The Indianapolis journal., 1884-05-24

ut hasn't made spark O difrence in her She s
as stiff-necked as ever She may be good at rush.
in round to society meetin's, but as Tor maxim
personal sacrifices it amt in her"
Mrs. Baker heard, and trembled with indlgna-
ton, but worse was to come.
''She certainly doesn't carry her religion with
her into her daily life" said the voice of Mrs.
Marsh, 'and that's the only true kind ofrellglon,
[ 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 meetings, ana Mrs
Baker recognized lilly Marsh's high treble Its
a convenient kind Of religion, you see. But 1t
don't impose upon any one but herself"
when person makes professions, they a.
oughter stand by 'em every day in the year
said Mrs Long. Mrs. Baker breaches sight,
but she don't practice wuth anything" :;
For moment Mrs. Baker was tempted to ruSil
into the next room and frankly tell her neigh
bors ''what she thought of them" but, angry as
she was, an instants deliberation convinced her
that such a course would be highly injudlclous,
and might lead to a scandal which would afford
the village gossip for months to come. So, with
out giving any intimation of her presence, she
hurriedly left the house.
$50 this is how my neighbors talk of me be
hind my backf she murmured. as she reached
her own kitchen again, and threw OIL her nat
and shawl. 'This is how l am traduced because
l would not set up all night with a querulous old
woman"
She was very, very angry; but gradually she
grew calm, and began to tnlnk over quietly ali
she had heard The longer she thought the more
reasonable seemed the charges which had been
brought against her. Had she brought her relg-
ion into her daily lifel Was it not true that it
was kept more for show than for wear! Bottled
I'D, as Tilly had said, and the cork taken out
only on Sundays and nprayer meeting. Had her
religion made her more lenent to the faults OF
her daughter Had it caused her to be more
gentle and kind to her husband! Had it caused
her to forgive old Miss Starr an otfense of ten
cfa
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 at 10 o'clock he was sur
prised to find his wife in tears. Such a sight
was extremely novel to say the least, and he was
very much distressed by it. But he was not
given any key to the mystery. Sarah took up
her candle and went to bed without word
Madge thought her mother strangely silent and
subdued 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.
'She does act sorter queer, admitted John.
1--WE must jest be gentle with her, and not ans
wer her back if she gets riled"
AS Maggie came back into the kitchen again
her mother looked up from the pan of milk she
skimming.
"You can have your club meet here on Tues
day if you choose, Madge,' she said. 'I've
thought better of what 1 said yesterday"
''Oh mother, how good of You!' cried Madge,
running to kiss her-a caress which Mrs. Baker
received very kindly. eve will be ever so care
full of the carpet and curtains. And want to
tell you, mother, that am sorry made such a
fuss last night. 1t was ridiculous, as you said,
and I'm ashamed of myself And l beg your
pardon for speaking to you as l did, too"
Wen both forget all about it." said Mrs.
Baker; and now"-as John came in with the
water-"I want to hold consultation about
Miss Starr 1t is only right that we should dc
what we can to help her. What do you say to
a subscription to buy her another COW, Johnl
should think we could raise enough to buy her a
mixer quite good as old Queen"
Just the thing!' exclaimed John. you have
such a clear head, Sarah! I'll put my name down
for three dollars"
"And 1 will carry the subscription paper
around said Madge. I'm firstclass beggar
you know"
restore to Miss Starr her means of livelihood few
about the village like wildfre and handsome
sum was raised for the old lady, whose
gratitude to her former enemy was very touch
ing. She could not say enough in Mrs. Bakers
praise.
The first step is always the hardest. Mrs. Ba
ker found it not at all difficult to keep on in the
new path into which she had stepped There
were, very naturally, times when she forgot hel
| new resolutions; but the thought of Miss Tillys
remark about her religion was always sufficient
to give her strength to begin again.
''How good of you, Mrs. Baker to take up the
cause of that poor Miss START" said Tilly Marsh
one day, when she met her neighbor in the vii
lage street
ut was only my duty" said Mrs. Baker 81
was the proper person to see to her you know
since am on the relief committee"
When Miss Tilly went home she said to hel
mother that she felt sure they had done Mrs
Baker injustice in thinking her vaingloriou'
and selfish.
perhaps we did" said Mrs Masrh 81 don't
understand her lately. She isn't at all as she
used to be- Something has changed her. l wish
knew what it was" But she never did