The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-31
THE VILLAGE DRESsMAKER

The arrival of the new minister in
Locust Hollow, as the pretty village
was called, was regarded as quite an
event by the congregation. A new min
ister is always an object of interest to
the people for a month or two; then
the interest flags, and finally he is &C
cepted as matter of course, and-gen-
orally to his delights no longer fused
over.
But this particular divine seemed
likely to keep speculation going for a
longer period than the customary nine
days, and, being a somewhat humorous
fellow, he thoroughly enjoyed it.
For the Rev. Jerome Grant was un-
married-warranted by the gossips to
have no ady-love-young. handsome,
which made salary secondary consid-
Grafton.
Now. in Locust Hollow there were a
number of very plump and pretty
girls. with few slim graceful damsels;
but the plump ones outnumbered the
slim, as always is the case in country
villages, with their fresh air, healthy
diet and regular hours.
Among the very plumpest of the viii
lage maidens was Gussie Elliston; and
Miss Gussie's blue oyes and red-and-
white complexion seemed to have
found favor in the eyes of Mr.. Grant,
for he speedily placed himself ON ia
miliar footing at the long low farm
house, where he met with very warm
greetings from the farmer and his wife.
aud dimpling smiles and shy bushes
from their daughter.
Among the very slimmest aud palest
of those who listened to the young
minister Sunday after Sunday, was
Louise, the daughter of helpless wi
dow, who had lived little out OF the
village, and who had therefore es-
capped the knowledge of Jerome for
some time.
Perhaps Louise's checks would have
had more color in them. and her eyes
less of that wistful tenderness, did not
the burden of her own invalid mother 5
support fall on her slight shoulders.
But day after day-on cold dark
days, when winds swept weiriiy by
the little ,cottage-on warm wooing
days, when her pulses throbbed with
longing to be out among the vioiets--
she sat quietly 1T the little window,
her brown head bent over the sewing
in her hands, the garments to be worn
by more fortunate ones than herself,
whcn she fashioned.
Jerome had noticed the girls sweet
patient face. and wondered why he
only saw it OH Sunday-wondcred
how il was he had never seen il in the
many homes that had been opened for
him 10 enter at, welcome guest.
But Gu5sic blue ewes had been
enough like yiolets 10 make him speed
lily forget the wistful brown ones, and
it was not until he had been installed
at Locust Hollow for three months,
and had begun to think that GuSsie
Eiliston would make a very sweet min
ister's wife, that accident brought him
to The door of the cottage which the
Widow Vennevale and her daughter
occupied.
1t was warm; the young man was
warm. too, and tired. from o long
ramble; he was thirsty, as we'll; and
so, after hesitating few moments,
knocked lightly on the open door. in-
tending to ask for glass OF water.
His knock had not been heard eyi
IDENTIFY, for nobody replied to it; ant
while he waited. low murmurine
voice reached him from within.
Il did my best mother" girlish tone:
answered wearily, land l thought i
very nice. often wonder how people
can say such harsh and cruel words tt
me, when try so hard to please them
Mother-my poor mother-it is very
hard to be poor; to be a woman, ant
poor-there is nothing harder in thi
whole wide worldr'
The sweet voice had taken more thai
WEAKNESS on its music. 1t becam'
passionate and bitter, and ended in
burst of sobs.
The young man was profoundl..
touched, but he lifted his hand one
more. and knocked more loudly.
This time he was heard, and ligh
but languid step crossed towards tn
door.
In q moment Louise Vennevale, wit
undried tears on her long lashes, wa
/ looking at him with wondering eyes
brown as hazel-nuts.
He held out his shapely hand.
You are one of my people, are yo1
notP" he questioned, with smile. 81
have not called before. but you vii
pardon that, and bid me enter-now
will you not?"
Certainly"
And she led him into the tiny room
where Mrs. Vennevale lay on a sofa
"Mamma," she said quietly, ''this i
Mr.. Grant. He has come to see you.
And. greatly TO the young man
disappointment, after placing 4 chai
for him beside the sofa, she glided ou
slight and graceful as spirit.
| He remained almost an hour cor
versing with the invalid. He hear
the pitlful story-too sadly frequent fo
men to mind it much to-day, IN thei
busy selfish lives; the struggle TO Eu
little home for wife and child by. th
stalwart young farmer, who had onl
his strong hands and strong heart t
rely on; then the long lingering Hines
of the woman, during which the tlr;
mortgage had fallen on the farm; the
the sudden death, by sunstroke, OF tn
man, and the helpless widows effort
to educate her only child, before a
= lowing her to take up the weary bul
den that now she had borne Tor for
years with gentlest patience.
1T breaks my heart to see her wor
at her sewing from morning till nign
and often half the night" Mrs. Venn'
vale said, in conclusion, her eyes dill
with tears. Aud sometimes she h;
! to take such insolence, too. That
very hard to bear. To-day Miss Gu
sic Eliiston came for dress she ha
left for Louise 10 make, aud she foun
SO much fault, and said such cruel
unkind things, that my heart ached Il
my daughter. Did you notice Louis
had been weeping when you can
g. in?''
Il noticed that she looked very pa
and weary, :" he answered, wondering
he had mistaken the character OF Mi
Gussie so completely, when ne though
she would be so sweet a minister
wife, so truly q hslpWsst to one vi