
vas not able to do the work to his own
satisfaction, and accordingly offered his
resignation, which was reluctantly &C
cepted. He Immediately became pastor
OF the smaller church at Brocton, and
entered his new field full of hope that
the quiet of country life would soon re-
shore to him his usual vigor For six
months he ministered to his chosen
people as only q faithful poster can;
and when suddenly called to enter the
''church triumphant" the whole viii
LACE mourned their loss. The salary
paid by the Brocton church was neces-
Earily small, and Mrs. Ray, although
delicate in health, had cheerfully de-
cided to do the necessary house-work,
and so save the expense of a servant.
When sickness entered their home, and
after one week Of intense suffering her
husband died, leaving her with the care
OF two little children, she found her own
strength almost exhausted. It was
trying time, and when she most needed
quiet and rest to restore her, she found
it was expected of her TO receive in per-
son all who chose to call upon her.
lady would she havA accepted the
consolation Of being alone with her