St. Landry democrat., 1884-11-01


"rd rather not. We are all stran-
gers. We just come in minute ago.
hearing as how you were coming to-
see the minister. He's putting on his
best clothes. / guess The woman
looked really sorry for me, and the line
of spectators opened their mouths wider
as my distress increased. The door
opened softly behind me. I thought no
more of my peculiar garb or OF MI.
Mayberry' impression; thought only
of the kicking demon had left Charles
alone with.
"Oh, please-pteqse, Mr.. Mayberry,
I want your assistance at once. | don't
know thai you are in the habit of doing
anything OF the kind, but :" just then
[ saw whom [ was addressing, and the
unusual dignity and age of the new
minister made me stammer and hesl-
tate, realizing the awkwardnesss OF my
situation.
- Yes, I understood you wanted my
aid to-day. It's of course very seri-
GUS state you are thinking of entering,
but we will talk little Sit down until
your companion comes to join us. He
spoke kindly, and cautiously placed a
chair for me. The women one and all
looked glad thsy had come, and as
though my behavior was as entertain
ing as anything they had ever seen.
''Oh. no, no, can't sit down till he
comes in. Won't you please excuse me
for asking, but can't you help him? !
have left him all alone with a horse"
| beckoned from the window to Charles
that some one was going to help him.
Mr. Mayberry rose deliberately. Il
really know nothing of horses myself,
but will see what can be done. Is he
is your companion not used to
horses?'' He was slowly putting on his
hat, and [ saw he looked regretfully at
his spotless black broadcloth, and that
he would have preferred TO keep far
away from the brute.
Used to horses Charles! Oh, no!
he has always driven cows before. Oh,
thank you. thank you for going!'
Just as soon as Mr.. Mayberry started
l felt that my responsibility was ended.
[ was lust about to sit down in a vacant
chair in corner when one of the ladies
came toward me. ''Oh, no; that is not
the place. They always stand in that
part of the room, just facing the look
| ing-glass.n / wondered if the person
were demented, but as caught q look
at myself, concluded it would not be
prudent for me in my predicament to
| question the sanity of any one else. ]
wondered if Haytown people were in
the habit of filling their minister's par
Tor whenever 8 visitor was expected,
and was glad such custom did not
prevail in Straw Center.
'.Do you prefer the Episcopal serv-
ice?" very meek-looking woman
asked. | gave up trying to twist my
hair into shape, was so astonished al
the question. It looked as though
was to be subjected to council and in
terrogated on my religious belief.
81 don't know. My husband knows
nay opinions, and do not care to dis
cuss such things
your husband! You mean the gen
tleman you're riding WITH my ques
toner suggested.
..My husband, and also the gentle
man | have been driving with, " said
sternly. Such look of establishment
as my remark caused. Many begar
: whispering together, and the question
that some one asked explained thu
4
s'Why, we thought there was to be {
wedding, and we came to attend. W.
heard YOU was coming. end had vel
in your buggy to wear. made NJ
apology, and urged no one to remain
when saw one by one prepare to lea7'
! the house. At another time | Nigh
have felt inclined to laugh, but then thu
whole thing seemed a cruel combina
ton of circumstances to make me APP
pear ridiculous. sat alone in the par
sonage parlor for some time; m,
saddest thought was the one tina
would keep recurring to me, tina
Charles had made the mistake Of hi
( lie when ne took for his wife woman
who was always having adventures
!. This, though, was the most trying of al
my Advent lures, and when especial,
wanted to be thought such demure
serious minister's wife. What woulC
t not Haytown people say the next da,
q when they learned that the runawa,
: pair in the box buggy, was no othe
than Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Mason, driving
over from Straw Center to make a min
= isterial call on Rev. Mr.. Mayberry?
felt that our days with our present par
ish were numbered, and | was in tk
depth of gloom. A shadow passed SY
window, and my husband came in, III
and arm with Mr.. May berry, both J 81
Q ing friendly and cheerful. ~
Fanny, my dear, I want to6s Jftro
duce you to Mr.. Mayberry, for n with
!, standing the fact that we haE9f mad
him get ready for wedding p hen W
: had no need of such a service!Pls it wa
! well done year ago. he now wants U
: to take an early tea and dri7e back i
the evening. = ~