Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-06-13

finger to help that old woman who insult
ed me ten years ago? It would look we'll
for me to be rushing to her aid now"
II think help would look better comiu'
from you than from anyone else, Sarah.
She'd know you'd forgiven the past.
and that your religion meant something"
"When she comes to me and asks my
pardon for what she did twelve years ago.
I'll think about helping her," said Mrs.
Baker, coldly, ill-pleased at her husband s
criticism. II do my duty as far as I see
1t, and flatter myself I'm as good as the
general run o'folks."
The entrance Of Madge prevented furth-
er conversation on the subject, and with
heavy sigh John Baker took his seat at
the supper-table. He noticed that his
daughters eyes were very red, but did not
question her about them, for he suspect
ed the cause of their condition. But he
was more than usually kind in his man.
ner to her, and on rising from the table
slipped silver dollar in her hand, whis-
pering. "Buy yourself some little trinket,
darling"
The unexpected gift, coupled with the
tender words, proved too much for Madge
in the over-strained condition of her
nerves. Throwing her arms about her
fathers neck, she burst into tempest of
sobs and tears. And the eyes of the faith
er were dim as he tried to soothe her.
''This is perfectly ridiculous, - said Mrs.
Baker, exasperated at the scene. Zone
would think the girl was seven years old
instead Of seventeen. Leave the room
Madge, and don't come back again until
you can behave yourself
"You are too hard on the child, Sarah,' -
said John Baker, as Madge went out, Sob
bling wildly. ''She's all we've got and we
ought to make her home happy
"And do you pretend to say that Imake
it unhappy 7" demanded Mrs. Baker.
"You just spoil her out Of all reason. She
don't know what she really does want,
and SO she makes mountains out of mole
holes. If she had to drudge as Lucy Cole
does she'd have room for complaint.
wish you wouldn't put notions into her.
have worked enough to manage her with
out your setting her up to think herself
abused"
John Baker said no more. He knew by
long experience that further argument
would be useless. Sarah called herself a
Christian, and was one of the more active
members Of the Calvary church; every
Thursday evening her voice was heard in
prayer-meeting, and she h.ld prominent
positions on various committees appoint
ed by the elders. She was al ways ready
to join in plans to pay the church debt
she was the chief worker in every fair and
sociable her contributions to the poor
box and to the foreign missions were al
ways large and the minister depended
greatly upon her help In every scheme in
which practical energy was required. But
her religion seemed to drop from her heart
like a cloak from her shoulders when she
entered her home. She did not appear to
think it necessary to exercise it there at
all. The gentle reproof of her good-na-
tured husband and the rebellion of her
pretty daughter only irritated her with
out bringing 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 errand at the village postoffice, and
she was left alone, she grew calmer, and
by the time the dishes were all washed
and put away her irritation was almost
forgotten.
II guess I'll run over and see Mrs.
Marsh minute. she said to herself, as
she took off her big gingham apron and
hung it up. "Like as not, that Tom told
her all said. He's one to always make
fuss and don't want any hard feeling.
So I'll just step over and tell her myself,
why can't SIT up with her mother"
| Mrs. Marsh and Mrs. Baker we're very
near neighbors, and had always been very
intimate. They were accustomed to run
ming into the houses of each other any
hour without the ceremony of a ring or a
knock, and 30 Mrs. Baker went around to
the back of the house when she reached
Mrs. Marsh's and finding the kitchen door
open, stepped in at oEce.
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 own name
spoken by voice which she recog lied
as belonging to Mrs. Long, another neigh
Dor. made her pause.
"Mrs. Bakers religion amt the kind
that stands soap and water" the woman
was saying. sit hasn't made spark o.
difference in her. She's as stiff-necked as
ever. She may be good at rushin' round
to society meetin's, but as for maxim per-
sonal sacrifices, it amt in her,"
| Mrs. Baker heard and trembled with in
dignation, but worse was to come.
'She certainly doesn't carry her religion
with her into her daily life," said the
voice of Mrs. Marsh, land that's the only
true kind OF religion, 1 think. She keeps
hers for show, not for use. I'm intimate
enough at her house to know that"
''She bottles it up and takes the cork
out only on Sundays and at prayer-meet-
ings," and Mrs. Baker recognized lilly
Marsh's high treble. "It's convenient
kind of religion. you see. But it don't
/ impose upon any one but herself.'
"When person makes professions,
they oughter stand by them every day in
the year." said Mrs. Long. ''Mrs. Baker
breaches sight, but she don't practice
worth anything