The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-06-13

II UOtthnt they were lQ0UB0Q 20 ae0An& n6f
vail up the4aisle; she was AZ regular
about thatas the minister. bnt she car
ried to-day . large carpet-bag, and that
was certainly unusuals
People nudged each other and whis-
pered and Uttered; quite . little breeze
LOT excitement spread over the church,
land heads twisted backwards and side
Ways and scraned forward toward
Amt Khodais pew; but she sat there
quietly and listened to the singing,
with her earpet-bag on the scat beside
her.
After the benediction Aunt Rhoda
seated herself again, and did not 20 out
with the rest of the congregation. Peo-
splesturned around and stared at her sit
ting there, as they went down the aisle.
II II had not been for the carpet-bag
they would not have thought there was
anything singular in her proceeding, for
there was an afternoon service, and the
people often stayed over, and ate their
lunch they had brought with them in
the church; but they certainly never
brought their doughnuts and cheese ina
large7sized carpet-dag.
There were a few, from a distance,
who were going to remain till after
noon meeting to-day. They got to-
igether and covertly eyed Aunt Rhoda
after the rest had left theschurch. She
coolly opened her carpet bag, and took
out some crackers and cheese and be-
gan to eat. They whispered and queried
while they ate their own lunch, and
| finally some of them went over and in
terviewed Aunt Rhoda, but they found
out nothing; their hints and indirect
questions were alike unavailing, and not
one Of them dared ask her directly what
she had brought her carpet-bag for. To
tell the truth they began to suspect
that Aunt Rhoda's troubles had affected
her mind, and they had, naturally, a
little delicacy about asking her if She
were crazy.
When she sat composedly down again
beside her carpet bag. after the after.
noon service, their was q commotion.
People collected around the church
doors and talked the matter over. Some-
thing ought to be done, they agreed.
So they stopped the minister and con-
suited him, and finally he went back to
speak to Aunt Rhoda.
well, Mrs Carpenter" he said,
when hereached the pew where she sat,
her black straw with its purple roses
tipped back at in angle of defiance.
chow do you do?"
Aunt Rhoda cautiously reached out
her hand in its wrinkly glove to meet his
proffered one. "Nicely, thanky," re-
piled she.
I've been meaning to come and see
you all last week" the minister went
on, land I thought to myself, when I
looked around and saw you still seated
here, that | would come back and speak
tosyou. and then we could walk home
together"
II amt goin' home, /" said Aunt Rhoda.
She set her thin lips, and her spectacles
glared defantly.
Not going home" repeated the min
lister in helpless amazement.
mo, / amt got any home to go to.
As for my liyin' any longer in a home
that amt mine, I won't; but this pew is
mine, an my husband bought an paid
for it, an here Tn goin' to set"
But, dear Mrs. Carpenter, how can
you? How long"
"I'm a-goin' to set hereyt till my crack
ers an cheese give cut that carpet bags
pretty near full of EN-, nm by that time
I think the Lord will send me deliver
ance. I'm goins to set right here in
this house an pray for it,. think He'll
send Annie Carpenter Mather.
but yorl can't stay here all alone;
why, you'll he afraidlp cried Mr..
Wilson desperately. He was ayoung,
inexperienced minister, all u~nprepared
for such a contingency MS this. He
was utterly bewildered. At one time
he would think Aunt Rhoda crazy, and
ut another time not; in fact, he did not
/ know what to think, but he did want
to doshis duty as . clergyman.
aAfraid in the Lords housel' replied
Aunt Rhoda ;s.why, I'll feel safer here
than I ever did in my own. No, it amt
no use talking; I'm a-goin' to set right
here j my own pew"
She drew the carpet-bag closer to
hersides and sat up sitter than ever.
Poor Mr.. Wilson was entirely at Il loss.
He wanted to do his duty, but what
was His duty Words were clearly of
no avail, and he could not drag this
eccentric old lady out of her pew and
home by main force. He finally left
ther temporarily mistress of the situa-
ton Sands hurried to the house. of Dea-
CON Harris, one of the pillars of the
chsrfch, and his right-hand man.
When the deacon had the facts of the
cass stated to him. III laughed immodar-
ately. Mr.. Wilson smiled little too.
Before this only the perplexities of the
situation had presented themselves to
linn.
Wall, Illtell you what I think, said
the deacon when hecould gethis breath
ssIthink fthe oldlady wants to set there
we'd better let her, till she getssick oft.
She'll be glad enough to get out Of it
In a few days. She'll be as safe there
Us alone in her own house, and safer;
and III hot weather, so there won't be
any trouble about her getting cold. I'll
speak to my wife, an thereu be some
hot victuals carried in, I'll warrant.
She can't come to any harm there that
I can see. An nothin' else will pacify her
if she's got set about it. / know Aunt
Rhoda Carpenter. I'd have her come
right in here this minute, but nothin'
short Of main force could bring her; IN,
there amt any mortal reason why she
shouldn't go to her own home, but if she
won't she won't. I know her. She amt
crazy, butif she sets ont to do a thing
she's goin' to carry itthrough. No; if the
old lady wonts to set in her pew I think
we'd better let her; : and the deacon
laughed till the tears ran down his
cheeks,
So Aunt Rhoda was triumphant. She
sat in herpew the next week like n queen
on her throne. The news of hes queer
freak spread everywhere, and eSited at
once mirth aud compassion. She had
every attention. People brought her in
breakfasts and dinners and