Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-12
POLLY'S RELIGION.
BY REBECCA HARDING DAVIS.

BY REBECCA HARDING DAVIS.
There can be little doubt that, if the
people of Balls Ferry had been asked to
decide which was the most pious family 10
their midst, they would most unanimous
ly have named the Demmings. They had
long been the nucleus about which the
Presbyterian church had gathered. Now,
Squire Demmings' pew faced that of the
pastor, and no matter how stormy the
weather, there was his venerable white
head in its place, and Mother Demmings'
placid old face besides 1t. Grace aud Isa-
bella, the unmarr led sisters, and Joe filled
the pew. Young Mr.. Floyd (who was
radical in his views] or any visiting cler-
gyman, might preach what they chose, the
Demmings listened with the same calm,
devout pleasure. 1t never occurred to
them to dissent from any opinion promul-
gated by minister of their church. 1t
was ''all good''-like the Bible. There
was no room for choice in either. The
Squire would be just as likely to read a
chapter in Numbers to penitent sinner
as one in st. John. Both had the sooth--
ing effect of repeated charm which set
him safely apart from other men.
You would always find on the Dem
mings' centre table all the papers and
magazines published by the denoml nation
Their house was the headquarters for
clergymen and colporteurs. The girls
could tell you at a moments notice where
such and such a minister was now, how
long Mr.. D =, of st. Louis. had been in Eu-
rope, and how much money had been
glved to dear Mr.. j. by his flock in Chi
cago to visit the Holy Land. They were
exceedingly fond, too, of religious poems,
and could repeat whole pages CT Henry
Klrke White and Miss Havergal. They
took an eager interest in all foreign mis-
slonary work; the story of these heroic
men in African jungles or Indian bunga-
lows had all the dramatic power of novel
to them. Grace declared she had posi-
| tive affection for that lovely Miss w.,
who was at work in Ceylon, and consid-
cred young Mr.. ~, who was in Hong
Kong, one of the apostolic type of Chris
tians, although she had never seen either
of them. Isabella took more interest in
the ascetic doctrines coming into notice.
She professed delight in symbolism,
| filed her room with religious emblems and
pictures, wore black on Good Friday and
lilies on Easter. and tasted as religiously
as any Episcopallau. Every week she
noted down in her diary the changes
In her spiritual condition. The whole
family we're fluent in theological terms,
and talked garrllously of the doctrines Of
their denominations; indeed. works of
controversy on this subject filled their
book shelves.
This familiarity with the outer gar
ment of religion made them appear de-
vout in the eyes of others and their own.
They were well-to-do-family, and hence
had felt none of the temptations of pow
erty. They we're naturally gentle, amia-
BILE, unpretending, and hence were not
likely to yield to the temptations of
wealth. Their pleasant, mild, harmless
ness, which was, in fact, due to tempera-
ment. was set down by their friends as
the effect of piety.
Life to the Demmings was like long
summer day until Joe brought his wife
home. None of the family had ever seen
her They knew she was one OF the An
struthers of Kentucky,
"There are Anstruthers in the United
Presbyterian Church." said Grace. II
hope Mary belongs to our membership"
sob, yes, certainly" said Joe. eagerly.
He was just starting to be married, and
he was very anxious that they should love
Polly in advance.
Does she sing in the chorp ?" asked
Isabella.
Il think not But she has one of the
sweetest voices-a low contralto. And
you ought to hear her laugh, Belief The
merriment ring-oh, she'll bring new life
into this house!'' The girls smiled. They
were fopd of Joe, and ready to welcome
his wife.
''But hope she is ready to take lead
ing place in the church, said Grace, after
he had gone. Joe will some day fill faith
er' place, and bis description Of her does
not give me the idea of an theoretically
religious woman
"We'll hope for the BEST" said Isabel
la.-She was very busy making an irnita-
ton stained glass window for the Sunday
School room and was anxious to finish it
before Mary arrived.
Uncle Ben must be kept in his own
room when she comes, and Tom can be
sent to the country for month VISIT"
Grace SAID, her delicate cheeks flushing
painfully.
For there were tw skeletons in the
Dsmmings household. the Squire's
brother, Ben, who was paralytic old SOL
dier ard a cross-grained, profane old fell
low, occupied one wing of the mansion
He had man to nurse and read to him,
for his oaths were intolerable to his nleces.
Tom was their brother, younger than joe
Tom Demmings had disappeared for three
years after he had left college, and came
back a haggard, dissipated loafer. No
body in Balls Ferry knew what he had