The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1884-05-21

ing her to see where she erred. She was
very angry now, and began to clear the
table with unusual energy. But as John
took his hat and went out on some cr-
rand ut the village ~postollice, and she
was left alone. she grew calmcr, and by
the time the dishes were all washed and
put away her irritation was almost for
gotten.
II guess I'll run ove and see Mrs.
Marsh a minute" she said to herself, as
she took off her big bingham apron and
hung it up. "Likc as not that Tom told
her all l said. He's one to enjoy making
a fuss, and l don't want any hard feel
ing. So I'll just step over and tell her
myself why | can't sit up with her
mother"
Mrs. Marsh and Mrs. Baker were very
near neighbors, and had always been
very intimate. They were accustomed
to running into the houses of each other
at any hour without the ceremony oil
a ring or Il knock. and so Mrs. Baker
went around to the back of the house
when she reached Mrs. Marsh's, and,
finding the kitchen door open, stepped
in ut once.
As she did so she heard the sound of
voices in the adjoining ROOM, the door OF
which was ajar.
She had advanced halfway across the
kitchen. intending to make her presence
known. when the sound of her W name
spoken by a voice which she recognized
as belonging to Mrs. Long, another
ncighbor, made her pause.
"Mrs. Bakers religion amt the kind
that stands soap and water" this woman
was saying. at hasn't made a spark O
dif'rence in her. She's as stitf-neckcd
as ever. She may be good at rushln'
round to society mcctin's, but as Tor
maxim personal sacrifices, it amt in
her"
Mrs. Baker heard. and trcmblcd with
indignation, but worse was to come.
She certainly doesn't carry her reliS-
ion with her into her daily life
said the voice of Mrs. Marsh, land that's
the only true kind of religion, | think.
She keeps hers Tor show, not for use.
I'm intimate enough at her house to know
that"
''Shc bottles it up and takes the cork
out only on Sundays and at prayer
meetings." and Mrs. Baker recognized
Tillv Marsh's high treble. ''It's 4 con-
vcnient kind of religion, you see. But
it don't impose upon any one but her
self"
when Il person makes professions,
they'd oughtcr stand by them every day
in the year" said Mrs. Long. Mrs.
Baker breaches a sight, but she don't
practice with anything
For a moment Mrs. Baker was tempted
to rush into the next room and frankly
tell her ncighbors "what she thought Of
them but angry as she was, an in
stant's dclibcration convinced her that
such n course would be highly inju-
dicious. and might lead to d scandal
which would afford the village gossip
for months to come. So, without giving
any intimation of her presence, she hur-
riedly left the house.
$50 this is how my neighbors talk of
me behind my back she murmured, as
she reached her own kitchen again, and
threw off her hat and shawl. This is
how l am traduced because I would not
sit up all night with Il q%uerulous old
woman"
She was very, very angry; but gradual
" she grew calm, and began to think
over quietly all she had heard. The
longer she thought, the more reasonable
seemed the charges which had been
brought against her. Had she brought
her religion into her daily life? Was it
not true that it was kept more for show
than for wear? Bottled up, as lilly had
said, and the cork taken out only on Sum
days in praycr-mceting. Had her re-
lieion made her more lenient to the
faults of her daughter2 Had it caused
her to be more gentle and kind to her
husband? Had it caused her tc forgive
old Miss Starr an offense of ten years
standing? .
Poor Mrs. Baker. the truth brought
home to her thus roughly from other lips
did more toward opening her eyes to her
own past conduct than any advice or
counsel, however kindly meant, could
have done.
When John came in ut 10 o'clock he
was surprised to find his wife in tears.
Such a Sight was extremely novel to say
the least. and he was very much dis
tresscd by it. But he was not given any
kew to the mystery. Sarah took up her
candle and went to bed without a word.
Madge thought her mother strangely
silent and subducd the next morning, and
watched her with some anxiety.
"I'm afraid mothers going to be SICK"
she said to her father, following him out
into the yard when he went to the pump
for a pail of water.
s:She does act sortcr queer" admitted
John. 1--WE must jest be gentle with her
and not answer her back if she gets
riled."
As Madge came back into the kitchen
again her mother looked up from the pan
of milk she was skimming.
"You can have your club meet here on
Tuesday if you choose, Madge," she said.
eve thought better of what l said yes
terday."
"Oh, mother, how good of youm cried
Madgc, running to kiss hcr-a carcss
which Mrs. Baker received very kindly.
1--WE shall be ever so careful of the car
net and curtains. And l want to tell
you, mother, that I am sorry l made such
a fuss last night. 1t was ridiculous, as
you said, and I'm ashamed of myself.
And 1 beg your pardon for speaking to
you rs l did, too"
''Wcll both forget all about it," said
Mrs. Baker; "and now'-as John came
in with the watcr-''1 want to hold Il
consultation about Mis-; Starr. 1t is only
right that we should do what W. can to
help her. What do you say to a sub
scription to buy her another COW. John 2
| should think'we could raise enough to
buy her Il mixer quite as good as old
Queen"
''Just the thing" exclaimed John.
"You have such a lear head, Sarah! I'll
put my name down for three dollars"
".And l will carry the subscription
paper around" said Madgc. SIN a first
class beggar. YOU know"
The news that Mrs. Baker had under
taken to restore to Mrs. Starr her means
of livelihood flew about the village like
wildfire, and a handsome sum was soon
raised for the old lady, whose gratitude
to her former enemy was very touching.
She could no say enough in Mrs Bakers
praise.
The first step is always the hardest.
Mrs. Baker found it not ut all difficult to
toop On in tho now nath into which she